Three Philosophers Belgian Style Blend (Quadrupel) - Brewery Ommegang

SolipsismalCat

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a snifter.

A: Clear red-brown with two-finger, off-white, fizzy head that lasted several minutes and left a nice film. Okay lacing.

S: Dark fruit, plums, raisins. Yeast and alcohol.

T: Moderate to high sweetness and light bitterness. Dark fruit and apples. Alcohol.

M: Medium bodied with lively carbonation. Light and crisp. This one will sneak up on you.

O: This was a very drinkable quad.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 04:19:31 | More by SolipsismalCat

themind

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Over all I thought this was a let down for me. I think that I prefer BPA and the double. For the style this brew has a decent mouthfeel and taste. Pours a very small head and is a little thick for my liking. Overall it is a quality beer but not my cup of tea.

Bottom line: Not a fan

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 13:48:11 | More by themind

JudoJeff

4.53/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

From a 750 mL bottle this poured a deep, dark brown amber. It has a weight in the mouth and a smooth feel. The touch of cherry flavor from the added Liefmans Kriek is, in my opinion, just about the perfect amount to add some sweetness to this dark, rich ale. If you tend to be disappointed by overpowering fruit-forward beer yet feel like you want some sweetness, I would strongly recommend Three Philosophers.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 01:53:06 | More by JudoJeff

cjoc83

Pennsylvania

4.09/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Three Philosophers Belgian-style blend of 98% ale and 2% ale with cherries added (said to be Leifmans Kriek on the bottle). Pours an opaque almond brown with an initial 2 finger soapy off-white head that dissipates quickly to a ring around the tulip.

Plum, rum-soaked raisin, sweet bread and just a hint of cherry in the nose.

Much more cherry forward in the taste, although it's not the dominant note. Slightly tart cherries intermingle with the plum, raisin and fig, some sweet and bready malt, a little brown sugar and caramel, some earthiness and just a touch of vinegar. The Kriek really sets this off and makes it stand out among the typical quad. Really delicious stuff.

Medium bodied with moderate carbonation, almost no alcohol noticeable, dry finish.

Quads and BSDA's are more and more becoming one of my favorite styles (and in fact I used to not care for them at all), and this one definitely stands out as one of my favorites. A really solid quad with the added awesomeness of some Kriek blended in. While a little on the pricey side, I would still buy this again.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 01:31:36 | More by cjoc83

Zach136

Georgia

4.35/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Quads of Fame Blind Taste Test

12oz bottle, born May 2012

A - Light amber with virtually no head. Acceptable for a High alcohol beer.
S - Raisin, caramel and hints of sugar plum. Pretty great nose actually.
T - One of the sweeter of the four. Brown sugar and green apple. Also a solid amount of alcohol burn.
M - Thinest mouthfeel, dry and champagne like.
O - We did the tasting blind, but we could totally tell which wasn't from Belgian. It's very good, but next to the other heavy weights, it can't compare.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 02:49:53 | More by Zach136

SeamusDoyle

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Pours a clear dark red-brown body. Excellent two finger light khaki head forms. Very dense and creamy in appearance, a swirl produces some nice lacing and retention as well as some alcohol legs. Aroma of cherries initially, then comes a wave of rich malts, caramel, dark candied fruits, toffee, brown sugar and spicy yeast. A touch of warming alcohol on the finish. Smooth and rich. Taste is ripe cherries, caramelized dark fruits, oak, brown sugar, and a yeasty finish. Incredibly delicious and smooth with all the right Quad notes. The finish has a light lactic twang, almost in the form of oxidation, but its very pleasant and complimentary. Mouth feel is creamy and medium bodied with the alcohol very well hidden. Overall this is hands down the best American made quad I have personally tired. It really does compete with the big Belgian quads.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 22:47:02 | More by SeamusDoyle

trxxpaxxs

New York

4.01/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2012 Vintage...

A: Pours a ruby red/brown with a half finger of khaki colored head. The foam fades quickly, and leaves only spotty lacing along the sides of the glass.

S: The nose is bread, yeast, slight berries, and booze. I get some over-ripened banana, but the notes listed above are the main scents.

T: It starts out sweet and boozy. I pick up the over-ripe banana, berry, and soaked bread notes right after. The finish is bread and booze.

M: Full bodied beer. This beer has some serious heft. It's like liquid alcoholic bread. Sweet and wet to start, semi-cloying, and the alcohol heat dries up the palate in the finish.

O: I'm not too enthused by this beer. Maybe quads just aren't my thing, but there are many a beer that I would rather drink. That being said... I suppose it is pretty spot on for the style.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 23:39:19 | More by trxxpaxxs

stonermouse

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Bomber poured into a goblet.

Beautiful pour. Pours amber with a swirling, slowly dissipating head. The pour is clearly dense and near-syrupy.

Aroma is quite strong. Very musty and basement-like, but also slightly sweet. I like and dislike it at the same time.

Really nice flavor here. The flavor's big, complex, yet approachable. There's a mild sourness, topped off by a solid sweetness. The finish is nicely tart, but not so much that it hurts your teeth. These are generalizations, but it's neat that this beer hits several flavor profiles. The tartness is certainly cherry flavored, and finishes very nicely and not too candy-like.

The best part of this brew is the dense, filling mouthfeel. It's perfect for a brew that hits so many flavor notes.

I like this brew- it's an approachable, yet very flavorful quad. I suppose it's become my "go to" quad. Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 02:54:09 | More by stonermouse

Mrduprey215

Pennsylvania

4.84/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I was recommended this a while back and it ended up being my first entry to trying microbrews. Amazing smell and first taste note as with other beers of this type gotta let it temp up a bit.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 22:03:46 | More by Mrduprey215

1Nrwyscotch

Wisconsin

4.03/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle poured into a chalice.

A. A gorgeous deep redish ornage with solid light tan head which stuck around and left some lacing.

S. Sweet caramel malts followed by some light spicing with some dark fruits.

T. It starts off with some sweet cherries which mellows into some woodsy caramel and finishes dry.

M. It has a full body and fills your mouth while taking even a small sip.

O. I really enjoyed this quad as it tastes really balanced and could pass for a made in Belgian beer. It also resonably priced and easier for me to find living in the north woods.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 01:15:29 | More by 1Nrwyscotch

wiscokid920

Wisconsin

4.18/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz From Ommegang 12 pack Sampler

A- Hazy brown with ruby hues. Nice three finger head which lasts forever! Phenomenal lacing which sticks to the glass.

S- Sweet and boozy! Hints of alcohol combined with malty sweetness.

T- Think sweet malts. Light herb flavors with cherry tartness that fades again into fruity sugars.

M- Unbelievable smoothness throughout. Full bodied and creamy. Enough of a hop to balance things out.

O- A great, complex brew. Definitely one to sip and enjoy! I will definitely purchase more and age it in my cellar! One of the best quads I have had!
Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 03:24:46 | More by wiscokid920

streetcommander

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Served at 46F

Quaffed from a German made lager glass.

Appearance is hazy and mollassasy with brown head.

Nose is of sour milk and Belgium yeast...not appealing

Flavor profile is fantastic and complex. Belch is phenominal. But, the beer is destroyed by a syrupy and sweet texture and flavor which overpowers all the positive attributes.

Flat and syrupy sweet, are the lasting impressions. Terrible outcome for such a well flavored brew.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 00:36:41 | More by streetcommander

rangerred

Tennessee

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

2011 vintage. Poured into an Ommegang tulip.

Pours a murky reddish brown with a solid two finger tan head. Great head retention from the abundant carbonation.

Tart cherries on the aroma along with other dark fruits. Some licorice along with wood and a faint whiff of alcohol. Some sherry qualities as well.

The flavor, to me, is a little bit of a let-down. Some dark cherry along with a bit of an oxidized sherry character that clashes a little bit. Lots of dark fruit; dates and figs and a little wood. Alcohol is present throughout and I am a little disappointed it has not mellowed in all this time. Thick, syrupy mouthfeel makes this one a sipper.

Overall, not as good as I remember this beer being when I had it several years ago. It just seems like the flavors don't meld well. A decent beer but I will probably skip over it for some Belgian quads in the future.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 01:23:46 | More by rangerred

OF001

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

750 mL btl. Poured at just below cellar temp.

clear bronzy brown with a light ruby hue. Thick dimpled head with amazing lacing. Lively carbonation maintains head extremely well.

Smells warm and boozy, candy sugars and herbal notes. Lacks a punch that wows me.

Quad sweet with a candy cherry and hints of cocoa. surprisingly effervescent fruitiness. Light herbs, but it comes more from the body rather than real flavours pushing through. Ever so slight cherry lambic tartness that comes and goes. long clingy sweet and lightly bitter finish of fruit sugars and very little hop resin. Great yeasty-ness that will only grow in time.

Heavy and syrupy. Smooth and creamy with a hugely warming alcoholic evaporation quality.

Great quad, the lambic addition gives a relative lightness at points but at 2% I is just enough; but it could have used .5-1% more. It will age amazingly. Both in the yeasty depth and lightness from the lambic. Good now but great later. Overall is just under a 4 but not quite worth it yet.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 07:31:25 | More by OF001

JamesMN

Minnesota

4.08/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Completely opaque dark brown and maroon hue with a fizzy tan head.

Aroma: Nice sweet cherries above classic Quad hints of chocolate. Like a chocolate covered cherry but actually pretty light on aroma.

Taste: So many flavors and pleasantly complex. Chocolate, apricot, strawberry, bread, and black cherry. Very smooth and nicely done.

Mouthfeel: Full in body but the high level of effervescence makes the palate a little lighter and more easily drinkable.

Final Thoughts: A really good Quad from an American brewery. Would I drink it again? Yes, if it's reasonably priced.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 01:00:26 | More by JamesMN

King_KongDCO93

Minnesota

4.9/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Cracked opened a 12oz bottle today, a 2012. 9.8 abv

A: reddish amber with a nice off white head that is still lingering. Can't see through the glass.

S: Massive fruity notes especially cherries, I'm getting some notes of raisins, plums, figs, and grapefruit. also getting some caramel aroma. The aroma is amazing!!!! it has that gunk dirty aroma that you need in a Belgian style quad.... and Ommegang hit it spot.

T: Cherry, caramel, and toffee goodness. It is nicely balanced and all the flavors mellow out. It has a hint of butterscotch (just a bit not over powering). The drink-ability on this beer is amazing. at 9.8% abv. It is hard to tell. The cherry is truly bold and great.

M: feels cleansed, zesty, refreshed. It a bit tangy from the mild bitterness, but over all a great feeling

O: Where I am you can usually get a 4pack for around $15 or a bomber for around $10.99. So is it worth it? Yes. this is one of the best sipping beers you will find.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 18:46:45 | More by King_KongDCO93

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into an Ommegang Tulip.

Appearance
Garnet with red highlights. Slightly hazed with 1-2 fingers of loose head.

Nose
Cherry, plum, honey, hay and booze.

Taste
Overripe plum, red grapes and cherry. Sweet honey malts and caramelized grains. Good amount of Belgian funk comprised of dried hay, clove and pink peppercorn. Slightly boozy.

Taste
Medium bodied, smooth and slightly drying.

Overall
Great American made Quad. Would really love more dark fruits. Big honey sweetness and Belgian funkiness. The 9.8% abv could be better disguised.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 02:37:14 | More by justintcoons

lonewolfcry

Minnesota

3.58/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

2008 vintage bottle poured into a tulip

A ~ Dark mahogany w/ruby tones, 1/2 finger beige head that went down fairly quick.
Little lacing and alcohol legs.

S ~ Plum, cherry red wine, with a hint of the yeast.

T ~ Pleasant sweetness, a little tart and woody malt. Sweeter than I expected. I couldn't find the alcohol until midway through the glass - it was hidden well.

M ~ Light to medium bodied, very low carbonation. Dry finish, yet wet at the same time - if that makes any sense.

O ~ I would've loved to see this after 3 years, because I'm thinking I may have been a year late on this. But it was still well worth trying. I've got my eye on the 2011 next to drink one and cellar the rest.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 01:53:47 | More by lonewolfcry

fx20736

New York

4.08/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured from a 330ml bottle into a Chimay chalice, served at cellar temp.

Coca-Cola Brown with a thin brown sugar colored head not much lacing.

aroma of vanilla, cherries and a slight boozy aroma.

mouthfeel is soft but full.

taste: fruity including cherries, vanilla, some oak with a burnt brown sugar taste like toffee and an alcoholic warming finish.

Notes; fruity, boozy and sweet. This is tasty but I wonder how this would taste after cellaring for a few years.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 21:50:57 | More by fx20736

ianjsullivan

Maryland

4.05/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

ST: 750ml poured into a chalice.

A: Brown with a hint of red; the head is slightly off-white and about a fingernail tall.

S: Malty sweetness, crisp cherries, caramel, raspberry, sweet dough.

T: Starts out with nice cherry mixing with sweet malt. The finish starts with bread and caramel and transitions into a boozy finish.

M: Medium to heavy.

O: Tasty. A good blend of flavors that leaves some warmth in your belly, Three Philosophers goes through, roughly, three phases. Cheery, bread, and booze. The boozy end might be blended better, but it doesn't detract enough to find heavy fault (it is 9.7% after all).

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 21:38:40 | More by ianjsullivan

Moss

Florida

4.55/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a reddish brown. Tan, two finger head which didn't take long to go down but left nice lacing.

S - Smells sweet with a cherry, fruity smell. Right on point with what you would expect a great quadrupel to smell like.

T - Sweet, cherries and other fruits from the yeast and kriek. Taste slight liquorice. Complex taste that is up there with the best quadrupels. Slight spiceyness to it.

M - Medium to heavy bodied but has a good amount of carbonation tickling my tounge.

O - Very good tasty quadrupel and very glad I got it. Would definitely age one if I could. This one was bottled 6 months ago so I feel like aging this would be excellent. Drink by date is 5 years later. Only thing I could say about this is I would prefer slightly less carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 00:37:01 | More by Moss

Kevin73

Washington

4.55/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This is my personal favorite quad. Pours dark brownish red with a thick egg white head and lots of lacing. Some quads are dry, others are sweet. This one is on the sweeter side due to the cherry blend. But don't mistake this for a cherry beer because it is merely an ingredient and not the focus. The cherry flavor accentuates the natural dried fruit flavors of the quad. The result is an extraordinarily well balanced strongly flavored beer that is not overly hoppy or malty beer and no hint of an aftertaste. Just beautiful.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 21:48:21 | More by Kevin73

StonedTrippin

Colorado

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

one of the best, a real unique quad. the beer pours a hazy and pale red to brown color, with a huge rising white head courtesy of the belgian yeast. the nose is very complex, some chocolate, sour cherry, funky yeast, and spices. i taste cherry first, but it isnt sweet or sour, sort of neutral in terms of feel, layered in is cocoa powder, peppery yeast, and some brown sugar. lots going on here, and i feel like this beer may have changed a little over the years. real bright mouthfeel, lots of bubbles and a surprisingly dry finish for a bigger and sweeter beer. the alcohol content is barely perceptible at all. overall this is much different than most quads ive come across, and one of the classic beers from the state of new york. id be happy to make a night on this, really tasty, and i figure more out about it each time i enjoy one. not to be missed.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 00:58:01 | More by StonedTrippin

BradtheGreat7

Ohio

4.23/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Review taken exactly 3 nights ago - winter 2012. I've been overly impressed with Brewery Ommegang's gift box deals I've recently found. An 8 pack with 2x 4 year round offerings and a 3 pack of huge abbey style bottles with a signature glass. Top notch stuff!

12 oz brown bottle poured into an abbey style goblet from Ommegang. Label is very appealing and clean cut. The 3 Philosophers themselves make an appearance at the bottom and im spending way too much time wondering who these gentlemen actually are.. Let's get started.

A - Rich ruby brown with a decent Tan head that dissapates somewhat quickly and settles to a solid ring of lace. Lacing offers some superb effects on the glass.

S - Aroma is of dark fruits, licorice, sugary malts, hints of cherries, tobacco, small whiff of wheat, and a good lick of alcohol spice. Top notch Belgian style yeast notes.

T - flavor has some dark fruit up front with faint soft dark chocolate(very faint). Cherries and candied sugar notes are excellent. Baked bread character with a semi sweet molasses note. Peppery spices creep in toward the finish. Very complex flavor that's sweet, spicey and tart with a bit of alcohol in the finish. Ommegang's Belgian yeast strains is scary good.

M - fairly Smooth and full bodied. Very complex mouthfeel that's moderately drinkable. Very enjoyable brew nonetheless.

O - I have grown fond with Brewery Ommegang and even more so recently. This Quad is a Very unique brew that screams complexity with the blending method Ommegang uses. Three Philosophers is unbelievably unique with its complexity yet remaining wise with its tasty character. It's a true work of class from a brewery who doesn't pretend to give you Belgian style ales for the fact that they do give you Belgian style and quality. I'm definitely putting one of these in the cellar as I know for certain it will sit nicely as time passes on. However I will buy a few more to enjoy now.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 23:25:12 | More by BradtheGreat7

TownDunkel

Texas

4/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

I'd been itching to try this one, just had to wait for pay day to enjoy it!

Appearance - A really smart reddish brown, i guess a bit of the fruit coming out in it. Also, a heavy cream head that tops it off.

Smell - Cherries, tobacco, wheat tones. Really top of the line scents

Taste - Smooth, luscious, and complex.

Mouthfeel - Good feel that sticks around but only seems like the cherry taste is there. I wish the complexity could have stuck around

Overall - This is a nice beer, I would make this a daily drinker if I won the lottery

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 04:50:14 | More by TownDunkel