Mill Street Brews

Gnomegeddon
By: Brewery Ommegong, Cooperstown, NY

Style: Belgian Blonde Ale
ABV: 9.5%
IBUs: 26

If you say to yourself, haven’t I read this before?  The answer is yes and no.
First, I give you credit for your long-term memory, and while Mill Street Liquor only has so many square feet, they do a good job of turning over their inventory as new beers come out, and the seasons change. I hope I never have to duplicate a review just to fill space.
Second, technically this is a repeat of the Gnomegang Blonde Ale review from Jan. 3.
The difference? This variety was bottle conditioned with the wild and funky Brettanomyces.
This self described barnyard funk beer is reminiscent of many Belgians and saison style beers, that tend to be bottle fermented with a brett yeast, or similar, producing a slightly (or overpoweringly, depending on your tongue and the brewer) sour taste, with a dry finish.
On their website, Ommegong says this of their Belgian Blonde: Belgian-style blonde ale, brewed with chouffe yeast and bottle conditioned with Ommegong yeast. A brillant golden hue, with delicate flavors of light caramel and candy sweetness. known to attract Gnomes and envious friends.
From the moment I popped the cork (yes, like a wine bottle), I knew I was in for something special as the delicate aroma wafted to my nose.
The beer poured slightly hazy, due to the yeast in the bottle from secondary fermentation, with nice carbonation and lasting head.
The nose is full of herbs, fruit, clove, and cardamom.
The taste is wonderful. Fruit dominates the front with pepper and herbs followed by at the end. The mouthfeel is strong carbonation and bubbles. You do get a champagne dryness on the finish, yet there is a crisp quality as well. Again, referring to their own description of the brewery in general, and this beer in particular: We started brewing Gnomegang in 2010 as a collaboration with our friends over at Brasserie d’Achouffe in Belgium and it quickly became a fan and staff favorite. Chouffe’s fruity, spicy yeast is a signature found in every Chouffe beer, and a welcome addition in this impactful blonde ale.
Gnomegang has a rich, translucent golden hue with a big, fluffy, white head. Distinctive clove aromas, combined with yeasty fruitiness typical of Chouffe beers. Flavors include ripe fruit, clove, light caramel, non-cloying candy sweetness, smooth maltiness, and well-balanced hopping. Dry, warming finish that lingers gracefully.  
Be warned that the 9.5% ABV makes this a sipper, rather than a quencher, and it might be best to share this with a friend as the bomber bottle is more than twice the volume of the normal 12 oz. bottle.
 Grab a bottle of each and see if you note the difference of the wilder Gnomeggedon.º

Lake Mills Graphic

204 N. Mill Street
Lake Mills, IA 50450

Office Number: (641) 592-4222
Fax Number: (641) 592-6397

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