Well, I certainly hope you all had as nice a Labor Day celebration as I did, spending most of my Sunday with the biggest bunch of partiers I know – my co-workers! Dave, founder and owner of KegWorks, invited all of us to share the last official party weekend of the summer with him at his lake house on vast, majestic Lake Ontario. The weather was perfect – low 80′s, lots of sun – and complimented by a pig roast like none other (the barbecue was the best!).

Of course, as one might assume working for a place like KegWorks, the beer selection was out of this world. From Summer Ales to Belgian brews, malt liquors (ahem, that’s premium malt liquor, to you!) to home brewed stouts, every sense was inundated with bits of summer. Dave made sure to keep everyone in constant supply.

One of my favorites from the celebration was one I have wanted to try for over a year now. Ommegang Rare Vos Amber Ale. What a tasty treat! The coppery colored brew offered a full, creamy head, with a nose that lightly reminded of fresh citrus – more orange than anything else. My first taste had hints of caramel mingling with the hops, which danced with mild fruitiness – not like a fruit-infused beer, but moreso from the yeast used in brewing.

This brew was great as a stand-alone beer, or as a compliment to our succulent swine roast. It didn’t overpower any of the food I enjoyed, but wasn’t so light that it wouldn’t make a fantastic evening sipping beer, without food to accompany it.

Indeed, it was a Labor Day to remember. Did any of you get a chance to taste something new this weekend? We’d love to hear about it!

Cheers!

TAGS [ OMMEGANG | RARE VOS | AMBER ALE | BEER REVIEWS | LABOR DAY | BEER REVIEW ]