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Three Philosophers
Brewery Ommegang
- From:
- Brewery Ommegang
- New York, United States
- Style:
- Quadrupel (Quad)
Ranked #39 - ABV:
- 9.7%
- Score:
- 92
Ranked #4,234 - Avg:
- 4.15 | pDev: 11.33%
- Reviews:
- 2,229
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Feb 03, 2024
- Added:
- Apr 23, 2002
- Wants:
- 437
- Gots:
- 1,783
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 Lupin:
Reviewed by Lupin from Connecticut
4.01/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
4.01/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
I was going to get my friend a 1.5l magnum of duvel for a housewarming gift, but as I walked into New England Beverage Company, my eyes were diverted by a three liter magnum of this brew for $43. I'd had the abbey ale in the past and have some respect for that brew, but had always wanted to try this one.
Served, chilled, into highball glasses. Head on the first pour was monstrous. I actually had to interrupt my friend and show him how to properly pour a beer of the caliber, namely, with the assistance of a friend to hold the glass at a proper angle. Once poured correctly, the head was ideal. The magnum pours were absolutely filled with yeast. This stuff was murky, and dark splotches of caramel-colored yeast were the reward for the last pouree.
Upon redrinking this brew, it is not nearly as murky out of a 12 oz. bottle, but the same tasting notes still apply.
The malt hits you first, as does an almost sour/tangy hint of cherry. If they had chosen any other of Lindeman's Lambics, this would probably be too sour or too sweet. It's definitely not juicy, but perhaps a bit too yeasty. Very refreshing in the Boston sun nonetheless. Ambiguous fruity yeast is dominant, though. A little syrupy, but definitely not thin.
I like balance in beers, but drinking this one out of a 3l magnum was quite an experience. I've never seen so much yeast floating around in a beer without it bothering me. It actually tasted thicker out of a 12 ounce bottle with a far clearer pour.
This brew definitely needs to be tried if you like quadrupels for its fruity nuances. I would add .5 to both taste and drinkability if you could get this in a magnum.
Otherwise, there are plenty of other beers to explore if you're not into something as meaty as a quarupel. This isn't a proper introduction.
Jun 25, 2006Served, chilled, into highball glasses. Head on the first pour was monstrous. I actually had to interrupt my friend and show him how to properly pour a beer of the caliber, namely, with the assistance of a friend to hold the glass at a proper angle. Once poured correctly, the head was ideal. The magnum pours were absolutely filled with yeast. This stuff was murky, and dark splotches of caramel-colored yeast were the reward for the last pouree.
Upon redrinking this brew, it is not nearly as murky out of a 12 oz. bottle, but the same tasting notes still apply.
The malt hits you first, as does an almost sour/tangy hint of cherry. If they had chosen any other of Lindeman's Lambics, this would probably be too sour or too sweet. It's definitely not juicy, but perhaps a bit too yeasty. Very refreshing in the Boston sun nonetheless. Ambiguous fruity yeast is dominant, though. A little syrupy, but definitely not thin.
I like balance in beers, but drinking this one out of a 3l magnum was quite an experience. I've never seen so much yeast floating around in a beer without it bothering me. It actually tasted thicker out of a 12 ounce bottle with a far clearer pour.
This brew definitely needs to be tried if you like quadrupels for its fruity nuances. I would add .5 to both taste and drinkability if you could get this in a magnum.
Otherwise, there are plenty of other beers to explore if you're not into something as meaty as a quarupel. This isn't a proper introduction.
More User Ratings:
Rated by tbumnnc
4.56/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.56/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Great melange of flavors - cherry, chocolate, plum and blueberry, SMOOTH and balanced.
Feb 03, 2024Reviewed by Saluki from Florida
4.09/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.09/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Drinking next to a Sixth. Similar color but clearer. Similar minimal head. Nice fruit flavor, the cherry, well balanced with the malts and abv. Quite delicious. No issue drinking the other three in the four pack.
Jan 23, 2024Reviewed by D-Dog81 from New York
4.8/5 rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.8/5 rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
This beer is wonderful. I left it out of the fridge for a little bit so it would be at the 50 degrees serving temperature that they would recommend. I'm just slowly sipping on this one and don't want it to end! To me, the aroma is fantastic. Cherry, dark fruit, a hint of alcoholic sharpness, but not overpowering at all. Creamy slightly tanned colored head, nice lacing on the glass... Very much enjoyed in small sips. To me, worth the $18 I paid for a 4 pack of it. I'll hold onto the other 3 and enjoy them appropriately.
Nov 27, 2023Reviewed by DimlyLitQuonsetHut from Virginia
3.63/5 rDev -12.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.63/5 rDev -12.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Not off putting but very heavy and sticky. Quite sweet. Lots of warm spices but nothing standing out. Muddled. Some acidity and sourness. Really not my thing, but for the right person this would be great.
Nov 24, 2023Reviewed by Howard_e2001
4.43/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.43/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Damn! That's good. On draft at Flying Saucer, Ft Worth. A lot of complexity. Nothing overpowering. Great balance.
Great color. Light aroma. Light carbonation. I wonder what how it would present with a little more carbonation.
Nov 18, 2023Great color. Light aroma. Light carbonation. I wonder what how it would present with a little more carbonation.
Reviewed by BJB13 from Maryland
3.96/5 rDev -4.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.96/5 rDev -4.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 ounce bottle poured into a snulip.
Best by: 8/30/28
L: Ruby brown, mostly clear, 2 finger ruddy tan head, foam is rocky and spongy and persistent.
S: Slightly mineral, light fruit aroma, both dark fruit and berries, chocolate malt, some alcohol.
T: Opens rich with a hint of chocolate and dark fruit malt sweetness, but is ultimately sharp, tart and bitter, well attenuated, finish is reminiscent of bitter baker’s chocolate.
F: Medium-ish body smooth and frothy, has a little heat
O: Decent sipper.
Aug 21, 2023Best by: 8/30/28
L: Ruby brown, mostly clear, 2 finger ruddy tan head, foam is rocky and spongy and persistent.
S: Slightly mineral, light fruit aroma, both dark fruit and berries, chocolate malt, some alcohol.
T: Opens rich with a hint of chocolate and dark fruit malt sweetness, but is ultimately sharp, tart and bitter, well attenuated, finish is reminiscent of bitter baker’s chocolate.
F: Medium-ish body smooth and frothy, has a little heat
O: Decent sipper.
Rated by NeilSilber1 from California
4.53/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.53/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours dark tan with light Belgium style carbonization. Malty sweat finish make this an amazing domestic Belgium style strong ale.
Aug 09, 2023
Three Philosophers from Brewery Ommegang
Beer rating:
92 out of
100 with
6864 ratings
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