Why we picked it: Great Brewery. We try to have a different beer from Ommegang in the 24 DoB each year. Hoping this is a good one!
About Ommegang's 3 Philosophers: 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.
Chef's Tasting Notes & Recipes: When simply pairing this it is important to keep in mind that you need a dish that is going to stand up to the big alcohol, rich malt, and subtle cherry. Think hearty; stews, fatty meats, gooey, stinky cheese, and you cannot go wrong. Try this beer as a marinade or in a sauce. In a marinade, the alcohol naturally breaks down the proteins in the meat, tenderizing it, while the flavor of the beer is absorbed. For a sauce, simply reduce over low flame with some additional sour cherries, wait till half is reduced, season with salt, pepper and sugar plus a touch of cream and you are ready to go.
Beer Advocate Score: 91 and 92
Malts: Pils, amber, caramel, Munich, Xtra Special
Hops: Spalt Select and Styrian Golding
Spices: none
Blended with: 2% Liefmans Kriek
Yeast: Ommegang house yeast
OG: 21.5 Plato
FG: 3.9 Plato
ABV: 9.7%
IBU: 19
Case Cost: $86 ($16 a four pack)
*website: http://www.ommegang.com/#!beer_three
I am NOT wasting a drop of this beer by making a damn sauce. I fully intend to drink it...just saying.
ReplyDeleteAfter drinking this one, I must amend my statement and admit that this would make a pretty amazing sauce to go with pork or lamb. Still would never waste it in a marinade tho.
DeleteOut of town on a business trip this week. Looking forward to coming home to this tonight.
ReplyDeleteOk well I don't know if it was three days on the road, training an ambivalent client, dreary New England weather, two flight delays in NH or getting home at 9:30 at night, but this one just did not do it for me. But based on my past experience with this brewery, I have promised myself to try this again under more favorable circumstances. Call it "life pairing".
Delete"Refills all around"
ReplyDeleteNice pour with creamy head, Nicely flavored, definite Belgian sweetness but not as intense as some Belgians. The cherry/Kriek isn't as evident as I might like. Solid offering.
I love this beer. By far one of my favorites. Perfect in all categories.
ReplyDeleteok...I'm making up for lost time after being away to Chicago last weekend and managing a tricky release until midnight each night this week. But I'll get back on the good list from here on out cause now I'm on vacation!!!
ReplyDeleteTony's right...I have sucked....I'll be back with a review
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of this one...it almost had the taste of a sour.....but I didn't like how the flavors mixed with each other.
DeleteNot too sweet, not too malty. Nice balance of flavors. Different than the normal stuff that I drink but I'll keep it on my list for a 6-pack
ReplyDeleteOmmegang is a good go to beer because mostly everything they make is great. This one is definitely up there. It's got everything I want in a quad and more. Makes me want to philosophize.
ReplyDeleteThis beer is awesome, that is all.
ReplyDeleteLove every bit of this beer. Ommegang beers are great and this one was no different. 9 of 10, A-
ReplyDeleteLove Ommegang. Love this beer. Ro thought it was too cherry but I thought that was pretty subtle. I honestly have no complaints about this. Probably my favorite beer of the month (so far). I'd drink it more often but I'd be drunk(er) and poor(er).
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a child, I dreamed of going to Cooperstown to see the Hall of Fame. Now that I am older, it's all about the Ommegang Brewery. I guess I could probably do both. Should have headed up for the Big Unit's induction this summer, but maybe when Ichiro gets inducted and brings Edgar in on his coattails.
Don't forget that Ommegang also has an outdoor concert but venue attached to it and gets some pretty awesome acts. It could be the best of everything with the right show. BTW, The Kid, Griffey Jr. goes in this year!
DeleteOmmagang does an epic beer festival every August and I hear it is amazing. I'm going next year. If anyone feels like making a field trip, I'm sure I could round us up some free tickets with my ommegang rep.
DeleteTommyD, I don't know you that well, but you are clearly my favorite person here (initiating sucking up).
DeleteNow this is what a good Belgian should taste like. Uh, that's what she said. I love Ommegang and this offering did not disappoint. From the first sip to the last, this beer was very enjoyable. You could immediately taste the wheat and yeast--just like a good Belgian. I could continue to heap on the adjectives, comparisons to all things good, and a partridge in a pear tree.
ReplyDeleteThis is what I'm talking about. This was the ideal winter beer in my opinion, dark color, good head, caramel taste, the list goes on and on. Ommegang comes through again. I will be looking for a 6 pack of this for Christmas eve for sure. A+
ReplyDeleteGood stuff! Strong but interesting and balanced. This is perfect for the 24 DoB lineup.
ReplyDeleteOf the 8 or so beers og the 24DOB that I had previously enjoyed, this is the one I looked forward to the most. I love Ommegang and I love 3 Philosophers. So after the gym, Ive busted our a fancy beer glass, turned on an episode of Drunk History (highly recommended when drinking high ABVs) and I am enjoying every sip of the subtle cherry and rich. strong Belgian. Just wonderful. 4.5/5. Best so far.
ReplyDeleteSide note: A few years back my in-laws got this for me, along with a couple other 750ml Ommegangs, for Xmas. That's when I knew for sure I married into the right family. Beer makes families stronger.
This is a delightful beer! I also am a fan of ommegang and have been supporting and selling their products since they came on the market.
ReplyDeleteI am generally not a fan of any fruit in my beer but this one is so well done that I give it a pass.
My only complaint (other than it has fruit in it) is that it is a bit over carbonated.
Honestly, this tastes quite a bit like the mad elf. Given the choice between the two, I would much rather cozy up to a bomber of the Mad Elf.
It took me a few years to come around to liking Belgians. Now that I do, quads are my favorites by far. The cherry, raisin, plum, cinnamon flavors all fighting for dominance make a hell of a combo. Which brings me to this here entry....
ReplyDeleteThis one has half the flavors I normally get in a Quad. The cherry is definitely there and I get just a vague tease of cinnamon. The plum and raisins nowhere to be found. Strike 1. Not to be dramatic but the cherry completely over powers the remaining flavor of cinnamon. I like cherries and all but I want the other flavors to put up a fight, royal rumble style. I don't care if the cherry starts out strong but then gets knocked off by the plum which then gets subdued by the raisin who finally gets defeated by cinnamon in the aftertaste. That's far more interesting than what you get in this here brew. Strike 2.
So strike 3. Well there is no strike 3. It's still a good beer I've just had much better quads. B!
This was my favorite beer to date. I don't quite know why other than it was not too bitter but had some unusual complexity to it. I wish I had a few more days of this.
ReplyDeleteI would never say 'by far' considering how many beers I've liked this year, but this is the front runner. I've heard about it, but never had it. Belgians are always a flirtation for me, but I'd drink a 6 pack of this in an evening... well, maybe half a six pack so I can actually get up in the morning.
ReplyDeleteGood Belgian caramel-maltiness but lesser bodied than an actual Belgian. Very light on the nose. Training wheels for people breaking into the style.
ReplyDeleteyuck!!! Too much fruity taste and after taste
ReplyDeleteOMG is a great brewery. The 3 P's is the 2nd of 3 that I had already had before and I still dig it every time.
ReplyDeleteSorry I can't post over the weekend. I can't figure out how to log onto BlogSpot using IOS/safari, so you have to wait till Mondays to get my notes on ones from Thurs-Sun.