Three Philosophers

This Belgian quad is much better than most Belgians. Still, I get the feeling that Belgians would have done well to focus on their waffles and leave beer making to the Germans and British.

Scythe & Sickle

'Tis the season for Christmas parties, Church programs, and gift giving. We came home from the Preschool Christmas program to find our dear neighbors, the WestIns, had left a plate of treats for us. This special harvest ale, flavorful with a variety of grains and a bit of Belgian sour, pairs nicely with the Christmas treats and festive times of the day.

Three Philosophers

To fully enjoy this Advent Beer Calendar each day, I pull each beer from the box early in the day and then spend half the day in anticipation, using free moments now and again to do background research and deliberate on the glassware I will be using. So before heading out to make some visits in Northeast Iowa and conduct a service in Decorah I pulled out today's choice to give me something to think about on the car ride, and this one was particularly fun for anticipation. On a number of occasions over the past several years I have mentioned how much I really wanted to try Ommegang's Three Philosophers Quadrupel Ale. On one of those occasions, Sandy must have been listening and so she made sure a bottle was included this Advent. After all this anticipation, drinking it was not disappointing in anyway. The flavor is full and complex, as promised. Notes of raisins, bananas and spice ebb and flow throughout. As the carbonation escapes and the beer warms in the snifter the flavors mellow and relax. Very nice.

Ommegang Abbey Ale

Whenever I see their trucks, my mouth waters, anticipating that moment when I taste a sample from the brewers in Cooperstown, New Jersey. I got that first chance today during the second half of the Hawkeye game.

It appears that Ommegang brews their beers in the Belgian tradition of continually throwing odds and ends of fruits, nuts and spices into the brew pot until it starts to taste good. This Dubbel has been made with annis and orange peels and other stuff printed on the label in letters too small to read. Now normally I would rather follow the German tradition that assumes beer is good on its own. The brewer should have no need to add garden and kitchen scraps. Today however, I must admit that Ommegang Brewery has settled on a recipe that makes an interesting and drinkable ale.