Urthel Samaranth - De Leyerth Brouwerijen (Urthel)

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Urthel Samarath

Pours a beige head. Color is a clear copper gold.

Aroma: Sweet and inviting. Caramel, plums, raisins, dried cherries. Malty with no hops showing.

Taste: Very bready and malty. Toffee and caramel with some spices. A lot of dark fruits. Plums, raisins, and cherries.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and creamy. Medium to full bodied with a medium amount of carbonation. Ends with a bit of alcohol.

Overall, a decent quad with a lot of solid flavors. I dig it. I really enjoyed all of the fruit flavors here.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2011 16:46:38 | More by mothman

AmericanGothic

Iowa

4.83/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured into a Unibroue tulip.

A: Pours a light chestnut/copper color. Two fingers of billowy, pale tan head with excellent retention and very nice lace. Clear with good carbonation.

S: Ripe pears, and lots of them! Some sweet bready malt behind that. Aromas become a bit muted as the beer warms, but still stay present.

T: Sweet molasses up front, then sweet malts, long finish with a bit of pepper and a ghost of bitterness. As the beer warms, a distinct menthol flavor and mouthfeel emerge, also layers of dark fruits. Alcohol just barely creeps in, some might not notice it at all. Whoa, bergamot slices through, and then guava, finally port! Very intense, and keeps evolving throug the very last sip.

M: Full bodied, but carbonation keeps it light and very creamy.

O: A fantastic quad. Will certainly buy this again.

I understand that the Koenigshoeven quad was the original inspiration for this, and they are quite similar. This one impresses me as a bit spicier and not quite as sweet, but variety is a good thing and I wouldn't fault either for not being the other. This one also seems far more complex in the flavor profile, and I'd give it five and a half on taste if I could. Luscious stuff, makes this quad-lover plenty happy indeed.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2011 17:40:42 | More by AmericanGothic

doopiedoopiedoo

Netherlands

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

Never had this quad before and after trying the UrtheL Saison and Urthel Hop it I thought it be time to try this one. I picked up a few bottles from the bottle shop around the corner.

Poured from a 33cl bottle into a snifter.

It came out copper brown with a full two finger head. Enthusiastic carbonation visible.

Strong caramel scent. Very sweet. Malt and yeast are also detectable on the nose.

Very sweet candy like flavor. A surprising amount of alcohol heat on this one. I feel the 11% go down pretty good.

A creamy medium to full body. Lots of carbonation. Dry to neutral finish. Leaves my mouth pretty well coated with the candy like flavors and a alcohol burn.

Not the king of quads but a good quad. Since I also have great acces to Rochefort, St Bernardus and even Westvleteren I don't see myself picking up this one more often.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2011 19:13:15 | More by doopiedoopiedoo

Hopfenpeter

Maryland

4.22/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is my first Belgium Quad. Poured into my crystal mug the color is a rich deep amber gold, with a creamy beige colored head, about one inch and lasting for awhile.
The smell announces a very complex palette. Malt, caramel, butterscotch, dark fruits, brown sugar, fig and you probably could go on in finding aromas. Very inviting!
The taste is just vas complex and is dominated by sweetness, but not to a level of discomfort. All of the above flavors and more balance each other quite nice. You can feel the alcohol.
Very dangerously drinkable. Good mouthfeel and nice tingle. Certainly will buy this beer again, and will add one to my collection to be aged. Great job!

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2011 03:34:28 | More by Hopfenpeter

jayhawk73

Maryland

3.7/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark brown w/ a one finger chocolate head- nice looking beer. Smell is of fig, licorice, spice, and alcohol. Not crazy about the licorice smell. Taste is that of licorice, spices, mint(?), alcohol. Maybe some clove thrown in? Mouthfeel is clean, w/ fig/alcohol aftertaste. Not the normal quad- this is definitely different than anything in this style that I've had. Pretty good, but not great. Some of my buddies really liked this one (more than me). Glad I got to try this beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2011 14:52:16 | More by jayhawk73

bskrtz

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2 ounce bottle, served 40 degrees in glass St Bernardus beer challis

A) Very cloudy mixture, burnt milk chocolate with lots of suspended carbonation & yeasties. Slight off white head.

S) Candied sugar, licorice, nutmeg, dark fruit and citrus. Very complex.

T) Sticky sweet malt, roasted nuts, bread pudding, espresso and an ample dose of bitter hopps

M) Very thick and syruppy but lots of fine carbonation that lasts throughout the pour.

D) An outstanding quad with unique hoppiness

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2011 00:05:52 | More by bskrtz

cooch69

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This beer poured into a Tulip form a standard 11.2oz. Belgian bottle.

Lovely deep amber copper color with a nice tan white fluffy two finger head which lasted really long.

Nose of candied sugar, heavy doses of malts, butterscotch and alcohol.
This beers has a deep alcohol warmth to it yet it is still well balanced and complex. Bready malts come through first with a spiciness(nutmeg). Some dark fruits including raisins and figs and a nice warming alcohol to cap it off.
This beer is full bodied with a lovely creamy mouthfeel. A worthy component in the land of Quadrupel's.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2011 22:58:42 | More by cooch69

diamondc

Texas

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

$11.99 for a 750ml bottle. Cork says 42/08

A: Decent size head, clear copper shade (on the first pour), steady stream of bubbles. Good, but Ive seen better.

S: Butterscotch candy, caramel, mead, misc. tropical fruit punch aroma with some fusel alcohol lurking.

T: Grape, butterscotch, sugary raisins, cinnamon, cider-y sweetness. I cant really detect a hop flavor here since the sweetness overwhelms everything.

M/D: Really easy to drink despite the high abv and almost cloying sweetness. A good beer to try at least once.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2011 06:50:27 | More by diamondc

AgentMunky

Alabama

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

Poured from a 33cL bottle into a Gouden Carolus chalice. Best before March 2013.

A: Wine-dark brown, topped by creamy head. Murky enough to prevent anything but a shadow from being visible through the beer. Some sediment. Good lacing.

S: Sweet. Almost too sweet. Candy sugars and faint apricot.

T: Not a let down, fortunately. Sweet, but not oppressively so, with definite dried apricot notes and plenty of candy. Lighter than expected, with some spices and yeast sneaking in. The aftertaste is hopped, dryish, briefer than I'd like, and full of flavour -- predominantly light fruit. Great beer.

M: A bit thin at times, but, on the whole, quite satisfactory.

D: Quite drinkable for the ABV (which is only occasionally noticeable). A good Quad, but not the best. I would drink it again, certainly, but I hesitate to recommend it above more worthy competitors.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2011 23:10:19 | More by AgentMunky

fastsrt

New York

3.7/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

11.2 ounce bottle into a wine glass

A: deep amber, poured with a massive head of loose lace that diminished rather quickly lacing the glass on its way down.

S: alcohol, that typical funky dark Belgian ale smell of the yeast and the candi sugar, spot on for the style just nothing that stands out.

T: it starts sweet and has a boozy finish, and is hot all the way down. it is easy to drink at 11% and gets better as it warms not a bad tasting beer at all.

M: high carbonation lends to help balance things out. boozieness lingers.

D: I am trying to explore more imported beers, so i picked this one up honstly I will never pay money for it again.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2011 08:24:22 | More by fastsrt

alkemy

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Out of the 11.2 oz. bottle...

A - Hazy amber with a touch of deep red. Head doesn't stick around too long.

S - Pretty malty aroma. Dark fruits are pretty noticeable as well as strong caramel. Raisins and figs appear with just a slight booziness.

T - Most notable is the fruity breadiness. You can find different flavors in each drink. The raisins and figs are predominant, but you also notice dark cherries and plums. Caramel is rich and buttery. Alcohol was more present on the way down rather than in the mouth.

M - Full bodied, rich, and smooth. The carbonation creates a creamy feel that matches the flavor very well.

D - Very drinkable for an 11% beer...almost scary. The sweetness is there, but it really doesn't build up to a point of unpleasantness.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2011 19:39:09 | More by alkemy

CaptainTripps

Oregon

3.13/5  rDev -22.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle poured into a duvel tulip

A: Pours a hazy brownish-orangish red that came with 2 and a half fingers worths of off white/light tan head. Left some lacing on the glass, but not as much as most quads.

S: You get your typical quad/BSDA characteristics here: Dark fruits such as plums, figs, currants and raisons but you also get some more hops then you usually get. Some bitterness smell there along with some pretty apparent alcohol.

T: It has a dark fruit (currants and figs mostly) mixed with a pretty big hop character -pretty unusual for a Quad. Bitterness isnt over the top but something new i haven't experienced yet. Alcohol very apparent in this beer; gives it a dry finish. Spices are there to but not over powering. Belgian yeast and candied sugar really masked by the alcohol

M: Creamy and smooth like a quad should be. Very good carbonation. Alcohol very apparent in this beer. Slight burn on the back of the palate. Alcohol could be masked a little better.

D: Fairly good Quad, first that i have had that was fairly bitter. Overall pretty average drinking quad. Not the best on the market but still pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2011 18:52:08 | More by CaptainTripps

SkipWeathers

Texas

4.13/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This was one of the first Belgian ales I ever tried, and definitely the first quad, but that was in 2006; I drank more of it last night, so here's a review:

A - light brown color, whitish-cream head

S - astringent, dried fruit, coffee

T - Predominant coffee-like flavors, alcohol, vanilla, prunes, brown sugar

M - velvety, boozy, slightly dry, leaves a nice coating on the tongue

D - very strong ale, I recommend sharing with a friend

I really like this selection, and like Chimay, another one of my favorites, I often overlook it because I'm always on that quest for the perfect ale, but I should opt for it more often. Definitely my favorite Urthel.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2011 02:18:08 | More by SkipWeathers

jlindros

Massachusetts

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

Tap at Armsby Abbey,
Big fluffy 2 finger creamy head with thick lacing, clear mahogany brown color.

Nose of candi sugar, dark belgian malts, raisins, plums, dates, brown sugar, light booze, light mild hops,

Taste creamy rich belgian malts, a bit of candi and brown sugars, more fruits raisin, fig, light cinnamon and nutty malts, bit of booze, semi sweet but drier than I expected, a bit of a bitterness with a slight earthy taste and bit of mild spicy hops. Finishes a bit drier and sticky, lingering malts and just a hint of the dried sugars.

Mouth is med to a bit heavier bodied with decent carb and warming booze.

Drink is decent, some booze but better than 11%, dry finish, bit of bitterness, nice.

Serving type: on-tap

02-06-2011 19:34:51 | More by jlindros

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - A 3 finger rocky head, tan in color. A clear ruby orange body. Uniform horizontal and vertical lacing throughout.

S - Sweet doughy bread, honey, toasted grain, Christmas spices-cinnamon most notable. Pears, oranges, pineapple,

T - Heavily candied/caramelized pale malt. Honey comes through very strong. Bruised apples, pears, pineapple glaze. The spices seem to hit every corner of the mouth and join in with the alcohol to burn the throat. Yeast is way more prominent in the flavor. It almost envelopes everything. Finishes spicy.

M - Full bodied. Heavy carbonation but rich and creamy and at times a bit syrupy.

This is the oddest Quad I've had to date. It reminds me more of a heavier Triple. There's alot going on in this beer. Very complex yet incredibly drinkable. I loved it. It's almost if there was ingredients in this beer that I've never tasted before.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2011 01:23:29 | More by StaveHooks

BretSikkink

Mexico

3.63/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I was quite surprised by the light orange color pouring from the bottle, and was further surprised by the restrained carbonation. Defnitely the lightest quad I have had, a burnished copper with lighter borders. The head is quite nice, although not huge. It has pleasing softness, but also appears to be leaving good stick. Redeeming.

The nose requires a little imagination, far too light for the style. There are some notable macerated fruits, decent dose of rum raisin. A hint of orange cleaner, and not much else. The flavor brings a little more potency to the table, with a fair amount of sweetness like candy sugar. In back of the sweetness (my teeth hurt a little) there is a browned sugar with fig and date flavor. On a slightly odder note, there are definitely indications of phenols, like a tripel yeast was used. Hints of banana and pretty potent doses of clove.

Good news: booze is huge but well-hidden, body does not get bogged down in thickness, flavor hits some good notes.

Bad news: not overly complex, color and profile are far too light for style, and flavor hits some strange notes. Not the best, but definitely off the beaten path.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2011 03:09:33 | More by BretSikkink

rrski198

Missouri

4.72/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Totally cloudy and deep dark brown. Average off white head, very little lacing. I can see lots of yeast particals floating around, yummy!

S: Very sweet fruit. Cherries, plums, raisins. Traditional belgian yeast scent with the deep sweet fruit smell of an old ale.

T: Biscuity, bready malt up front, then intense sweetness of dark fruits. The booze kicks at the back end of the mouth. Not as dry as expected. Booze bite sticks around.

M: Highly carbonation. Oily and thick. Its like a sweet fillm that coats your mouth. The booze leaves quite the tingle on teh cheeks and gums

D: Damn good beer. This beer is very sweet, however, the finish is clean and it doesn't seem like a sugary mess. As it warms the booze becomes more prevalent but it is quite welcome. Very complex and delicious.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2010 21:08:18 | More by rrski198

BucBasil

South Carolina

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

Poured from the 750mL bottle into a large snifter.

A: The beer is a deep reddish brown that is clear with some sediment and carbonation showing through. Head was 2 fingers, light tan and had ok retention.

S: Very yeasty with hints of berry and a very alcoholic rum character. Brown sugar and some earth make an appearance in there which are covered by cloves and plums. Fresh dark grapes fleeting.

T: Fruity and slightly sugary, with your typical plums and raisins, but also an interesting cherry note, as well as a strong malt backbone of banana bread and rum or port. Finishes with a very big yeasty note and lots of spice, especially clove, and an herbal almost medicinal and bitter character.

M: Smooth going down and very bodied. Slightly drying throughout.

D: This could become slightly cloying, but it was a good solid quad.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2010 05:56:50 | More by BucBasil

Mitchster

Michigan

3.78/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

$4.79 for a 11.2 oz bottle @ Merchants. 11.0% ABV. Production code K28C7 11:06.

Bottle conditioned which pours relatively clear but with a heavy degree of sediment, some of which settles to the bottom. Pours out to a dark amber, forming a tall yellow head with very good retention and a solid sheet of lace. Carbonation is moderate, which I prefer over the sometimes too heavily carbonated triples and quads. Aroma of cola, dates, dark candi sugar, caramel, light molasses, alcohol, cloves and other pleasant phenols. The mouthfeel is syrupy and cloying with a dense body and unfortunately, a heavy amount of sediment (something I find unacceptable in a beer), which gets caught in the back of the throat and teeth. The taste is a recap of the aroma...big and malty with a peppery alcohol bite and a ton of dark fruits and rotting oranges, with no perceptible off-flavors or aromas. The finish is sweet, with a very mild bitterness and a lingering aftertaste of cola, almost like root beer. Alcohol warms the belly. I notice some people state on their reviews that this is an odd duck for a Quad, but my bottle firmly stands in that style. It is relatively one-dimensional, however, compared to other Quads.

Because of the amount of sediment, I have to subtract points for appearance and mouthfeel, but overall, this beer was good and is worth trying out.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2010 22:31:40 | More by Mitchster

FreshHawk

Illinois

3.55/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Deeper tawny, tangerine color with an average sized, foamy, off-white head. Average retention with just a thin layer of lace.

S - Sweet caramel and pale malt along with candi sugar sweetness. Plenty of sweet and tart golden fruit with a touch of a juicy aspect. Apricot, some apple, and touches of tropical fruit.

T - Similar to the nose. Sweet tangerine, orange, apricot, tropical fruit, and hints of sweet, ripe cherry. Sweet caramel and pale malt along with candi sugar. Some Belgian yeast as well. Alcohol is definitely present along with plenty of spice.

M - Medium body with average carbonation (maybe slightly above). Fairly smooth and warming.

D - Not too drinkable. Alcohol is a little hot and the flavors are a little off. Strong spice and a little on the sweet side for it to be too drinkable.

Notes: Strange beer and not really what I was expecting from a Quad. Seemed a bit more like a malty Tripel. Overall I wasn't a big fan, but it wasn't a bad beer. Probably won't get it again, as there are a number of Quads (and Tripels for that matter) I like better for the same price.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2010 06:42:32 | More by FreshHawk

Derranged

New York

4.22/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

330ml bottle poured into an Ommegang challice.

A- A pretty, cloudy amber color.

S- Malt, raisins, prunes, caramel, a touch of banana bread, alcohol.

T- Sweetness, dark fruits dominate, malt, some alcohol. Tastes better as it warms.

M- Thin, light carbonation.

D- The alcohol is pretty well hidden, the taste is good enough to where you would want to drink a lot, but the abv shortens the drinkability a bit.

Very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2010 04:39:10 | More by Derranged

eduardolinhalis

Switzerland

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

330ml bottle poured in a chalice.

Well, I love Quads. Urthel makes it really well...

A: Beautiful cloudy amber color with a huge beige head. Good retention. Many small bubbles around and also many lacings left around
S: Very sweet and fruity. Plums and raisins are very relevant. Caramel malts, toffee and Belgian yeasts. Flowery hops. Negative point: Alcohol can be really felt in the end
T: Great beer! Sweet-bitterness Belgium pleasure. The upfront is bitter and sweet. The end is molasses and bitter. Very fruity: Again plums and raisins are very relevant. Bready (brown bread). Delicious Belgian yeasts and hops
M: Heavy body and medium carbonation. Molasses sensation and delicious hops bitterness
D: Excellent Belgian QUAD! No regret...

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2010 17:56:19 | More by eduardolinhalis

bucklemyshoe

Georgia

3.4/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Notes from 11?01/2010:

330 ml bottle at 45* into a chalice.

A: This pours a dark red color with lots of sediment and a thick, one-finger, creamy head that is quite typical with bottle conditioning. It also has considerable lacing.

S: It has aromas of raisins, dates, vanilla, and a fair amount of alcohol.

T: It tastes like sweet dark fruits and brandy.

M: The body is lighter than expected and it has some alcoholic "hotness" to it.

D: This is a tough style to nail. This is drinkable but it certainly isn't up to trappist quality.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2010 02:29:44 | More by bucklemyshoe

megahurts4

Louisiana

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

Urthel (De Leyerth) Samaranth Quadrium

Appearance: Red, small head, and some good lacing.

Smell: Spices, caramel, and malts.

Taste: Spices, hint of caramel, and dark fruits.

Mouthfeel: Medium-heavy.

Overall:
It is very similar to Belgian Trappist quads, but this one is not very full bodied.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2010 04:25:59 | More by megahurts4

josefnewsong

New York

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

I'm a bigger fan of the urthel tripel but this is definitely a great beer. Huge rum flavors/nose, clear, dark amber color, medium, sticky mouthfeel, light on the head with a good deal of lacing, and very sweet. Raisin flavors really come through as it warms, and alcohol is always present. I'd normally like a bit more complexity in my quads, but this is definitely enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2010 19:02:06 | More by josefnewsong