Urthel Samaranth - De Leyerth Brouwerijen (Urthel)

oracle

Indiana

4.1/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer arrived a clear light yellow with large fluffy head that left large amounts of lacing on the glass.

Amroma was all spice and floral notes. Not of lot of hops present in the aroma at all.

Taste was quite good. Strongly flavored, with a predominating sweetness to it and a mildly bitter finish. Strong alcohol presensce as well.

I will try this again if I get the chance to have it on tap again.

Serving type: on-tap

01-07-2005 13:48:22 | More by oracle

clvand0

Kentucky

4.33/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Large 25.4oz bottle. Cork explosion here. This beer pours a yellow color with a huge head that has great retention and leaves some lacing on the glass. Lots of spices in the aroma. The flavor is very spicy as well. Some caramel malts as well as some alcohol. Finishes with a lot of spices. Very good. This is really how I like a Belgian to be.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2005 14:56:31 | More by clvand0

kmpitz2

Tennessee

4.33/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Shit man. We just popped the cork, and it was under so much pressure it hit the ceiling and came back down and nailed Chris before we knew what happened. That is the most explosive popping of the cork that I have ever seen. The beer pours very heady, with about 5 fingers of head over the beer that don't really allow us to get the contents of the bottle to the two glasses. The beer pours a golden amber color with a thick head that stays around. The nose is light raisin and tons a spiceys. The flavor is much more intense than the nose would tell. Lots of good raisin followed by a good dose of alcohol, finishing with a really big blast of spiceyness. The feel is right at moderate, smooth and slightly creamy. This beer has an aparent alcohol, but its not really affecting how easily it goes down. I think this is a very nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2004 20:40:04 | More by kmpitz2

ppoitras

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -25.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

11.2oz bottle obtained via trade with CRJMellor. Thanks for the opportunity...

Poured into a Rapscallion glass, formed a 1/2" of eggshell head over the light copper brew. Head is resilient, with good lacing. Aroma is yeasty fruits, with a sweet undertone. Taste is initially slightly spicy malt, which gives way to excessive sweetness. Alcohol is not particularly apparent, but that mouthful of sugar could hide just about anything. Mouthfeel and drinkability both quashed by the sweetness, which for me, even for a quadrupel, seemed over-the-top. Worth a try if quads are your thing, but I probably won't be revisiting.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2004 01:34:06 | More by ppoitras

oberon

North Carolina

3.95/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Pourrs ashiney orange with a fluffy head that leaves globs of lace down my tulip glass,aromas of toasted grain and very fruity banana really comes out along with some very ripe sweet pineapple even noticed a little chocolate in there.Spicey flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg with a light tropical fruitiness with the alcohol burn really coming thru as it warms.Quite yeasty in the Belgian tradition a good cold weather sipper here on Xmas eve a nice quad.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2004 00:30:30 | More by oberon

Gavage

New Jersey

4.18/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: orange amber in color with a thick 2" head. Lacing was thick as a coat of paint on the side of the glass.

Smell: the aroma was fruity, sweet malts and alcohol.

Taste: the flavor is super as bread tones, caramel, raisin, plum, yeast, alcohol, and citrus fruit were all nicely balanced. Very quiet and mild bitterness.

Mouthfeel: smooth at the start with a creamy dry finish.

Drinkability: nice for a quadruple. Great brew - worth seeking out.

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2004 23:22:37 | More by Gavage

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very good but not outstanding yeast makes for a much better than average brew. SIgnificantly spicy, orange-pineapple citrusy, nice orange with pretty lace. Liquorish. biscuit medium mouthfeel. Bitter finish. Nice hops, noticeable alcohol. Barleywine and citrus yeast aroma.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2004 01:42:36 | More by northyorksammy

danadeny

Colorado

3.9/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at Anam Cara. Pours a huge head, more than half the glass, so you have to wait for this one to settle down. Smells malty and fruity, with some bread smell too. Reminded me of a Belgian waffle with fruit poured over the top. Strong coconut and pineapple as well. The flavor has the hints of coconut, and somewhat musty / earthy tone. Strong alcohol flavors through out, and a watery mouth feel.

Serving type: on-tap

10-27-2004 18:58:33 | More by danadeny

Truh

New Hampshire

4.15/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Dreamed I had a bushy mustache with this one on 10/6/2004. ?-oz. pour at ACPH in an absolutely awe-inspiring Urthel glass. Noted the wording “Belgium’s Newest Cult Beer” on the base of the glass and wondered if by cult they meant following or actual worshipping of idols as finishing this pour almost had me on my knees in reverence.

Godzilla malt start with raspberry fruitiness and funky banana notes to nose. Hue was light ochre mixed with molten yellow gold (as opposed to white), but verging closer to off-claret than gold, actually. Woody malt with a treacle sweetbread tossed in, as well as a fine candy apple sweetness. Clearly, this one was complex. A deep alcohol fruit crank at the end almost overwhelms the pour, but not quite; it tiptoes up to the line but doesn’t step beyond it.

A finishing tartness brought a pouting smile to my lips as I finished my last sip with the warring angel and devil at my shoulders completing their battle - the side of darkness capitulated, with white’s bald statement that the following day was a “school day” resonating in the hollows of my mind.

Serving type: on-tap

10-14-2004 01:37:32 | More by Truh

UncleJimbo

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sampled on tap at Anam Cara.

This Belgian Quadrupel ale poured a very slightly hazy amber color with tall, pillowy, white foam that persisted. Very nice. The smell was mildly fruity: banana, coconut, and pineapple. There was some caramel and a bit of sweetness in the aroma as well. The taste was sweet with notes of caramel, malt, coconut, fruit (bananas, pineapple). As the beer warmed, a bit of alcohol could be tasted. The mouthfeel was smooth but with an initial sharpness. It was sweet with medium body and low carbonation feel. The sweet fruitiness lingered. This was a good, sipping beer. Enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2004 07:00:53 | More by UncleJimbo

nomad

Kansas

3.08/5  rDev -23.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pale orange color with sparse bubbles for a head, it is as pale and clear as a high alcohol Belgian you might ever find.this Smells strongly of booze, bushels of floral hops, and a sickly sense of fruit esters. Maybe only one scent came at a time, but each was repelling on its own though even moreso in succession. Unfortunately this carries over to the palate which is hot with bare alcohol. The body is sweet in a light cordial fruit-wine way but then barraged with prickly stings of floral hops.

Appears that I should cellar one for awhile and then re-assess. A bit brazen and sharp at this point.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2004 12:56:38 | More by nomad

PatandDavid

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I thought this was really really good. Not the most outstanding brew ever, but very good. Had it first last Friday at Redbones, and reading my notes say form that session: I'll be honest, the beer sounds decent, but no real exclamation points. Now on the next evening where I encounter it again on tap at Anam Cara. I got to drink it out of the most adorable glass ever (sorry!): big nose, gnome like fella, green meadow and flowers around the bottom of the glass. Of course, the proper glass made cream colored head about 10 ft tall (ok, more like 2-3 inches). Anyway, the presentation brought it all back on what lept out at me on the intitial sample I had at bones (before I ruined my pallet with another brew): Powdered cinnamon and yeast in the aroma. The beer had an orange amber glow to it. I found it full bodied, with more cinnamon spice in the taste. Yeatiness is apparent, although the alcohol sneaks in at end (at 12%, how could it not). Tasty. A special treat. Blew me 1/4 away across the room, but note: not halfway across the room.

Serving type: on-tap

09-29-2004 23:46:27 | More by PatandDavid

crookedhalo

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

75 cl cork and caged bottle. Pours a hazed copper/bronze with a willful beige head. Aromas of some hefty teast, malt and a small bit of fruitiness. Head and lacing doesn't quit. Some biscuity-type malt flavors with some underlying fruitness to it, shortly like blueberry. A definite higher-alcohol puncher. A good. fruity quad, some that should be considered by many as a quality, high-gravity brew.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2004 10:35:12 | More by crookedhalo

CRJMellor

Arkansas

3.9/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a light maroon hue with golden highlights. Thin tan head leaves sheets of lace on the glass.
Aroma is very faint, but what is there is dark fruit related. Some cherry, strawberry and some camelized grain with a bit of spciy yeast.
Flavor is malt liquor, some cherry and raisin notes with some honey in the background and just a touch of chocolate layered in.
Mouthfeel stars with a bready hit that slides into a tart, alcoholic pop and finishes with some zesty spiciness. Hides high ABV very well.
Drinkability is very good. Little bit lighter that some quads but a sloid drinking beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2004 14:24:58 | More by CRJMellor

RoyalT

Ohio

4.53/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - This one poured a beautiful, brownish-orange in color. It was cloudy but glowing at the same time. The big, white head came up nicely, showed good retention, and left some cool-looking pits of foam on top of the liquid.

Smell - This Quadrupel reeks of orange rind. Beneath that smell the toasted malts and citrus hops are filled with giant, powdering spices. I can also pick up a hint of yeast. This is a very complex nose and I'm sure I'm not doing it justice here.

Taste - The yeast came out much bigger at the taste. The rindy orange didn't disappoint and came along from the nose as well. The big, heavily-sweetened orange and cranberry juices stole the show, though.

Mouthfeel - This one is medium to full-bodied with some light carbonation. It is creamy and rich in texture with a finish that is both sweet and dry at the same time.

Drinkability - I felt like a king drinking this bottle. It is very well-balanced and is the "grand-cru" of the Urthel line.

Update - I popped a bottle for 2005 and was equally as pleased. The Appearance could not have been better so I'm raising this rating from 4.5 to 5.0. This is a top notch Quad that delivers in spades and, IMO, is underrated.

Update - I came upon a 2008 the other day so am taking my time at enjoying another bomber. This ranks right up there with the classic Quads like the 12s brothers and 3P.

Update - I got a hold of a 2010. This really is a fantastic beer and unlike others of the style is not overly sweetened. There's actually some mild bitterness here that balances out the monster malt profile. This really is a fascinating Quad and I never get tired of exploring the different vintages. Best of all, if you want to age this you can put it away for five years and get a monster sugar-bomb.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2004 16:50:37 | More by RoyalT

ADR

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Big 750 ml bottle...first glass is surprisingly clear, later ones are lightly sedimented. Bright deep darker orange color -- big frothy yellow foam. Laces in sticky globs and sheets. Spicy aroma along with a vanilla-infused custard smell, nice. Heavy cinnamon sense comes on in the flavor quickly, but so is an impressive bittering that gets a little on the annoying side. Maltiness is good up front, some sense of pear and cherry but the body seems a little thin for as big a beer as this. Finishes dry with alcoholic heat. For a Quad, I was surprised how bitter and dry this one was (similarities to the Tripel recipe ?). Combined with the alcohol, this was less drinkable than I was expecting.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2004 20:24:48 | More by ADR

Wildman

Ohio

4.2/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Well, the cork on this one went of like a rocket. It poured an clear amber color and formed a bubbly white head that left circular lace as it subsided. A medium amount of carbonation is present. An aroma of malt, caramel, and spices with a hint of ginger. The flavor was of malt, caramel, yeast and some candy sweetness, with a warming aspect of the alcohol present. The finish was a bit sprite, yet sweet with a hint of dryness, but not really that astrigent. Another pretty good beer by this brewer at a good price for a Belgian.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2004 00:21:28 | More by Wildman

stcules

Italy

3.85/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Amber-cherry colour, with a white foam, compact and with medium pesistence.
At the smell: caramel, malt, honey (a lot), bread, ginger, ripe melon, wither flowers.
The taste is fruity again: melon, pear, almond. Sweet.
Full and strong body. Well hidden alcohol (12%).
The aftertaste is on the same notes, fruity and warming, with a hop bitter in the finish that come back and envelops all.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2004 13:33:37 | More by stcules