Three Philosophers
Brewery Ommegang

Three PhilosophersThree Philosophers
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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:
6,864
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.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Lupin:
Photo of Lupin
Reviewed by Lupin from Connecticut

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, 2006
More User Ratings:
Photo of tbumnnc
Rated by tbumnnc

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, 2024
 
Rated: 4.41 by rrella

Feb 03, 2024
 
Rated: 4 by rfreed from Washington

Feb 02, 2024
 
Rated: 4.4 by gongfu from Connecticut

Jan 31, 2024
Photo of Saluki
Reviewed by Saluki from Florida

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, 2024
 
Rated: 3.83 by SeanP99 from North Carolina

Jan 11, 2024
 
Rated: 4.25 by mattycasey from Massachusetts

Jan 09, 2024
 
Rated: 3.99 by Shiredave from New York

Dec 29, 2023
 
Rated: 4.09 by Oktoberfest from Ohio

Dec 15, 2023
 
Rated: 3.67 by Nyoder

Dec 04, 2023
Photo of D-Dog81
Reviewed 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
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, 2023
Photo of DimlyLitQuonsetHut
Reviewed 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
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, 2023
 
Rated: 4.24 by RalphStanley34 from French Polynesia

Nov 19, 2023
Photo of Howard_e2001
Reviewed by Howard_e2001

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, 2023
 
Rated: 3.92 by Taenim from Maine

Nov 07, 2023
Photo of BJB13
Reviewed by BJB13 from Maryland

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, 2023
 
Rated: 4.29 by jordanginsberg from Louisiana

Aug 12, 2023
Photo of NeilSilber1
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
Pours dark tan with light Belgium style carbonization. Malty sweat finish make this an amazing domestic Belgium style strong ale.
Aug 09, 2023
 
Rated: 4.18 by Tree_powers from Indiana

Aug 04, 2023
Three Philosophers from Brewery Ommegang
Beer rating: 92 out of 100 with 6864 ratings