I haven't mentioned Ommegang's Rare Vos in something like seven years of being aware of it. I haven't mentioned other things but I keep them to myself. It is called a Belgian-Style Amber Ale on the neck label. Sad that the regulators of such things couldn't have settled on Belgianesque instead of that "-style". Maybe it should be "-arama." Belgianarama... -esque.
Amber also becomes a difficult word with a beer like this. It's like calling something very medium. What quality is it supposed to convey? The brewer actually goes on and on about it. At 6.5% it is reasonably quaffable, enhanced by the soft water characteristic of central New York as well as a measure of richness. Grainy with caramel along with little wee nods to apple, raisin and tobacco. Black tea hoppiness sits there quietly doing its job. It gives off floral aromas that may well include orange but could as easily be a hedge in mid-June. Earthy and green twig.
Fabulous and understated. Was there ever greater BAer love for a beer you can buy for $7.50 a corked 750 ml at a grocery store near me? One of the best values in beer going. How do they do it?
Comments
Nat - May 11, 2010 9:33 PM
I hate the term "amber' in a beer name. It is too open-ended a term, which like you say, generally leads to "something very medium." I need to revisit Rare Vos and avoid looking at the word 'amber," but I don't suspect it will be $7.50 here in Southern California.
zak - May 13, 2010 2:44 PM
I don't know how they do it, but I just stocked a 1/6 barrel of the Rare VOS for CHEAPER than what Leinenkugels comes in at. Go figure.
peter conway - December 30, 2010 11:23 PM
I have been to Belgium many times and drank their wonderfull beers, but Rare Vos, from the good old USA, is the best