Three Philosophers Belgian Style Blend (Quadrupel) - Brewery Ommegang

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.1/5  rDev -1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2005 edition

Pours dark burgundy red into my Chimnay goblet with a 3 fingers tan head. Great "Belgian" lacing & very good head retention

Smell: Sourness & then woody, lactic notes.

Taste: Sour oaky notes up front, hints of cherry & choclate follow. Finishes tart & a vanilla oakyness

MF: Medium with a slight spritzyness.

Drinks pretty good, I think this is one to lay down for years. Worth it ($9.00 a bottle)

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2006 04:24:47 | More by russpowell

Gueuzedude

Arizona

4.33/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Brewed 2003, Sampled February 2004
As I pop the cork I get an immediate aroma of cherries. The cork did not pop very vigorously though, so it seems that this may not be very highly carbonated. It pours though with a vigourous carbonation. It is a muddy amber-ruby color and is toppped by a light brown thick head. There are meaty, malty, cherry, and alcoholic notes in the aroma. As my nose incorporates the aroma the smell of cherries fades and one is left with a spicy Belgian ale nose.

This beer has a creamy mouthfeel to it, but it is not too thick for a Belgian quadrupel, in fact it would be on the light side for some of that designation. It is fairly sweet, and finishes with an alcoholic astringency which is not all that strong. There is definitely some cherries in this beer, but I like that it is fairly subtle and is only one component of this beer. This beer has a soft acidity to it, that is not directly traceable to the Kriek addition. There are fruit notes of raisins, plums, and fig. Though it is sweet up front it finishes with a spicy astringent dryness that is evocative of some herb/ spice that I can't quite think of.

This is a very well made beer. You can tell that a world class brewer put this beer together. Having said that it is missing something; though it is quite complex a couple of other dimensions would be wonderful here. Perhaps a bit of acidity & a bit of Brettanomyces character would be wonderful (I know this is a ridiculous request as these things are not too controllable, but De Dolle gets some of this right, at least sometimes). A very rich beer that is quite satisfying, I definitely like this best of the Ommegang products.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2004 23:09:15 | More by Gueuzedude

emerge077

Illinois

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

Recently put on tap at Four Moon Tavern in Chicago.

Attractive argyle-pattern tap handle is recognized immediately as Ommegang, a slightly different color scheme than Hennepin, very classy. Pours with a small head into a tiny 3 Philosophers chalice. I'm guessing 10 oz., but wouldn't be surprised if it was 8 oz. Color glints ruby red through a chestnut body. Some lacing as this kiddie goblet is drained.

Aroma of Belgian yeast, malt, and stewed cherries. Kind of funky, it's restrained but nice enough.

Caramel toffee flavors, black cherry, low bitterness in the finish is the only indication of hops in the finish. Medium bodied with perceivable drying alcohol. It's about what I remember from the bottle I had a year or so ago. Not my favorite from Ommegang, but worth trying if you find it on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

11-24-2007 01:42:11 | More by emerge077

Halcyondays

California

3.78/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle, 2008 vintage,

A: Pours red-brown with a solid off-white head with excellent retention, some lacing.

S: A lot of sweet molasses with a hint of cherry.

T: Nice light brown sugar mixed with a lot a dark malt. The kriek, while being only 2% of the beer plays a more substantial role, adding a bit of fruit and medicinal character.

M: Mouthfeel is a bit on the light side for a close to 10% ale, off-dry finish, not bad.

D: Another quality ale and blend from the fellows at Ommegang, I wish it wasn't so pricey, it's good stuff. One of the very first beers I ever had, back in '05 I had it without knowing what it was and it really opened my eyes up to Belgian styles along with Orval, so I'm very thankful.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2008 03:04:56 | More by Halcyondays

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml caged and corked, solid bottle, 2011 edition.

This beer pours, after an ethereal snaking of post-pop smoke, a dark, hazy, red brick colour, with one finger of loose foamy off-white head, which wisps away rather quickly, leaving nada in the way of lace. It smells of sweet bready malt, cherry cough syrup, dark fleshy black fruit, and some salty licorice. The taste is caramel malt, readily consumed by a wallop of sassy dark fruit, mildly sour in its bearing, a subtle yeastiness, more Halls-esque medicinal cherry, some almost hidden clove notes, and the big ABV crazily well obfuscated. The carbonation is quite sedate, just an updraft here and there, the body medium weight, and innocuously smooth. It finishes rather off-dry, the fruity malt the life of the party, and Big Cherry the ringleader.

Well, at only 2% of the blend, the cherry kriek component really represents, spurring other thoughts of comparative low number, high value providers in our cultural midst. I only somewhat kid. I sense here a decent ode to a strong Belgian dark ale, but going all upstart colony with the cherry juicing gag. Once past the academic firsties, I can say that they've succeeded in their melange of traditional Belgian flavours - my oblivious confusion slowly turns to appreciation.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2011 02:47:20 | More by biboergosum

Gavage

New Jersey

4.6/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This was a great find. The ale poured a hazy bronze color with a relatively thin head. The aroma was unique. Earthy tones, cherries, other fruits, and lovely sweetness were easily detectable in the nose.

The flavor was exceptional and complex, as sweet malt and cherries were most dominant, but some spiciness and bitterness rounded out the flavor. Alcohol was slighlty noticeable. Flavors slighlty changed while the ale warmed during the session, keeping this a very interesting beer rating session.

Very smooth mouthfeel. The malt and cherries rode the tongue after swallowing for a short time. A slow drinking ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2004 12:54:11 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

4.3/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle

Pours deeep reddish-brown with ruby highlights. The thick, creamy head descends to a lasting cover.

The smell is of cherry and sweet malt. A pleasant aroma.

A sweet brown sugar coats a barley breadiness and an underlying cherry taste. Some spiciness is present, but not sharp. The sweetness is offset by a touch of tartness. A warming alcohol adds to the mild spiciness. Medium to full-bodied.

Rich and complex, it's very smooth.

This is a wonderful, unique brew. The mixture of barley malt and cherry lambic makes this one interesting and delicious. As the bottle states, this one is better to have when at room temperature or slightly chilled. It's a very nice occassional "sipping" brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2006 20:23:16 | More by jwc215

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

The only blended quad I've had and it was interesting to same the least. I poured a dark brown with a tinge of red. As it warms, the sour cherry smell really comes out. In general I found the lambic to dominate this beer, losing some of the more subtle flavors. There were still some good dark fruit flavors, but I'd prefer more focus on them. Only actual negative is that more the longest time the beer was overcarbonated to the point of making it hard to taste.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2006 16:10:51 | More by tempest

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a 2005 bottle served chilled to room temperature in a Troegenator seidel.

A: The ale has a thick luxurious head that does not lace. It is a hazy light brown color with abundant sediment.

S: Smell is malty-cherry mix, with the cherry being more of a sour (liefmans) than sweet (lindemans).

T: The taste is cherry and chewy malts. The malts are dominant but give way to a certain heat from hops. The malt finish is long and the formidble alcohol is well hidden. Maybe its just me, but the malts have a muscat grape and chocolate finish.

M: The depth of the quad and the cherry hints makes this a beer that thoroughly confuses the tastebuds.

D: Even at 9.8%, this is a strong drinkable ale.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2006 13:42:12 | More by akorsak

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.43/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Dark amber hue nice creamy tan head leaves uneven coats of lacing. Aroma: Strong vinous alcohol infused malts with semi tart hints of Lindemann's Kriek that will only mellow with time. Tones of honey wrapped in mild chocolate this is beautiful, finishes with brown sugar awesome stuff. Taste: The taste is a bit rough shows some signs of being young needs to be put away for a few years, the alcohol shines through pretty bright with chocolate covered cherries. Mouthfeel: Medium bodied effervescent Belgian style. Drinkability: Pretty good stuff, by about next year this is going to be so smooth watchout for the 9.8 abv.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2004 03:55:47 | More by WVbeergeek

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clouded ruby with a light tan head. Nose is heavy with sugar and alcohol. Flavor is extremely sweet. Pungent cherry tones. Strong quad tones with that very noticeable cherry lambic presence. Feel is thin. Lacks body and grace. Drinkability stays low due to extreme mix of flavors. Overall it is an “okay” brew IMO. I don’t feel as though it holds any character that helps it stand out against the rest of those of its kind. Ommegang is good, but this time for me they are not good enough to warrant a return to this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2007 12:45:19 | More by RblWthACoz

barleywinefiend

Washington

2.68/5  rDev -35.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A: Poured a reddish gold with good carbonation and a white head with reddish hues

S: Cherries, peppers, Earthy with some booze

T: Immediate cherries, too much here. Some dark fruits muted by cherries, Earthy notes with elements of pepper and wood

Mouthfeel: Thin, a little hot and to much cherry going on.

O: Cherry overkill

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2012 17:01:13 | More by barleywinefiend

smcolw

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Good beige head with light lace. A cross between a dark amber and brown ale in color.

First impression, strong vanilla aromas. The cherry is subtle, but present, in this largely malt smelling ale.

Very strong alcohol oiliness in the taste. The malt appears in the form of mildly sweet caramel. Although a lambic was introduced to this beer, there is none of the sourness associated with that style. Moderate body for this style (which is to say that it is very, very rich) and the carbonation is relatively low.

I'm not typically a fan of this style, but this was a treat--certainly a well made Belgian style ale.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2005 20:09:10 | More by smcolw

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(Served in a chalice)

A-The beer pours a deep hazy brown body with a creamy tan head and a strong carbonation.

S- The dark toasted malt with caramel notes and some sweetness. A faint cherry note becomes stronger as it warms.

T- A rich toasted slightly sweet malt body with a faint cherry and alcohol warmth at the finish. This has a nice tartness to the finish but it is very faint.

M- This has a medium full mouthfeel with some slight fizz. A faint hint of alcohol warmth hangs on the mouthfeel.

D- This is a very well designed beer. It is a quad first and the cherry lambic is a very subtle flavor.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2005 22:33:05 | More by rhoadsrage

Wasatch

Utah

4.33/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - This is a 2004 edition. Pours a dark red/brown color, nice carbonation, huge tan head which lasts a long time, awesome lacing throughout.

S - Scents of sweet malts, cherries, and caramel.

T - The taste is tangy and with a nice sweet after taste. Alcohol content is hidden well.

M - Medium body. This brew is well rounded with a slight carbonated feel in the mouth.

D - Very drinkable. Would recommend and buy again.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2006 20:18:00 | More by Wasatch

jdhilt

New Hampshire

4.22/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a one-fingered head that doesn't leave any lace. Light carbonation, medium bodied. Nose has black cherry overtones, starts on the sweet side finishes smooth and mellow. A very good quadrupel too bad this limited brew is no longer available. $7.50 for a 500ml bottle.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2004 01:45:38 | More by jdhilt

Jason

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

750ml brown magnum, no freshness date but this beer will hold up for years to come. The yeast was very loose so about a third of the bottle was left and swirled into a separate glass.

Appearance: Outstanding lacing, clinging action all over the glass. The clouded brown colour leaves a bit of mystery.

Smell: Light medicinal, herbal, minty, and licorice in the aroma. Hint of solvent alcohol and a layered malt sweetness.

Taste & Mouthfeel: Heavenly smoothness within the full body, creamy from middle to end. Thickly sweet of dark malts, nothing roasted. Deceiving alcohol leaves little warmth until the finish. Bitter phenols and a trace hop help to balance. Very herbal and a bit earthy as well.

Notes: Drop dead in complexity, a sipping brew and certainly something you would want to pair with rather than drinking it alone. I varied my pairings from a creamy Danish Blue Cheese with water crackers to dark chocolate.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2003 03:37:13 | More by Jason

mdfb79

New York

3.8/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked this up in NJ last weekend. Poured from a 750ml bottle into my Duvel tulip. 2011 vintage.

a - Pours a deep mahogany brown color with two and a half fingers of fluffy light tan head and moderate carbonation evident. Head lasts for several minutes and leaves a tiny bit of lacing on the glass.

s - Smells of Belgian style yeast, spices, pepper, dark fruits, cherries, fruity malts, toasted malts, bready malts, and a little bit of molasses. Spice and yeast are up front, followed by the fruit. As it warms up, getting more cherries which is nice.

t - Tastes of spice, pepper, Belgian yeast, cherries, dark fruits, alcohol, fruity malts, molasses, caramel malts, and toffee. Also some light toasted malts and bready malts. Pretty nice.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Little bit of alcohol present, but doesn't make it too hard to drink or anything.

o - Overall a pretty nice quad. It's nice that it is available all over the place and year round, though I wish it was a tiny bit cheaper. At first I enjoyed the taste much more than the nose, but as it warmed up the nose got significantly, as more fruit and cherry came out. Worth checking out, and something I would have again. May buy one to age and see what happens.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2011 23:13:45 | More by mdfb79

Billolick

New York

4.72/5  rDev +14%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

enjoyed from a growler from Half time in Poughkeepsie
Growler sat in my fridge for about a month (they said it would only be good for a week, Ha.)
very dark, very flavorful, wonderful taste, mouthfeel and long finish.
Nice lingering cherry finish. Srong malt, candi sugar and burnt fruit flavors. Exceptional creation in brewing, seek this one out if youre a Belgian lover.

Serving type: growler

01-12-2004 02:29:11 | More by Billolick

ppoitras

Massachusetts

3.53/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

750ml bottle from BeerTruth via trade. Thanks for the opportunity. Cave-aged, corked and caged, 2006 vintage.

Poured into a heavy glass chalice, formed a 1" tan head above the vigorously bubbling reddish brown brew. Very dense head stands tall, with sporadic chunky lacing. Aroma is sweet ,alts, sour cherries, and alcohol. Taste mirrors the nose, although the alcohol is brash at the end, in a rubbing alcohol sort of way, and shouts down some of the flavor. Mouthfeel and drinkability are quashed for me due to that alcohol character as noted. Not quite what I expected this time around.

(5/4/4/4/4, 4/4/04)
750mL bottle from Yankee Spirits, Sturbridge, MA. Presentation corked and caged, as illustrated in accompanying BA file photo.

Poured into an Ommegang gold-rimmed chalice, formed a dense inch tall tan head above the deeply reddish-brown brew. Aroma is quite yeasty, with it's other main essence being the whiff of the cherry lambic. Excellent lacing as drinking commenses, and the taste is pretty much as expected, with a heartier mouthfeel than you would expect and also a lessening for the tart mouthfeel that you would expect from the cherry lambic. It seems the quadrupel ale tastes are upfront, with the cherry flavors wandering along afterward, giving the aftertaste an interesting change. A novel product from Ommegang, and worth the trouble to obtain, for occasional enjoyment, but not an everyday in my book.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2008 01:00:39 | More by ppoitras

weeare138

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appears a ruby brown with a small tan head that slowly dissapates. Lots of sediment rests in the bottom of the glass. Some sticky lacing clings to the glass.
Smell is of sweet chocolate covered cherries and syrup.
Taste is richly of chocolate cherries, caramel, candy sugar, and yeast.
Mouthfeel is smooth, creamy, tingly, with a bit of a sugary sweetness lingering towards the front of the tongue. Seems to have a rich, truffle like finish.
Drinkability is a little less than good b/c it was hard for me to enjoy it while sipping. The alcohol is very evident and it made it difficult for me to want to finish the big bottle or look for any more. If you split this amongst 3 or 4 people to cap the night off, that's more like the speed of this one.

Finger licking good.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2005 16:33:53 | More by weeare138

Zorro

California

4.22/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2004 vintage here.

Pours a cloudy reddish brown brew.

Smell is melon and fruit and alcohol. Mild tobacco smell and faint spice, and a lacing of clover and honey.

Taste is mildly sweet with a pleasant mild cherry flavor. Complex flavors here, miscellaneous fruit flavors and a very warming alcohol sensation. Dry woody and mild bitterness. Over all this is a well-balanced flavor profile.

Mouthfeel is good, extremely fine bubbles like champagne.

Very drinkable brew, this would be excellent for a holiday brew.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2004 22:53:32 | More by Zorro

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a cloudy amber/red, nice highlights, big offwhite head, but it goes quick however leaves some nice lacing. Smell is malty sweetness, hops, apple skins, cherry. Taste is spice, maltiness, alcohol is apparent though muted, sour cherries near the end, and yeast. The carbonation was nice, medium, body was great. Tasty beer. Thanks DrJay.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2005 21:12:14 | More by Viggo

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.47/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Deep russet brown color. Just a thin film of a head, but a nice collar. Light brown in color. Lacing is spotty. Nose is thick. Chewy molasses, rum, raisin, dates, figs, black cherries and alcohol. Very nice. Form the first sip, I can tell this is the kind of Belgian style beer that I really like. Subtle bready, yeasty tones kick it off. Rum soaked raisins come and go. Alcohol is a presence, but it fits in a good way with this beer. Prunes, plums, wood, cherry, dates, figs......damn this is a tasty concoction. Carbonation is low, but fitting. Body is about medium full. Great beer.

Thank you cokes for expanding my philosophical horizons with a little Plato, a little Socrates and a little Aristotle.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2003 19:54:40 | More by Bighuge

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

First had: at Philly Craft Beer Fest '07

First sampled this on tap at a beer festival. To this day, it remains one of the finest brews I've ever had the pleasure to imbibe. Awesome name, awesome bottle, awesome beer. It's definitely more on the "quad" side than on the "kriek" side, as the cherry taste is more implied than infused, as opposed to other stronger/actual krieks.

Pours a hazy burgundy with a fine, small layer of white bubbles for a head. Complex aroma of yeast, spice, and fruit. Roasty malts in the taste, with flavors of cherry, plum, brown sugar, cloves, and rum. A little boozy, but not harsh. Medium mouthfeel, can be a bit syrupy. Can be enjoyed cold or closer to room temperature. Highly complex, highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

05-22-2011 19:24:01 | More by Rifugium