Our sixth of 12 candidates for America's Next Top Beer ...

Ommegang Abbey Ale
Brewery Ommegang -- Cooperstown, N.Y.

A bit of Belgium in upstate New York, Brewery Ommegang may well be the gold standard of craft brewers. The Cooperstown company offers a full fleet of Belgian beers, but the head of the class is their Abbey Ale, which Joe Sixpack hails as a "benchmark" brew.

A rich amber canvas touched with brush strokes of dried fruit, plums, honey, clove, toffee and a host of other surprises, this rich, ruby brew grabbed a gold medal at last month's World Beer Cup. No wonder the Beer Sommelier calls Brewery Ommegang one of beer's "next big things." Others, like us, just call it "awesome."

The final word:

The Beer Sommelier: "Complex"
Joe Sixpack: "Asgoodasyoucangetfrombelgium"
Marty Wombacher: "Glug"

To see a roundup of all the nominated beers, and to get more information on our Microbrewed Beer of the Month giveaway, check out our America's Next Top Beer hub.

Which microbrew should be America's Next Top Beer?
AleSmith Anvil ESB Ale104 (1.2%)
Alpha King252 (2.9%)
B.O.R.I.S. the Crusher Oatmeal-Imperial Stout 411 (4.8%)
Bell's Two-Hearted Ale882 (10.3%)
Brooklyn Lager649 (7.5%)
Cigar City Brewing Jai Alai IPA 262 (3.0%)
Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA1198 (13.9%)
Lagunitas Brewing's IPA417 (4.9%)
New Belgium Brewing's Fat Tire Amber2488 (28.9%)
Ommegang Abbey Ale369 (4.3%)
Stone Pale Ale1204 (14.0%)
Surly Brewing Co.'s Furious361 (4.2%)