Beer of the Weekend #198: Three Philosophers
All righty. This is the last candidate for my February LV recommendation. Yesterday afternoon I retried Rogue’s Mocha Porter (BotW #108). I really did not care for it, especially since I got a lot of grapefruit citrus action, which is insane for a dark beer. Right now, I have to say Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout is in the lead by a wide margin. I did a very poor job picking this set of contenders. Either that, or there are just not many smooth, chocolaty beers with slight hints of cherry and dark fruit on the market.
The final candidate (from this batch, at least) is Three Philosophers, brewed by the Brewery Ommegang of Cooperstown, New York.
I believe this is the first Empire State beer I have ever tried.
Serving type: One 12-ounce bottle. Printed on the bottle is the best-by date: 07/2015.
Appearance: Straight pour into a tulip glass. The color is a hazy, dark, ruby/caramel color. Two fingers of slightly tanned head developed and dissipated slowly to leave a thin skim and ring around the edge. There is a little sedimentation at the bottom of the bottle.
Smell: Noticeable at first is the Belgian yeast, which is most prominent. Underneath are aromas of slightly roasted caramel, a little chocolate, and tart cherry, which is unfortunately reminiscent of cough syrup. There is also a little herbal spice (maybe clove?) and raspberry, too, but it is very faint and may have just been a part of my imagination. It is also a little on the boozy side; the alcohol definitely makes the nose hairs stand at attention.
Taste: Massive Belgian yeast character that shares the lead role with the cherry tartness, though it thankfully does not taste like cherry cough syrup because it is missing the cherry flavor; it is just a dark fruit tartness. I would much rather have a general tartness than full blown cough syrup, though. There is, however, a little bit of plum and clove spiciness. Flavors of chocolate and slightly roasted caramel are also present. Each sip leaves a hint of bitterness lingering on the cheeks, and the alcohol is very well hidden.
Drinkability: Very smooth drinking and tasty, and also very well crafted. However, I don’t really see what the big deal is. It’s a great beer, but on par with and similar to other Belgians I have tried.
Fun facts about Three Philosophers:
-Style: Quadruple (or Quad, for short). This is the first Quad I have ever drank, too. Here is some information from BA:
-Price: $3.49/bottle at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: The label says, “Serve at 50ºF.”
-Alcohol content: 9.8 percent ABV.
-Food pairings: The Brewery Ommegang website says to “[t]ry Three Philosophers as: a delightful accompaniment for roasted meats, rich cheeses, desserts, and for after dinner sipping as with a fine port.”
-The label instructs drinkers to “[p]our slowly so as to not disturb the yeast sediment…” Really? Too late.
The Quiet Man’s grade: A-.
The final candidate (from this batch, at least) is Three Philosophers, brewed by the Brewery Ommegang of Cooperstown, New York.
I believe this is the first Empire State beer I have ever tried.
Serving type: One 12-ounce bottle. Printed on the bottle is the best-by date: 07/2015.
Appearance: Straight pour into a tulip glass. The color is a hazy, dark, ruby/caramel color. Two fingers of slightly tanned head developed and dissipated slowly to leave a thin skim and ring around the edge. There is a little sedimentation at the bottom of the bottle.
Smell: Noticeable at first is the Belgian yeast, which is most prominent. Underneath are aromas of slightly roasted caramel, a little chocolate, and tart cherry, which is unfortunately reminiscent of cough syrup. There is also a little herbal spice (maybe clove?) and raspberry, too, but it is very faint and may have just been a part of my imagination. It is also a little on the boozy side; the alcohol definitely makes the nose hairs stand at attention.
Taste: Massive Belgian yeast character that shares the lead role with the cherry tartness, though it thankfully does not taste like cherry cough syrup because it is missing the cherry flavor; it is just a dark fruit tartness. I would much rather have a general tartness than full blown cough syrup, though. There is, however, a little bit of plum and clove spiciness. Flavors of chocolate and slightly roasted caramel are also present. Each sip leaves a hint of bitterness lingering on the cheeks, and the alcohol is very well hidden.
Drinkability: Very smooth drinking and tasty, and also very well crafted. However, I don’t really see what the big deal is. It’s a great beer, but on par with and similar to other Belgians I have tried.
Fun facts about Three Philosophers:
-Style: Quadruple (or Quad, for short). This is the first Quad I have ever drank, too. Here is some information from BA:
Inspired by the Trappist brewers of Belgium, a Quadrupel is a Belgian style ale of great strength with bolder flavor compared to its Dubbel and Tripel sister styles. Typically a dark creation that ranges within the deep red, brown and garnet hues. Full bodied with a rich malty palate. Phenols are usually at a moderate level. Sweet with a low bitterness yet a well perceived alcohol.
-Price: $3.49/bottle at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: The label says, “Serve at 50ºF.”
-Alcohol content: 9.8 percent ABV.
-Food pairings: The Brewery Ommegang website says to “[t]ry Three Philosophers as: a delightful accompaniment for roasted meats, rich cheeses, desserts, and for after dinner sipping as with a fine port.”
-The label instructs drinkers to “[p]our slowly so as to not disturb the yeast sediment…” Really? Too late.
The Quiet Man’s grade: A-.
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