It was founded by Don Feinberg and Wendy Littlefield, owners of beer import company Vanberg & DeWulf and three Belgian breweries including Duvel Moortgat.

Ommegang started up in a purpose-built building based on a traditional Belgian farmhouse, set on a former 136-acre (0.55-square-kilometer) hop farm in the Susqehanna River Valley, four miles (6 kilometers) south of Cooperstown, New York, on County Route 33 in the town of Milford.

Since its opening, Ommegang has grown rapidly; in early 2005, its owner said they have been unable to meet demand for their ales and as a result would add 40 percent to their production capacity over the next year.

Brewery Ommegang distributes its beers in 46 states and the District of Columbia, including Alaska and Hawaii but excluding Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Mississippi.

The event, which occurs on a Saturday in July or August, includes seven hours of unlimited sampling of over 200 Belgian and Belgian-style beers followed by food, live music, and a bonfire.