Urthel Hop-it

Brouwerij De Leyerth
Brewed at De Koningshoeven (Bavaria - Netherlands)
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Ruiselede, Belgium

I was expecting a lot more hops. Clear light orange color with a foamy and lasting white head. Aroma mainly expected Belgian sweet malty/fruity notes with just a hint of hops. Flavor also lacked hops - sweet and bready with only a slight bitter finish. Good and very drinkable but I would’ve liked a bit more hops in something called "Hop-It."

Bottle: Poured a golden color with a thick fast acting creamy off white head. The aroma is fruit filled with spice and hoppy smell. Wow they didn’t lie when they said it was brewed to be hoppy it busted onto my taste buds with fury. Very metallic fruit taste with a tangy finish.

Bottle. I don’t understand how this is categorized a Belgian strong ale. Aromas of light bread for the malt, lemon/lime for the hops and dough and musty for the yeast with apple or unripe pear and nutmeg in the background. Head is between creamy and frothy, white, mostly diminishing and has excellent lacing. Color is a hazy yellow/amber. Flavor starts lightly sweet and moderately acidic then finishes moderately acidic and bitter and a touch acetic. Palate is medium, creamy with a very soft carbonation. Nice balance in the flavor of this beer and very refreshing. A great summertime beer.

I was fearing a big hop bomb, but leave it to the Belgians to use those hops wisely. Yeah, still a bit hoppy, but in a lovely way.

Great appearance and a real easy drinker. Didn’t pick up a ton of hops though like I was hoping for. Some floweriness. The aftertaste reminded me of Orval. That yeasty flavor. 9.5% is hidden great. Packs a pretty good punch too. Would probably drink again.

Date: 11/13/2005
Mode: Bottle
Source: Green’s, Atlanta

hazy dark yellow, huge foamy white head, sweet malty aroma with light floral hops, rich malt flavor, nice sweetness balanced by a spicy hop character, good bitter hop finish, nice drinkable beer, hoppy for a Belgian, not quite typical pilsner either, disappointing for a Urthel, but good otherwise

Aroma: 4/10; Appearance: 4/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 12/20
Rating: 2.8/5.0
Drinkability: 8/10
Score: *4

Bottle, from Jimbowood, I think. I struggled getting this cork off, until it flew off like a champagne bottle, then it started pouring out the bottle. I put my thumb over the top to try and stop the flow, but this just made it shoot straight up and hit my kitchen roof. Suuper bubbly. Although I think this is intended, because the flavor was fresh and tasty. This beer reminds me alot of La Chouffe, with the large fluffy head that looks like some kind of freaky lab experiment. The flavor is both rich, smooth and hoppy, but totally satisfying. Very good in all regards. I have been seeing this on many shelves here in S.D. lately, so im glad I have regular access to it, because I most certainly will be buying it in the near future.

Bottle, 750 ml. Hooooooooooppy... Floral and fruity either. Golden coloration, with a nice white head, dense and persistent. Very nice aroma. Dry and bitter palate. Great beer!