Three Philosophers Belgian Style Blend (Quadrupel) - Brewery Ommegang

wolfinthemirror

Oklahoma

3.15/5  rDev -23.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Pours a deep red to burgundy color, fairly dark, not much light can be seen through it, but enough to see some sediment. a fair half inch of head results from the pour.

Smells of sweet cherries, some malts, and alcohol. that's about it.

As in the smell, there is a strong tart cherry taste with sweetness. spicy Belgian yeast flavors are tucked behind some malt, pungent cinnamon and booze. The dominant alcoholic- cherry flavor tastes medicinal and reminds me somewhat of cough syrup, it's a little too much.

medium bodied and highly carbonated and crisp.

I don't find this beer to be very drinkable. Honestly, it doesn't go down too easy for me, but it is more of a sipping beer to enjoy over the course of an hour. I bought a 4 pack and didn't drink the last beer until a month and a half later. A good beer to try, but I don't think I'll be buying it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2011 05:25:32 | More by wolfinthemirror

barleywinebrewer

New Hampshire

3.13/5  rDev -24.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I had a chance to try this last night. I had a 2004 mid June last year and was not impressed. this one was a non-corked style 16 oz bottle so I thought I'd revisit given time and the new packaging.

A - Ruby black with a high level of carbonation. Takes a while but the head dissipates with very little lacing.

S - I hate to say it, but cherry cough syrup but a shade less sweet. Definite alcohol presence.

T- Similar to how it smells. Medicinal with some slight cherry notes.

M - not quite syrupy but close to cloying. This is a thick brew which is not necessarily a bad thing but this time it didn't work for me.

D - A sipping beer. I think the smaller packaging is great because 750ml is too much for one person in a sitting IMO.

I think this is a love it or hate it brew. I like many of Ommegang's products but this one will not be on my buy list.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2006 13:07:43 | More by barleywinebrewer

MiScusi

California

3.13/5  rDev -24.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

2007, 12oz bottle.

A- dark reddish brown, beige and yellowish head.

S- dark fruit, Belgian yeast, smells like most dubbels to me, maybe a bit sweeter.

T- Stars out tasting sweet almost like a mild fruit juice. The cherry is pretty muted but its there in the middle. finishes dry and with a real earthy, dirt taste. I really like the start of the taste but do not like the aftertaste much.

M/D- pretty good here. Medium, has a bit of body on it but for a big beer it's still relatively light. Interesting beer but not something I would probably order again.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2008 05:52:19 | More by MiScusi

jacobseyb

Alabama

3.13/5  rDev -24.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A=deep brown, one finger of head, slightly off white

S=interesting smell almost creamy, some fruitiness

T=similar to smell, creamy, some maltiness and fruitiness

M=thick and fluffy, good carbonation feel

D=overall too creamy and sweet to be very drinkable.

Not one of my favorites

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2009 02:10:00 | More by jacobseyb

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.13/5  rDev -24.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

2009 12oz bottle into a tulip style glass in the late afternoon of a sunday. This was one of my 1st craft beers around eight years ago.

Hisss as the cap was pryed off, three philosophers pours out a mixture of muddy waters brown sprinkled with some red spots from the cherry addition. As the liquid reached 1/2 way up top a dark beige head exploded upwards looking beautiful. Straggely lace.

On first whiffs, it's apparent this quad was not made in Belgium, It's just not sweet enough for all that. There is a nice mixture of sweet malt, cherries, plums, chocolate, nuts and alcohol. This is a freshie so the alcohol I kinda expected. Seems to meld better with warming.

Im first greeted by a malt blast that's kinda sweet kinda caramele kinda whatever. After that the cherries poke their heads through giving off a cherry pie vibe. It's amazing the amount of cherries come through from just a 2% addition. A bit of chocolate but for some reason the residual sugar vibe I get out of foreign quads is lost altogether. 3P needs more sugar, preferably the turbinado kind.

Feels a bit thin for the style, I would say it's a healthy medium with a low amount of carb. Im used to low carbed quads so there is that. Small bursts of alcohol in spots depending how I swish it in the mouth, but no heat of any kind.

I think I know why I have not had this in awhile, it's just underwhelming in many area's andI remember those same thoughts from years ago. It's pretty drinkable but after 6oz's or so I was pretty much done with it. The bottle says this is ageable for up to five years, but I don't see this getting any better, it's just not that complex enough as it is.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2010 01:13:27 | More by onix1agr

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

malcontent

Illinois

3.1/5  rDev -25.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Deep red/brown poured into a snifter; not opaque but very hazy with very sturdy lacing after the head dies down. Definitely one of those beers that simply look like they must taste good.

Man! Flat-out loaded with fragrances. Sour cherry, roasted malt, English toffee, cream sherry & many others that my still-budding nose will be able to detect with more training. Looks & smells like a winner, just need to let it warm up a bit.

Hmm…tart (cherry) at first, but then spreads across the palate with a harsh-bitterness; like over-roasted malt which leaves a rather unwelcome aftertaste. Definite alcohol presence with a bread-like flavor in the back end, almost a marble rye. Not very enjoyable thus far but I think I’ll take Jason’s advice & pair it with some Danish blue.

After pairing with the cheese I must say there is some improvement in taste; the unsavory aftertaste is certainly reduced. However, I’m still just not wild about this beer.

Has a nice bubbly texture but then coats the mouth with some unwelcome astringency. That aside, it’s not nearly as heavy a brew as I’d expected & thus, if it’s to your taste, makes for a pretty drinkable beverage.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2006 03:14:23 | More by malcontent

meday

New Hampshire

3.1/5  rDev -25.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured into two chalices.

A beautiful rich amber color with a thick off-white head. Long-standing head and lots of lace.

A very faint caramel smell. With a head like that, I was expecting more aroma.

Cinnamon and spice, honey, grass, but what was dominating was the black pepper. It was very biting in the flavor.

Decent mouthfeel considering the biting flavor. A bit of a bitter aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2009 14:26:02 | More by meday

Overlord

California

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

Decided to re-try a few of these Ommegang brews and put in some reviews.

Pours a hazy/cloudy brown with ruddy hues when held to light. Gigantic billowing off-white foam head.

Smells like fruit laden yeasty bread, surprising amount of cherry, and some spice.

Flavor adds add in Belgian candi, a strange astringent ... yeasty spiciness. A bit watery and thin, but some bubbling carbonation. I don't know. It's basically a sweet Belgian dark ale with a bit of puckery cherry to it. Just too astringent, yet cloyingly spicy sweet at same time.

As you work through the bottle (Even a 12 oz.er), it gets wearisome.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2009 06:38:44 | More by Overlord

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

3.08/5  rDev -25.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

Appearance - clear ruby color. Thin tan head has large watery bubbles and reduces to a covering before too long, but it's a rather attractive brew. (1/19/09 - a rather hazy ruby this time, from a well-rested bottle, so quite a range is possible)

Aroma - sweet, dark fruit (dark red cherries obviously, like Bing cherries), deeply rich smelling with an easily detectable alcohol smell. Not very intense, but foreboding, maybe.

Taste - tart cherry, a little nuttiness picked up on top of some thick maltiness. And did I mention some alcohol? Crikey, you could serve this in a shot glass. Very strong in that department. Lots of bubbles help usher in some lambic funkiness, a bit subdued and a good idea for this beer. Ends rather sour, almost acrid, like Cherry Vicks 44D, but not entirely unpleasant. Overall, an interesting but very boozy tasting beer. Some elements kick up the score but a few other elements knock it back down IMO.

Mouthfeel - very alive with bubbles, they fill the mouth with foam at times if you take a good swig. Good body and a very warm residue.

Drinkability - a decent beer but not really repeatable. A beer tasting kind of thing or an alternative way to wind down a busy day instead of wine.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2004 17:03:04 | More by brewdlyhooked13

jvajda

Ohio

3.05/5  rDev -26.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Appearance: Deep brown color with hints of red and a thick, small head.
Smell: Bitterness and tartness, but fresh.
Taste: Pretty much what I expected. A quad with a little bit of cherry in it. It's very well balanced in terms of hops/malt. Not as complex and hearty as I'd prefer in a quad. The cherry flavor gets old pretty quick.
Mouthfeel: Lighter than most quads.
Drinkability: I was done with this after one glass. Unfortunately I had a lot more I needed to drink. Huh.
Notes: 2003 Edition.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2004 03:37:10 | More by jvajda

rmcnealy

Illinois

3.05/5  rDev -26.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Three Philosopher's - Belgian Style Blend

Pours dark cola color with a light mocha head. Head remains with a consistent lace that lasts. Smell includes a honey richness. Small hints, minimal, cherry that appears after consumption. Is a thin mouthfeel, not heavy like other Quad's I've tried. Definitely a US interpretation of a Belgian quad. The high ABV is masked by a light taste. Overall decent. May try other Ommegang brews.

Bought at Binny's in Elmwood Park, IL

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2007 23:20:01 | More by rmcnealy

GeoffFromSJ

New Jersey

3.03/5  rDev -26.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

This beer was quite complex. Chilled, it is not very good. As it warms up, it becomes much more pleasant. It tastes good at first, but it has something in the aftertaste which is quite off-putting. I cannot tell what that is. I am very curious what the underlying beer mixed with the lambic is. I love lambic, and I enjoy the one they used. I may or may not like the underlying ale. I may just not like the combination. The flavors didn't seem to complement each other. This is worth the try, but I will not be having this again.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2003 04:54:33 | More by GeoffFromSJ

TheLiterati

California

3.03/5  rDev -26.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Lovely mahogany-hued ale with cherry lambic added, poured into a Duvel tulip.

Subtle, pleasant cherry aroma, with vanilla-oak undertones. Underlying presence of raisins and dates as well, which bouquet nicely as it warms.

I was afraid the cherry lambic would overwhelm but it doesn’t. This is a mostly malty ale with a fruity finish, though all in all, there’s nothing overly distinctive that I can say about the taste. In fact, as the label states, the sweet caramel malt and dark cherries do in fact “confound” my tongue – just not in the best way.

Smooth mouthfeel is achieved with a mild carbonation balanced with a nice creaminess.

Glad I had a chance to sample it. I might like to try this with a nice fruit tart or truffle some other time.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2006 06:42:23 | More by TheLiterati

bnes09

Illinois

3.03/5  rDev -26.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Amber-cherry in color. Thin, soda-like, off-white head with poor retention. Not much lacing either.

Can't get much in the smell department. Pretty clean and grainy.

Bread grains in the flavor. Cherry character adds sweetness and tartness to the mix. Mild herbal hop.

Medium to full bodied. Harsh, soda-like bubbles. Way overcarbonated!

I was thoroughly disappointed with this beer. I expected something exceptional and got a beer which is average at best. Nothing about this impressed me. Lacked depth and character.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 04:05:33 | More by bnes09

hopfacebrew

Colorado

3.03/5  rDev -26.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Based on a recommendation by the beer guy I purchased a 2011 bottle. Poured to tulip the beer arrives a fairly clear dark amber with a decent 2 finger off-white head. Good retention and lacing. A lot of yeast particles though, even after proper handling and aging in the cellar. The nose is fruity sweet with cherry as well as hints of toffee, caramel malts, and plum character. The flavor follows the nose with caramel malty sweetness that doesn't display the cherry flavor as indicated with the nose. More fig. Alcohol warmth is noticeable. Hints of banana from the yeast. Full bodied and well carbonated but unremarkable. Overall, this is very average in my opinion. Nothing really remarkable to review and at $10 I can find better Quads.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2012 14:43:35 | More by hopfacebrew

engagechad

Virginia

3/5  rDev -27.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

This bottle was purchased as a 3 pack with other ommegang beers. Poured into an ommegang glass.

Poured wonderfully with great head. Head looked like pancake batter. Deep ruby mahogany in color, similar to the arrogant bastard. Smelled of bread, biscuits and spices. Taste was mighty boozy for me and difficult to enjoy because of the booze affect. Felt good and wasn't very drinkable for mer personally.

*I may revisit this beer in a year or two as my palate refines

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2011 13:27:16 | More by engagechad

Ragingbull

California

2.98/5  rDev -28%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Light brown in color and cloudy with a thick foam head. Fruity and malty nose. Smooth attack with an extremely fruity and thick malt flavor. Very thick and heavy mouthfeel. The flavor of the fruit and the malt intensifies at the finish. The flavors weren't my favorite and the intensity is a downer on drinkability for me. Perhaps I just haven't had enough Quads to know what a truly good one is, but this just didn't do it for me.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2009 12:30:05 | More by Ragingbull

Naes

New York

2.95/5  rDev -28.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

The appearance is cloudy brown with a light tan head that is quite sticky and frothy.

Smell is of cherries and other fruitiness.

The flavor is earthy and sweet. This beer has quite a unique and complex taste. Alcohol is also present.

Its mouth feel is full bodied and almost syrupy.

Drinkability is low. This is a sipping beer for sure and at 9.8% you had better take your time with this one.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2005 04:53:37 | More by Naes

TheDM

Indiana

2.93/5  rDev -29.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

This brew pours a small head of light brown moslty lasting bubbles and a brown colored body. It had a strong bubblegum and alcohol aroma with an overpowering alcohol flavor. THe alcohol flavor was so strong I couldn't get passed it to any of the other flavors than may have been present.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2003 22:49:43 | More by TheDM

treehugger02010

Pennsylvania

2.93/5  rDev -29.2%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This was a very strong and intense beer. I didn't really like it just for that reason. Overall it was just to hopy for me. It did have a nice color and feel, however. On another note, I am looking for someone to tell me what book(s) or place will teach me more about what I need to know in order to appreciate beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2006 00:54:23 | More by treehugger02010

roblowther

Texas

2.93/5  rDev -29.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Pours a ruby black-brown with a thin tan head that leaves a bit of lacing. The smell is leather, baked cherries and phenols. Very different. The taste is bitter up front, then tart cherries, then a rum-fruit flavor. There are some raisins in there. Interesting but very odd. The finish is dusty dry. I love quadrupels and I really like lambics. This....is just not for me. The mouthfeel is silky and carbonated, right on the money. The drinkability is limited by the acidic leather taste up front and the dry dry finish. Nice try but I'd have to recommend several of their other beers over this one.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2007 01:26:28 | More by roblowther

goblue3509

Pennsylvania

2.93/5  rDev -29.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours a dark amber brownish color with a little one finger head that gave way to some lacing. The smell is of black cherries and sweet roasted malts. The taste is a strong malt backbone with black cherries overriding the malt at the tail end. There is also an alcohol taste from middle to end, there is a good deal of bitterness that starts at the beginning and is present throughout. The mouthfeel is a little slick and oily, with a low to moderate carbonation, not as high as i would have thought. This beer is below average on drinkablility, it is very strong and a little overpowering in the middle.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2009 13:30:34 | More by goblue3509

jampics2

Ohio

2.93/5  rDev -29.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 (11.2?) oz bottle @ the Winking Lizard. Poured carefully into an open mouthed glass.

Looks really nice. Plum and brown with amber edges, a half finger white head sticks around forever (it's still there, they had to throw out the glass).

Smells lke some dark ripe fruit. Plum, cherry, raisins, brown sugar and Belgian yeast. Some noticeable alcohol.

Taste is rather underwhelming. I've had this beer a ton in the past, I'm a fan of quads, but this is just too ambitious and too transparent for me. I'd love a bit more yeasty esters, but instead I get dark fruit, brown sugar, vanilla, booze, and puke. I'm not kidding. The aftertaste from this beer tastes like vomit from someone who has been drinking raisin vodka. Disgusting.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied, creamy carb, and tons of heat from the obvious alcohol.

Drinkability suffers from the hotness. I have a 2006 bottle in the cellar and will re-rate, but this beer just falls waaaay short of the legends of quadrupel fame.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2010 19:34:55 | More by jampics2

harrymel

Washington

2.93/5  rDev -29.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

2010

A: pours a chocolate leather ale with two fingers of graham head which falls to a thick quilt in a couple minutes. The quilt dies down to a thin, broken sheet in a few more minutes. Where light can shine, clarity is excellent and reveals a nice caramel ale. Scantly spotty lacing.

S: Yeast is up front here and and maintains throughout as the baseline. There are some earthy hops and hints of candy sugar, but really seems one dimensional from this aspect. some hints of pear juice.

T: Yeast and pear juice. Some faint metallic flavors. The yeast is a little more subdued here but thrives once again in the finish. The alcohol here is well presented and only hints at it's presence. I keep going back to the pear flavor, it's interesting.

M: Thin with high carb. Slightly satiating finish.

O: I think this is just average for a quad, honestly there's nothing here.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2011 11:19:01 | More by harrymel