Three Philosophers
Brewery Ommegang
- From:
- Brewery Ommegang
- New York, United States
- Style:
- Belgian Quadrupel (Quad)
Ranked #49 - ABV:
- 9.7%
- Score:
- 92
Ranked #5,076 - Avg:
- 4.15 | pDev: 11.33%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 2,250
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jun 01, 2026
- Added:
- Apr 23, 2002
- Wants:
- 439
- Gots:
- 1,792
SCORE
92
Outstanding
92
Outstanding
Three Philosophers is a unique blend of a Belgian-style dark ale and Liefmans Kriek, an authentic cherry ale from Belgium. Cherry chestnut in color, it's opaque but not cloudy with full carbonation topped by a smooth, tan head. Flavors and aromas of roasted malt, molasses and brown sugar, dark fruits, brandied raisins and chocolate, Three Philosophers has notable sweetness with low hop bitterness. The mid-palate shows a soft malt center which gives way to a dry, warm, wine-like finish.
The complexity of this beer make it a good candidate for ageing gracefully, as spicy sherry and port notes should intensify.
The complexity of this beer make it a good candidate for ageing gracefully, as spicy sherry and port notes should intensify.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by CoasterRider:
Reviewed by CoasterRider from Washington
4.34/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.34/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours a dark brown with a small tan head and a fair amount of carbonation. The description is spot on and is a nice sipping beer. Ages very well as this can says BB 11-9-2021. Really complex flavor.
Feb 14, 2026More User Ratings:
Reviewed by brewandbbq from New Hampshire
4/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle from 2003.
Pours clear mahogany with zero head or retention. Caramel-coated apples with cherries in the nose. Medium bodied with a syrupy, flat mouthfeel. Sweet malt with figs and faint cherry on the palate.
Finishes with plump malt, cherry, and faint plum.
Jun 01, 2026Pours clear mahogany with zero head or retention. Caramel-coated apples with cherries in the nose. Medium bodied with a syrupy, flat mouthfeel. Sweet malt with figs and faint cherry on the palate.
Finishes with plump malt, cherry, and faint plum.
Reviewed by Spaten454 from Texas
4/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a deep brown with ruby highlights and a frothy, lasting tan head. Aromas of caramel, cherry, and dark fruit. I get raisin, plum, caramalized malt, and subtle tart cherry with a smooth, slightly dry finish. Medium mouthfeel with mild carbonation. Overall, it's a flavorful quadrupel that balances sweetness, spice, and cherry character beautifully.
May 27, 2026
Reviewed by cjeep from Pennsylvania
3.5/5 rDev -15.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -15.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
end of the day, not for me. the flavor profile is just surprisingly muted. scent is very nice but the taste does not deliver on the nose. sadly this confirms my judgement "no Belgian style". The real thing or nothing. no way 92.
Apr 28, 2026Rated by Maxamiilion2009 from Illinois
5/5 rDev +20.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
5/5 rDev +20.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
A rich, elegant, and lovely beer meant to be savored at the table. Cherry and chocolate flavors really are intense when sipping.
Mar 18, 2026Reviewed by DDiFran from Ohio
4.46/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.46/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Exceptional beer. Quad base with strong cherry nose and taste. Just enough alcohol burn on the finish. A perfect sipper for this cold and dreary evening
Mar 04, 2026
Rated by ttoadee from Texas
4.1/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.1/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
RB transfer
Jan 12, 2026
Reviewed by MrOH from Virginia
4.02/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.02/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Clear mahogany, off-white head, good retention, rings of lace
Dried sour cherries, angelino plums, a bit of molasses, raisins, and a hint of spice aroma
Lots of dried fruit, some brown bread, just enough spice flavor to keep it fresh tasting
Medium bodied and appropriately carbonated
Better than a lot of the authentic Belgians of the style, and at a better price point.
Dec 17, 2025Dried sour cherries, angelino plums, a bit of molasses, raisins, and a hint of spice aroma
Lots of dried fruit, some brown bread, just enough spice flavor to keep it fresh tasting
Medium bodied and appropriately carbonated
Better than a lot of the authentic Belgians of the style, and at a better price point.
Reviewed by Matthewmetcalfe from Georgia
4.51/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.51/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
I just had my first Three Philosophers in 2025 after visiting the brewery in Cooperstown. I'm a huge fan of Belgian styles so I've got mixed feelings. I've been missing out on this one for a long time but, at the same time, I've got a new favorite! Love the chestnut brown color, a little on the hazy side. The aroma will let your tongue know cherries are on the way. It's full bodied as you would expect with a quad (and also a little boozy). Love the sweet finish. Just a great beer.
Oct 15, 2025
Reviewed by Spankyrightus from Maryland
4.22/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.22/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I think I’ve had this on draught before BA, this time from a bottle poured into a beer glass.
A hazy chestnut/cooper pour with an abundant beige head, and random lacing.
Caramelized malt flavor is dominant, caramel/toffee notes, some booziness, hints of dark cherry/fruit & banana , chocolate, rum/raisins, and dates/figs. Vanilla and slight cherry cordial sweetness linger in the background.
A little carbonation tickle on the tongue on the finish.
A very good Belgian Quad!
Oct 10, 2025A hazy chestnut/cooper pour with an abundant beige head, and random lacing.
Caramelized malt flavor is dominant, caramel/toffee notes, some booziness, hints of dark cherry/fruit & banana , chocolate, rum/raisins, and dates/figs. Vanilla and slight cherry cordial sweetness linger in the background.
A little carbonation tickle on the tongue on the finish.
A very good Belgian Quad!
Reviewed by EH33905 from Florida
4.13/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.13/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Deep mahagony color with medium white head. Smells of cherry and a bit boozy. Taste of cherry, malt with a fairly heavy spice and alcohol finish. This is great by a fire on a crisp evening.
Jul 19, 2025
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