October 05, 2003
Even the weather was Belgian!
On Saturday, October 4, 
brother Al and I endured a hard rain, steady wind, and 45 degree temperatures to attend Brewery Ommegang's sixth birthday party. The trip to the brewery took just under 90 minutes, and we were very chilly when we stepped out of the car. The gentleman directing cars said, "The weather may not be perfect, but it's just like this in Belgium, so it's authentic!" There were less than 100 vehicles there when we arrived (about 1:30 PM) and still fewer as the day went on. Those in attendance seemed to be having a good time, and we intended to join them.
Brewery Ommegang is housed in a large barn built just for the brewery. One wing of the barn houses the shop and the brewing operation; the other side houses the bottling and aging rooms. A driveway runs between the wings, and an arch over the driveway houses the brewery's offices. Tents were set up outside and provided adequate shelter from the rain. We headed straight for the tent where tickets for beer purchases were being sold. Once we had the tickets, we shivered our way to the tent where Ommegang's beers were being poured. They were providing:
- Ommegang, their signature beer. This brew is a strong (8.5% ABV) and malty brew with spicy accents of caraway and star anise.
- Rare Vos, the mildest and lowest-alcohol beer made by the brewery; the name means "Sly Fox" in Flemish
- Hennepin, a yeasty, strong, light-colored "farm house" beer named for the a Belgian monk and explorer of Quebec and "Nouvelle France" in the late 1600's, Louis Hennepin.
- Piet van Dyck white, a white beer released in limited quantities at the Belgium Comes to Cooperstown festival earlier this year
- Duvel, a strong Belgian ale poured from bottles (everything else was on draft).
- Three Philosophers, a very strong (9.7% ABV) "quadrupel" ale. It's very malty and has fruity -- especially cherry -- notes.
After we each had had a Three Philosophers, Al and I felt a bit warmer. We ventured to the barn to check out the brewing operation. I've had the good fortune of visiting the brewery several times over the years and was able to explain the operation to Al, since it seemed we kept missing the tour guide. The shop was crowded with beer lovers buying beer, merchandise 
such as t-shirts and hats, and Belgian treats like chocolate and fruit spreads. The doors for the barn were open and we glimpsed the subtle colors of the just-changing trees.
Now we were warm and ready for another draft. As we headed outside, we noticed that the band, Feu de Joie, had begun playing inside the main tent. A three-piece group playing traditional music from France, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and America, they were a perfect fit for the event and its atmosphere. Their name means "fire of joy", and they are based in Richfield Springs, about 25 minutes from Cooperstown.
Our next draft was Hennepin, just tart and yeasty enough to pack a punch against the damp chill in the air. We enjoyed it as we watched the band and the people. One group was there from Binghamton, NY representing various car enthusiast organizations. They drove their classic cars to the event and they all had jackets identifying their crew. We also noticed many cars with New Jersey and Pennsylvania plates.
Food was also available. Belgian waffles were the highlight of our food day: Made with Pearl Sugar and cooked fresh and hot as we waited, they were fabulously hot, sweet, and chewy, with no need for any toppings. Also available were roasted corn on the cob (excellent - I had mine with Tabasco sauce) and roast pig. We missed the pig roast but got to see a friendly Siberian Husky chow down on a large piece of leftover pork - he even ate the bones!
It is a shame that the weather was so poor, as a nicer day would certainly have resulted in a better-attended event and spread the word further about the great beers and activities emanating from Brewery Ommegang. Nonetheless, everyone seemed to have a great time and we will be back next year. Ommegang is a great place to base -- or extend -- a family trip to Cooperstown.
After Ommegang, we decided to take the four-minute drive to the Cooperstown Brewing Company in nearby Milford. Their beer selection was wonderful, though I prefer the stronger, intense beers we'd just had. The Benchwarmer Porter is my personal favorite -- it's got a roasted, chocolate flavor with a black color and a strong dose of hops. The brewery grows its own hops and uses them to finish its Nine Man Ale (a pale ale).
We closed out our trip with a quick stop in Cooperstown for souvenirs for our kids (our wives were getting Belgian chocolate purchased at Ommegang), then we set out for home. We are fortunate to live in an area where world-class beers, unusual events, and kids' activities are all so close.
Posted by jimj at October 5, 2003 10:50 AM | TrackBack