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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 blackie:
Reviewed by blackie from Oregon
3.95/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.95/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
appearance: Pours a fluffy 0.8" khaki head that slowly recedes, though only partially. Little lacing is left behind. The beer is a dark reddish amber in color, with plenty of floaters suspended throughout.
smell: Upon swirling the glass and inhaling deeply, wonderful aromas assault the palate, propelled forth by the ample carbonation. Tart and sweet cherries, fresh aromatic hardwoods, candied tree fruits, and dark sugars are found. The hop aroma seems light, but it may simply be overpowered by the other goodness going on. Nary a hint of the ethanol presence.
mouthfeel: The carbonation is on the lower half of the high range, and composed of small, smooth bubbles. The body is light.
taste: Wild and fruity notes up front. Hints of cherry, oak, slight ethanol, and various fruits are found. Moderate noble hop flavors are found, and considerable bitterness cleans everything up and dries out the finish. Not quite as pleasing as the aroma, but good nonetheless. Just not enough malt character or depth for me.
drinkability: Limited by the dryness, carbonation, and alcohol content (the effects, not the presence), but still good.
Purchased last August, and cellared about 8 months since then.
note: Sometime early in the winter of 2006-2007, probably around November, I had a 2003 bottle sent to me by goodbyeohio in "These go to eleven...a bif," and it was absolutely awesome.
Apr 27, 2006smell: Upon swirling the glass and inhaling deeply, wonderful aromas assault the palate, propelled forth by the ample carbonation. Tart and sweet cherries, fresh aromatic hardwoods, candied tree fruits, and dark sugars are found. The hop aroma seems light, but it may simply be overpowered by the other goodness going on. Nary a hint of the ethanol presence.
mouthfeel: The carbonation is on the lower half of the high range, and composed of small, smooth bubbles. The body is light.
taste: Wild and fruity notes up front. Hints of cherry, oak, slight ethanol, and various fruits are found. Moderate noble hop flavors are found, and considerable bitterness cleans everything up and dries out the finish. Not quite as pleasing as the aroma, but good nonetheless. Just not enough malt character or depth for me.
drinkability: Limited by the dryness, carbonation, and alcohol content (the effects, not the presence), but still good.
Purchased last August, and cellared about 8 months since then.
note: Sometime early in the winter of 2006-2007, probably around November, I had a 2003 bottle sent to me by goodbyeohio in "These go to eleven...a bif," and it was absolutely awesome.
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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