Ommegang/Alemsith Philosophy and Velocity

 

Review Date 9/18/2021  By John Staradumsky

           

Sometimes, one plus one equals three. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. The more the merrier. Two great tastes that taste great together. You get the idea. I’m talking, of course, about brewery collaborations. They’re wonderful, and usually yield some interesting results. After all, we’re all on the same side folks, the furtherance and promotion of craft beer!

The latest such venture to pass my lips is Philosophy and Velocity, a collaboration brew between two of America’s best breweries, Ommegang on the east coast and Alesmith from the west. Here’s what they say about this beer:

Philosophy and Velocity combines two iconic imperial beers from East and West: Brewery Ommegang’s Three Philosophers, and Alesmith Brewing’s Speedway Stout. For this project, each brewery crafted a singular blend to release through their own channels. From the East Coast, Ommegang brewed a Belgian-inspired version of Speedway Stout to blend with their Three Philosophers Quadruple Ale. From the West, Alesmith brewed an American ale variant on Three Philosophers to blend with their robust, coffee-infused Speedway Stout. The result? Two incredible imperial ales, released simultaneously for side-by-side comparison.

The Ommegang variant pours black with tawny auburn flecks, topped by a frothy tan head. Aromas of chocolate, dark fruit, and roast coffee lead to textured flavors of cocoa and caramel. Carbonation lifts this beer to a darkly lingering finish, with hints of cherry and spicy Belgian yeast. A big, balanced hybrid of Belgian-style strong ale and imperial stout.

Interestingly, although we do get Ommegang beers here in Georgia, I have not seen Philosophy and Velocity for sale. Granted, my travels are not as extensive these days, with Covid everywhere. I got my can from Craftshack, which is also interesting because I got the Ommegang-brewed east coast version, and Craftshack is located on the west coast.

I am very fond of both the base beers blended to make Philosophy and Velocity. Ommegang Three Philosophers (which is already a blended beer) and Alesmith Speedway Stout, although I do think the latter is a bit overpriced.  

Ommegang/Alesmith Philosophy and Velocity has an alcohol content of 10.8% by volume. I paid $4.00 for my can from Craftshack, and it sells for $14.99 a 4-pack at Total Wine, though not in Georgia. My can is stamped BEST BY 081725. Good thing I hurried and drank it.

Ingredients from the Ommegang website:

FERMENTABLES Two-row base, caramel specialty malt, chocolate malt, roasted barley, Liefmans Cuvee Brut

HOPS Styrian Golding, Cascade, Warrior

YEAST Ommegang House Yeast

Ommegang/Alesmith Philosophy and Velocity pours to a jet-black color with a thick fluffy tan head and a nose of cherry, funk, and coffee. Taking a sip, the beer is smooth and full in body, chocolatey with notes of cherry, brown sugar and funk, black coffee, and a creamy finish that does not seem its 10.8%. Three Philosophers is already a blend of Ommegang Quad with Lindeman’s Kriek, what’s on more blend amongst friends?

Just a delightful beer all around.

Glad I tried it?  T

Would I rebuy it??

 

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled, Canned

(D)=Draft

 



 

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