Ommegang Three Philosophers

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

First samples
(Big bottle shared at 3 Små Rum Göteborg on January 18. Second sample the day after in Bishops Arms, Örebro. Also shared big bottle)
Clear copper color, white head. Sweet and spicy scent. Also some metal. Smooth light sweet and a tad smoke taste. Smooth mouthfeel, medium bitterness. Some cherry pips taste also.
7/3/7/4/15=3.6

Third rating
(At a blind tasting)
Shady reddish color, tan head. Sweet, vinous, alcohol, dried fruits, chocolate, almond paste scent. Phenolic, sweet. alcohol taste. Smooth mouthfeel. Phenolic and roasted aftertaste.
8/4/7/4/15=3.8

2003 bottle consumed 9/2004. Pours a wonderful maroon-burgundy brown. Light orange and yellows swirl about. Good beige head that sticks to the sides long after it has disipated. Aroma has notes of concord grapes, plums, tobacco, tart cherries, ethanol, mossy/earthy yeast notes and of course, plenty of sweet caramel. Flavor starts out quite dry, moderately sour and really strikes me as more of a flemish sour ale. Though it dosent have nearly the bittersweet/sour flavors, it also dosent have the huge sweet malt profile of say, rochefort 10. A bit of a burnt cherry/ light acetone feel towards the finish, lots of strong alcohol flavors and seems like cherries soaked in extra strong brandy. Warming to room temp proved to allow more of the sweet malt I was looking for to arise, but it never got too dominant. Hints of raisins and chocolate round out the finish, with a dry, strange yeastiness at the end.

355ml bottle (Beertopia, Nebraska) - 2007 cellared for 18 months - thanks Anna’s parents!
Rich reddy brown, brief head. Some pleasant roasty aroma, a touch of caramel and chocolate. Gentle carbonation, smooth palate - molasses in spades in the retronasals. First taste after swallowing was definitely primarily quite hot, but followed by some lovely burnt edges, and just a touch of barky bitterness. Alcohol too prominant, alas, this really ought to be toned down a fair way to excel. Fairly drinkable though, even considering the strength. Adding some yeast made the aroma softer and more caramelly, the taste too, but also once got a tiny hint of glue in the taste, which for me is a big no-no. Strangely, I burped kriekenbier. Definitely no quad, just a good sweet dark belgian ale. Finish a touch spicy too - clove.

(750ml bottle) Deep red body with a thin, almond head. Nose of plum, bubblegum and iodine. An almost muted taste. Smooth, fruity with a slight whiskey-alcohol burn. Good, lingering burn. Excellent!

Bottle. Brownish colour with a small off white head. Aroma and taste of yeaste, fruits, caramel and spices. Good beer.

Bottled at 3 små rum. Ruby red with a small head. Light fruitiness in the aroma.. Malty with hints oc cocoa aswell. Soft and smooth palate with fruity notes and hints of bitter-almond/cherry-seeds. Warming alco-feel.

Bottle at Abbey Brewing Company, Miami Beach. Amber color, small white head. Quite discreet malty aroma weith some spicy notes. Fruity malty flavor, spicy after a while and with some figs and hops.

Bottled. 3 Små Rum, Göteborg. Dark copper colour with good head retention. Rich, malty aroma with a nice blend of almond paste, alcohol, bit of toast and cocoa. Cherries are not noticed at this stage. Soft, yet lively mouthfeel with cherry stone, red berries, and bit of chocolate - the latter most prominent in the finish. Alcohol is sensed, but here it carries the flavours nicely, and contributes without being edgy or bitter. Great beer!