Ommegang Three Philosophers

Brewed by Brewery Ommegang (Moortgat)
Style: Abt/Quadrupel
Cooperstown, New York USA

12 oz bottle from John’s Grocery. Pours a really rich looking red. Hazy, can see some of the yeast/particles floating around making it even more cloudy. Big and fizzy, beige head with a good amount of lacing. A very potent aroma of sweet malts, toooons of dark cherry, a hint of alcohol, some caramel/brown sugar and licorice. A definite Belgian yeast strain smell to it too. A medium to full mouthful with an extremely chewy texture. A really interesting take on the Belgian Quad. Very malty with an initial spice, followed by a dark cherry/licorice/whiskey taste, with an ending that lingers and warms as the alcohol taste kicks in. A slight hint of roasted malts with the dried plummy taste. The candy sweetness is very well balanced with the liqueur-esque dark fruit and the slightly yeasty/bitter/burning finish. A fantastic Belgian Strong taste with a tremendous balance throughout. Not the "knock-out" strong ale that I was expecting, which I really really really enjoyed. Mmmmm.

more filling taste supurb lots of flavors of fruits and malts taste good like a belgian should

Red chestnut body, sparkle, beige head; Lots of caramel and age in nose; Quite full a little harsh body; Harsh very aged finish. To old or never really good???

Nothing negative to report about this beer at all. I mean, this is a very nice interpretation of the quadrupel style. Sweet brown sugar, dark fruits, licorice, and whiskey flavors are apparent, amongst others. No perceptible creaminess however, unlike Bernardus 12 and Rochefort 10, making it different though not inferior. Large and long alcohol burn, more than to be expected for under 10%; a treat for us who enjoy the sensation. Overall, between great and excellent. Thanks Ommegang

Deep crimson with hints of brown toward the center of the glass. Solid 1/2 inch eggshell head...foam night as tightly packed as others. Aroma of Belgian yeast, brown sugar, spice, and cherry. Medium mouthfeel...drinkable and not filling. Flavors of tart cherry skin, ripe sweet dark fruit, and caramel would make me return to this one again.

Bottle from Bev Mo, San Francisco, July 2008. What a wonderful beer, blended if I’m not mistaken. This has an aroma of cherries and dark fruit. The flavour starts with that dark cherry and moves to chocolate, dark sugar, plum.

2008 Version. 330 mL bottle. Fairly clear amber pour with a large, fizzly, cream colored head that goes down after a few seconds. Looking closely you can see the added yeast that dissipates and turns the glass slightly cloudy. First taste is spicy- almost a sting from the near 10% abv. The aroma is likewise nutmeg, cloves, etc. There are many fruit flavors in the mix besides cherries once you get to drinking. Reminds me a lot of Aventinus.

750ml bottle. Hazy amber brown with a huge off-white head. Spicy, fruity aromas. Sweet caramel malt flavors to start with a sour twang to it. Dark fruit flavors.