Brews and Blues Beer and Smokin’ Blues

Three Philosophers

Brewery: Brewery Ommegang
Where: Cooperstown, New York
Beer: Three Philosophers
Style: Quadrupel (Quad)
IBU: N/A
ABV: 9.8%

It's Christmas eve... it's quiet.  It won't last long, because tomorrow will be one of those hectic days.  I didn't see three wise men from afar this evening, but I did have a bottle of Three Philosophers stashed away for a special occasion. 

Three Philosophers is a big Belgian quadrupel that kicks in at 9.8% ABV, so it's definitely one that requires some patience and attention once you start drinking it.  This beer poured with a big brownish-amber color and foamy head.  At nearly 10% I could smell a slight aroma of alcohol as I poured this, but the big malty blast followed that very quickly.  This particular beer is a blend of 98% quadrupel ale and 2% cherry lambic, so that very small addition of the lambic adds the faintest flavor of cherry to this already fantastic beer.  This big malty beer leaves a beautiful aftertaste that has a very mild tartness to it. 

This bottle has an interesting quote on the label I'd like to share...

Brewery Ommegang is 3,264 miles from Brussels, but its heart is right in Belgium.  It was created out of our devotion to the unique ales brewed by the country where brewing is an art and partaking is a passion.