Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, NY has recently gained publicity due to their series of beers inspired by the hit HBO series Game of Thrones. Before this popular collaboration Ommegang was know predominantly for their wide range of year-round and seasonal Belgian style ales. Since I am spending the Spring focusing the blog on a Belgian style of beer, it is critical to include a selection from Ommegang. While they make a popular and delicious flagship saison called Hennepin, I chose to try Ommegang’s Spring seasonal saison, Glimmerglass. James Fenimore Cooper nicknamed a lake in Cooperstown Glimmerglass due to the amazing reflections of the surrounding hills, and Ommegang decided it was a fitting name for their Spring seasonal. The beer is distributed through most of the country in 12 oz bottles and on draft.
Ommegang Glimmerglass pours straw gold, slightly cloudy with a large but quickly dissipating white head. The smell is all Belgian yeast, fruity esters and spice along with a little citrus and must. The taste starts with the yeast too, green apple, pepper, pear and a touch of orange. The malts are present, contributing flavors of grain, biscuits and crackers. The hops are pretty mild, adding some floral and woodsy notes and just a hint of bitterness. The beer has a light mouthfeel and is very easy to drink. At 5.4% ABV it is on the light side compared to many saisons, good for drinking on the porch on a warm afternoon. The finish is pretty clean with a little malt sweetness and spice lingering on the tongue. This is a solid and drinkable saison, perfect for the warm weather to come. Hoppy Boston score: 4.0/5.
Hoppy Boston 
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