Three Philosophers Belgian Style Blend (Quadrupel) - Brewery Ommegang

Kallessin

Massachusetts

4.8/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

2008 Bottle (12oz):

Pours a deep hazy brown color with dark amber highlights. Has a somewhat smallish off-white head. A little sediment made it into the glass.

Has a fruity and spicy aroma with the cherries being the most prominent. Very malty and the alcohol is present along with some oakey/woody aromas.

Has a very rich, malty flavor with lots of cherries, with some molasses and brown sugar. The alcohol is not as prominent as the aroma would suggest and is very well hidden. This really has a fantastic flavor with the cherries pairing very well with the maltiness.

It's a lot lighter body then I expected, but it works very well. Smooth up front, followed by tingly carbonation. It has almost a juicy feel to it.

A really amazing beer. Very rich and flavorful. A perfect combination of cherries and full flavored malt. One of the those rare experiences with beer that makes you say wow when you taste it.

2009 Bottle (22oz):

This pours very similar to the 2008, but has much more of a head. A foamy cream color that stuck around for a short time.

It has much more grainy malt and sweet caramel in the aroma. The alcohol and the oakiness are still there, but the cherries are not as obvious.

The cherries are not as prominent in the flavor either. This flavor is much more fleeting. The malt is much more prevalent with some bready flavors and more bitterness.

It's a little more dry in the mouth, but otherwise it's much the same.

I happened to have both a 12oz bottle from 2008, which came in a mixed 12 pack and a 22oz bottle of 2009 from another gift pack that I received this Christmas (2009). I have to say the 2008 was much better. I'm thinking the extra year of aging much improved the flavor. My rating is based on the 2008 bottle, but both were great beers.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2010 01:22:57 | More by Kallessin

KYGunner

Kentucky

4/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

What a beautiful ale in both color and body. Deep ruby color, reminiscent of cherry, this quad has varying hues in different light. The head is light and fizzy and collars thickly around the edge. The effervescent bubbling keeps that collaring alive.

The scent is weaker than most quads but somewhat varied. Plum like aroma is at the front with a touch of crabapple. Hints of malt and cherry can be found amongst weaker scents of molasses and prune.

The feel is strong and thick and is certainly a sipper. There appears to be no alcohol tinnieness but there is a brief harshness at the swallow.

A bit of cherry, malt, sugary sweetness, date or prune, and a touch more cherry can all be found on the tongue. A bit tart and a touch of fig comes near the end. Overall, it's very good and with some minor tweaks to the flavor and feel it could be great.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 22:28:48 | More by KYGunner

Mendicant

Australia

5/5  rDev +20.8%

05-21-2013 05:31:37 | More by Mendicant

hopkrid

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +2.7%

05-21-2013 00:13:28 | More by hopkrid

tazzman

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -9.4%

05-20-2013 22:15:28 | More by tazzman

johntfox

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +2.7%

05-20-2013 22:01:03 | More by johntfox

tipfortap

New York

4.25/5  rDev +2.7%

05-20-2013 17:20:48 | More by tipfortap

Kmat10

Alberta (Canada)

4/5  rDev -3.4%

05-20-2013 05:03:07 | More by Kmat10

birdsellam

Indiana

3/5  rDev -27.5%

05-19-2013 18:15:51 | More by birdsellam

nick_asian

Nevada

4.25/5  rDev +2.7%

05-19-2013 07:21:18 | More by nick_asian

JohnG190

New York

4.66/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served in snifter at 50 degrees.

Appearance - hazy chestnut brown with two finger tan head that dissipates quickly. Nice lacing.

Aroma - cherries, caramel and sweet malt waft from the snifter.

Taste - hint of funk. Cherries, malt, and toffee finish off sweet.

Mouthfeel - smooth, medium body with lively carbonation.

Overall - well crafted ale that makes a perfect after dinner digestive.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 23:07:00 | More by JohnG190

travismiller80

Tennessee

4.5/5  rDev +8.7%

05-18-2013 17:29:25 | More by travismiller80

FCRICH

New York

4.25/5  rDev +2.7%

05-18-2013 02:24:51 | More by FCRICH

Emkehr

Connecticut

5/5  rDev +20.8%

05-17-2013 17:24:19 | More by Emkehr

ElizabethEleanor

Texas

5/5  rDev +20.8%

05-17-2013 03:15:03 | More by ElizabethEleanor

MSandahl23

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev +8.7%

05-17-2013 02:42:08 | More by MSandahl23

tnbeatty

Vermont

3/5  rDev -27.5%

05-17-2013 01:03:22 | More by tnbeatty

BushwyckCraft

New York

1/5  rDev -75.8%

05-17-2013 01:01:45 | More by BushwyckCraft

BradStokley

Maryland

2.75/5  rDev -33.6%

05-16-2013 19:34:50 | More by BradStokley

ajtorres311

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -15.5%

05-16-2013 15:36:46 | More by ajtorres311

AngusOg

Maryland

4/5  rDev -3.4%

05-16-2013 02:34:50 | More by AngusOg

wil19b85

Vermont

4.5/5  rDev +8.7%

05-16-2013 02:19:58 | More by wil19b85

georgiaboy8686

Maryland

4.75/5  rDev +14.7%

05-15-2013 22:24:34 | More by georgiaboy8686

JMS1512

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -3.4%

05-15-2013 19:27:53 | More by JMS1512

ElijahRivera

New York

4.5/5  rDev +8.7%

05-15-2013 03:10:18 | More by ElijahRivera