Deschutes Brewery - The Stoic

Does anyone out there play Words with Friends?  I'm dangerously addicted to this scrabble-esque game, it's like a bad crack habit.  Why?  First of all, it's free, my favorite price.  Secondly, I'm damn good at it.  If you're up for a challenge - start a game with me - my name is 'Duny22'.  Disclaimer:  If you challenge me, you will lose, probably many times over, and I'm not liable for your disappointment or frustration.  You've been warned!

Tonight, while I kick your asses in Words with Friends, I'll be drinking The Stoic from Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon.  The Stoic is a Belgian-style Quadrupel Ale loaded with 11% alcohol.  This brew is fermented in 4 different stages, and aged in rye whiskey and wine casks.  There are some other, well-known Quads that Steve and I have had in the past, like the Trappistes Rochefort 10 and Ommegang Three Philosophers - brews in this style tend to be malty, fruity, and on the higher end of the alcohol spectrum.  Let's see how The Stoic stacks up against the rest of the pack.

This beer comes in a bomber bottle with a wax-sealed cap and a label that explains this is "A prized, potent Belgian-Styled Quad of stirring depth and complexity".  Below that it states "The Stoic: Malt Beverage brewed with pomegranate with 16.5% being aged in oak wine barrels and 16.5% being aged in oak rye whiskey barrels".  The beer is a clear, golden orange color, a lot lighter than I expected.  While this first glass is clear, I can see plenty of sediment stirred up in the bottom of the bottle.  The pour leaves an inch of fluffy white foam.  The aroma accentuates the Belgian yeast-funk up front, plenty of bananas, candied apples, cinnamon sugar, and tart, spicy alcohol fumes.  The fumes really waft out of the glass.  First sip, starts off with a wave of tart, sugary sweetness.  Then the yeast comes into play with a sour farmhouse flavor - grassy, herbal, earthy.  Towards the end, the fruits finally come through - hints of pomegranate, and some warm, woody oak is also there.  The alcohol finishes things off with some heat. 

Overall Rating:  This was a tough beer to rate.  Positives - pleasant quad flavors, the base beer is obviously very good.  Negatives - the pomegranate and barrel aging create too much of a diversion, and take away from what must be a great Quad at the foundation.  A good beer, but not quite great.  B 

Ommegang - Three Philosophers

Tonight I have the pleasure of reviewing one of the best beers crafted in America according to the Homerbrewers Association and the readers of their publication, Zymurgy.  Brewery Ommegang's Three Philosophers ranked tied for 29th alongside four other competitors.  The top beer on the list, three years running, is Russian River's Pliny the Elder.  They don't distribute out here so if you can get this brew out where you live Dunz and I would happily do a brew trade in order to experience what so many others are raving about.  There are a lot of other brews on that list that we have already reviewed.  Check out the list and compare our thoughts to see if their ranking on the list is warranted!

If you look close enough you can see my
cat in the background, playing a kitty version
of Wheres Waldo.

Brewery Ommegang has one of the bigger presences within the States when it comes to authentic European and Belgian brews.  We reviewed their Rare Vos and Abbey Ale and thought both were great.  The Abbey Ale post has a good background of the breweries origins and how they got to where they are today.

Three Philosophers is an authentic Belgian quad blended with a cherry Kriek with an additional 2% cherries added to accentuate the flavor.  Very unique, I doubt there is another beer on the market like it within the U.S.  The bottle reminds us to pour the beer slowly so as to not disturb the yeast on the bottom but vigorous enough to create a "luxurious head and release the sumptuous bouquet".  Ommegang does a great job at getting you in the mindset to enjoy their beer.  They don't want you to just drink the beer, they want you to have a great overall experience.

Ommegang's Belgian blend is a deep mahogany color with a sandy tan head.  With a robust 9.4% ABV the head recedes rather quickly and forms a thin tan lacing around the circumference of my glass.  The first smell is of dark candied fruit and Belgian spice.  Hints of alcohol come through with some black licorice tip-toeing throughout.  The flavor is where the Kriek's role comes in.  Smooth and creamy, dark candied black cherries blend together with an intense malty spice that you only find in well crafted Belgian brews.  Some alcohol warmth plays nicely with a subtle carbonation to accentuate the flavors all the way through to the finish.

Overall - If you enjoy Belgian brews you cannot pass up Ommegang's Three Philosophers.  Originally, I had thought the Kriek would play a larger role here but the quad that its blended with does a nice job taking center stage and allowing the cherry Kriek to play a supporting role.  It adds an additional layer of complexity that keeps you coming back for another sip.