Three Philosophers Belgian Style Blend (Quadrupel) - Brewery Ommegang

falloutsnow

Illinois

3.1/5  rDev -25.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Brewed in 2004.
A: Pouring into a large wine glass, a thin, light-tan head is produced over the dark amber liquid. The minimal head fades within a minute, leaving a few clusters of foam around the glass. Vigorously swirling and smelling allows the beer to streak lacing down the glass' sides, enhancing its display.
S: Dominating the scent is the maltiness of the beer; aside from the requisite alcohol scent, I detect little else. The Belgian yeast seems to be buried underneath and only the slightest of hints of the cherry lambic filter through. There does not seem to be any bittered fruit or plum, fig, raisin smells as one can encounter from the style, especially when mixed with kriek.
T: As foreshadowed by the smells, most of the beer seems to be focused on its malt aspects; clearly, the bulk of this beer is devoted towards its caramel malt origins. The sweetness is tempered by a mild peppery and yeast taste as one would expect from a Belgian ale. No detectable hop presence, but it does finish with a slight alcohol taste. From my perspective, the people who claim to taste cherries and chocolate are either playing up the effect or letting their expectations cloud their senses; I could detect very little. There are other quadrupels with more balance tethered to scent and flavor depth/undertones than this one, hence the average.
M: Light to medium mouthfeel with a well-designed amount of carbonation to make the beer smooth and go down pleasantly.
D: Three Philosophers did not come across as well-balanced or providing much in terms of depth or subtle flavors/smells. The malt power is just "on part" for the style. Given its high alcohol content without much reward in terms of other aspects, this one doesn't strike me as much to rave about. Perhaps 2004 was a bad year...

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2006 01:26:25 | More by falloutsnow

pin

Australia

3/5  rDev -27.5%

05-22-2013 04:38:47 | More by pin

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +2.7%

05-22-2013 02:40:53 | More by SmellsofMahagony

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