Cooperstown, New York

Cooperstown is a small town. Locals joke that they have “one stop light and a flag pole.” There is a farmer’s market every Saturday down an alley on Pioneer Street. When I first saw the main part of town I immediately thought of Mayberry, Mom, apple pie and baseball. For me, Cooperstown became the real-life approximation of small-town America. It is the embodiment of all that America holds dear:  our tradition and culture. To expand that distinction, Cooperstown is America. Seeing this first-hand, it became immediately apparent why the Baseball Hall of Fame is at home here. It also became apparent why Brewery Ommegang is equally at home here. How can the real-life version of Americana be the perfect place for a farmhouse-style brewery specializing in Belgian beer? Tradition and culture.

The backyard of Brewery Ommegang

Central and upstate New York was an important hop growing region in the 19th century, with Cooperstown an integral part of the industry. Appropriately, Brewery Ommegang was built on a formerhop farm. Founded and built in 1997, Ommegang sought to produce authentic Belgian-style ales. Blending American and Belgian tradition, its name came from a festival held in Brussels in 1549 to commemorate a visit by Emperor Charles V.  All of their beer is brewed with tradition in mind. Their ales are open-fermented and spiced with traditional Belgian ingredients such as grains of paradise, licorice root, star anise and coriander to name a few. Also according to tradition, each beer has its signature glass.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Current owners Duvel Moortgat cemented Brewery Ommegang’s place of prominence in brewing culture. Much like their other brands – Duvel, Liefmands, De Koninck, Chouffe and Boulevard Brewing – their focus is on maintaining the local culture and tradition of the brewery, creating a network of internationally known and respected local breweries. Much like the famed Baseball Hall of Fame exemplifies the great American past-time, the bastion of sports equality, Brewery Ommegang personifies the cultural blending that made America a great nation.

Stop by your local ABC to find a selection of Brewery Ommegang beers today. 

Stephen Schmitt, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits beer consultant - Tampa

Follow me on Twitter @abcbeerstephens