Brewery Ommegang - Cooperstown, NY - Belgian Brewery

Brewery Ommegang is located south of Cooperstown, NY at 656 County Highway 33. Cooperstown is located at the southernmost end of Otsego Lake, one of the Finger Lakes. In 1997, the building was built specifically for the creation of Belgian-inspired beer-making. Don Feinburg built the facility in a tradition Belgian farmhouse style. In 2003, Feinburg sold Ommegang to the Duvel Moortgat Brewery. The Duvel Mortgat Brewery is a Belgian brewery that was founded in 1871 and is located in Belgium. The current Ommegang Brewmaster is Phil Leinhart.

Brewery Ommegang currently produces five Belgian ales. The five ales they produce are: Hennepin (a Saison ale), Ommegang Abbey Ale, Witte (Witbier), Rare Vos (amber ale), Three Philosophers (Quadrupel & Kriek blend). The first brew of Ommegang is the Abbey Ale. This beer has a dark red color and was inspired by the brewing methods of Trappist monks. It has a strong aroma with hints of spice and fruits. It has an 8.5% apv. Accordingly, it is served with meat entrees and strong flavored foods.

The Hennepin Farmhouse Saison is one of Ommegang's popular brews. The word "saison'' means "season'' in French. Thus, this Hennepin is developed from brewing traditions in the French-speaking areas of Belgium. Saisons were developed in order to refresh laborers. The Hennepin made by Ommegang has a 7.7% apv. Hennepin has notes of both coriander and ginger. Like all saisons, Hennepin has a rich golden color and, as such, is matched with foods like poultry, seafood, Asian cuisine, and breads and cheeses.

Ommegang's Rare Vos Amber Ale is an award winning brew. The ale is named after a bar in Brussels and is a medium color ale with caramel and orange flavors. This brew was the 2008 Great American Beer Fest winner. This ale is served with bar and cafy foods as well as general dinner meals.

The Brewery is located on 136 acres of land which includes areas for picnics. Visitors make take a guided tour of the brewery and sample the five all-season brews that Ommegang produces. Group tours are available and interested parties can contact 800-544-1809 for more information. Tours are available daily from 11am - 6pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day. In the winter, tours are available between 12pm - 5pm. The Brewery is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.

The brewing process at Ommegang is an 8-step process. Using well water and imported European hops, the ingredients are then sent to the kitchen to make "wort.'' Wort is the liquid, or "sugar water'' made from the mashing process. Each batch of wort takes 9 hours to make and the Brewery can create 3 batches per day. After the fermentation and filtering process, Ommegang bottles their ales. The Brewery bottles both 750ml and 12 ounce bottles. The 750 ml bottles are made in France and are imported specifically for Ommegang brews. The Brewery bottles roughly 3,000 12 ounce bottles an hour. Overall, the entire process for a bottle of Ommegang brew takes five weeks.

The gift shop, named The Belgian Shop, provides visitors with the opportunity to purchase mementos of their visit. There are t-shirts, cookbooks, bar towels, chocolates, and cases of beer available. The store hours are the same as the Brewery's.