This is the best of several worlds. Ill-Gotten Booty fans know that I'm partial to quads, especially bourbon-barrel aged. This one is aged in wine barrels, not bourbon, but that hardly detracts from the quality. I've also been experimenting with sours lately. This version of
Three Philosophers is blended with
Kriek ale
. A
Kriek is a
lambic, a traditional Belgian ale that is brewed with wild yeast.
Lambics usually are flavored with fruit. A
kriek is brewed with cherries. I often pair my Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing with a
cassis, or black current,
lambic. Quadrupels or
quads, are typically high in alcohol content, tend to be a medium dark hue and a smooth taste reminiscent of whiskey.
Three Philosophers Wine Barrel pours a coppery hue, with a teeny-tiny beige head. Initially the taste experience was one of a fine bourbon, with cherry undertones. There is medium alcohol heat with a hint of other dark fruits hiding just beyond the veil of perception. As it warmed up there were suggestions of vanilla and toffee. There is a faint tartness, but not as much as I suspected when I saw "kriek" on the label.
Overall, one of the few beers which earned the coveted "10" on the IGB Scale.
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