OK, OK, I know already, September 30^th is a bit early to start on the winter beers, but there I was at Stout’s Growlers in Canton and, well, they had Ommegang Lovely, Dark and Deep pouring, and well, I couldn’t resist. I tried a sip of this luscious oatmeal stout before buying and the rest, as they say, is history.

Wait though, you say, doesn’t Ommegang already have a winter seasonal beer? They do; Ommegang Adoration Ale. Don’t worry, though, you’ll still see it on store shelves this year. Ommegang Lovely, Dark and Deep is an addition to that wonderful beer, not a replacement.

From the website:

Brewed with a rich blend of malts including chocolate malt, midnight wheat, and flaked oats, and given a small addition of lactose, Lovely, Dark and Deep has a hint of sweetness and a smooth body. The beer is hopped with Bravo and Styrian Golding hops and Ommegang’s signature house yeast is used in both primary and secondary fermentation.

Ommegang Lovely, Dark and Deep has an alcohol content of 5.3% by volume. It’s sold in 4-packs and on draft; I paid an insanely reasonable $6.25 for a 32-ounce growler at Stout’s.

Ommegang Lovely, Dark and Deep pours to a jet black color with a thin creamy head of tan foam and a soft chocolaty nose. Taking a sip, the beer is thick and rich and very bittersweet dark chocolaty with light roast and the smooth silky notes that oats impart. The beer has hints of coffee, more delicious dark bakers chocolate notes, and really starts to burst with cocoa chocolate flavors as it warms.

The only thing holding it back is a slight thinness in body-am I asking for too much if I want a bit more? Otherwise, though, this is wonderful and a true winter treat. Don’t miss it!



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