One day a bright star appeared in the night sky with such magnitude that it caught the attention of three Magi (wisemen or kings) in the east. The Magi knew the star announced the birth of the king of the Jews. They followed the star to Bethleham and found the baby Jesus. They worshipped him and presented precious gifts. Ommegang Brewery of Cooperstown, New York commemorates this event with Adoration, a spiced Belgian Strong Ale.
Adoration pours copper with a thin tan lacy head. Candy, malts, Belgian yeast and spices greet your nose. It smells delicious. Reminiscent of parent company Duvel’s famous ale, but with spices. The taste begins with sweet malts, plums, yeast, and spices. Ommegang uses a delicious spice assortment – coriander, cardamom, mace, grains of paradise, and sweet orange peel. The result is a balanced, complementary spice blend that avoids bitterness and the mess that some spice beers present. The mouthfeel is smooth with a touch of the 10% ABV booziness.
Adoration has the malt and alcohol backbone to be a great candidate for aging. I enjoyed the balance of the beer right now, and I’d like to try it again in a couple years with further blending of the spices. Adoration is a beer worthy of it’s name.
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