Urthel Parlus Magnificum (was: Vlaemse Bock)

Brouwerij De Leyerth
Brewed at De Koningshoeven (Bavaria - Netherlands)
Style: Abbey Dubbel
Ruiselede, Belgium

330ml bottle as Vlaemse Bock. Enticing aroma, full of richly toffeeish malts, plum, black cherry, buttery dark chocolate and licorice, along with lighter notes of flowers, doughy yeast, red wine, even traces of bubblegum. Deep brown in color with a lasting, ivory head, thick lace draping the glass unevenly. Flavor is similarly malty, sweet and satisfying, dark, sugary and roasted, blended with dark and dried fruits and lightly nutty finish featuring hints of tobacco, tangy red grape, oak and peppery spices. Soft, smooth, creamy mouthfeel, body is medium-full, some light warmth noted late. This is some good stuff right here, much more than just another Bock interpretation.

From the cork and caged 750ml bottle, the beer presents a lightly hazed red to almost brown color, the head stacks up to about two fingers, a creamy ripe peach color, the lace forms a velum like sheet to obscure the glass. Nose has a malt sweetness, backed my molasses and a touch of grassy hops, quite crisp. Start is sweet with malt, fruity and a nice spiciness at the back, moderate if feel to the palate. Finish has a robust acidity, the hops beefy in their bite, aftertaste is dusty, long lasting, a beer brewed for us stateside folks, and quite good this beer, but all this breweries beers rank high on my master list.

bottle poured dark brown large light brown head aromas of bread and raisins.Creamy mouthfeel >flavors of roasted malts nice light hoppy bitterness

The first two Urthel beers to make the long journey to Colorado were both of a lighter complexion. Characterized by fruity and even tropical flavors, the Samaranth and the Hibernum Quentum are easier fare, given to breezy drinking and carefree sampling. They’re brusque relative, the Urthel Bock, is a different breed. Clothed in fiery raiment, the traditional Urthel gnome adorning the Bock promises plenty of roasted and smoky flavors in this, the third Urthel to make its way from Belgium to your local liquor store. Does it equal its predecessors depth and complexity? Matching the Samaranth’s masterful drinking experience is indeed a Herculuean challenge. But if the Samaranth is an apogee of craft brewing the Bock is but a step beneath it. The subterranean concoction under the mottled, wood shaving tan head is an ornately flavored beverage well suited to the unfettered palate. The vapors that rise from the pomegranate red pool of beer are a feast all their own. It starts soft, entreating the nostrils with a delicate dab of strawberry, sweet cream and pomegranate juice before heartening on a mesquite note. All bets are off with the flavor. More assertive notes of tobacco and wood join the fray, with a delicate puff of peach to lighten the medley up with a soft sweetness only the Japanese really appreciate in their drinks. The palate is as soft as a goose down, and all at once I’m agog. This beer, by all standards and appearances, practically fumed with burnt, smoky flavors. When I regain my poise I coldly calculate that, no, this is not a smokehouse brew, but something transcendant of churlish tongues. The aftertase cracks with a small whip of licorice, and a cheesecake flavor glides into the beer as it warms, but nowhere are the brimstone aromas and flavors I had seen portended on the label to be found. The Urthel Bock is above such commonalities, prefering to reside high above rational categorization in a sequestered space all its own. This, unsurprisingly, is enough evidence to convince me that the Urthel Bock was created with the same caring hands and brilliant mind which fancied and fashioned the lovely Samaranth. It is also ample proof that De Koningshoeven is consistent in quality and toothsome flavors.

pretty dark color with fully creamy head. Pretty sweet, spicy, coffee, matly. Nice finish.....

WBF. Brown pour with a creamy tan head. The aroma is musty, sour, belgian for sure. not too complex. Flavor is the same. Not too complex dubbel.

BB 03-08. Pours a very dark garnet color with a beige, full, creamy, slightly rocky head which is mostly lasting and leaved plenty of tight lacing. Nose is filled with dried fruits of raisin and dried apricots, with also dark candi sugar, date, and underlying spicy, nutty notes and a faint tea leaf note. Flavor is interesting with dark caramels, Belgian chocolate, date, raisins, underlying spice notes, and some light coffee bringing some bitterness towards the finish. Palate is medium-full, soft to lively, and round, somewhat chewy in texture. Finishes quite long, somewhat sweet, with some decent bitterness, chocolate, and date. Actually a little warming and at only 7.5%, but the warming quality is nice, I’m just surprised it had so much warming at this ABV. One of the better, more unique dubbels out there. I’m kind of surprised Urthel doesn’t get more credit, I’ve had nothing but good or great beers from this brewery. Nevertheless, this was a good offering.

Bottle. Sweet nose, some acidity. Light chocolate notes with a touch of grape and cherry. Deep ruby-brown with very thin brown head. Flavor is sweet, lots of chocolate and some oak. Well balanced. Sharp palate smooths out leaving some sweetness in the finish.