Urthel Samaranth
Quadrium
Review Date 2/5/2005
Try?
Re-buy?
Well, that’s
what the label says. “Belgium’s newest cult classic”. And that little guy on
the label, holding a foaming mug of Urthel brew. He doesn’t look like a
fibber, does he? So, it must be true. And after you’ve had a few of these,
you just might believe anything he (or anybody else for that matter) has to
say. This is pretty potent stuff, after all.
If you’re not familiar with Belgian beers, let me give you a little background. Urthel Samaranth is a style commonly known as a Quad. These are less common than the major abbey styles of dubbel, which is usually a dark beer with rich malty flavors and an alcohol content of about 7.5% to 8% or so by volume.
Then comes the tripel. It’s stronger as you might expect, usually running around 9% alcohol by volume. These beers usually have a pale yellow golden color, a nice fruit character and lots of yeasty notes. Both dubbels and triples are often spiced.
Then comes the quad. It’s stronger still, usually more than 10% alcohol by volume. Quads are sipping brews to be sure. They’re not something you would quaff in large quantities while relaxing on the sofa and taking in the game.
When I saw Urthel’s Quad, I was intrigued enough to pick up a bottle. The brewery makes several styles, and I saw a tripel, too. The label is savvy marketing, with the little gnome and Belgian colors on a distinctly shaped bottle.
Urthel Samaranth Quadrium Ale pours from the bottle to a russet
golden color somewhere in between what you’d expect from a dubbel and a
tripel. I used a wide-mouthed Belgian glass to fully appreciate the aromas
of the beer. Curiously, the label admonishes you to serve chilled, but I
allowed mine to warm slightly before drinking.
A towering head of foam forms upon a gentle pour, and lots of Brussels lace chases the brew all the way down the glass. The nose is quite heady, full of Belgian yeast notes.
The palate is rather crisp and sweet with a decided cotton-candy character and notes of pineapple and spices. The brew is warming, as well it should be at 11.5% alcohol by volume. There are notes of licorice, too, and musty yeast notes that permeate and run right into the finish.
The finish has plenty of rich alcohol warmth and a gentle hop bitterness. It’s almost like a liqueur, though not quite that strong. Still, this is a gentle sipping beer best enjoyed after a meal or just before bedtime.
After enjoying a bottle, I can see why they call this a cult classic. It might just become one among beer geeks here in America, too.
If you’re not familiar with Belgian beers, let me give you a little background. Urthel Samaranth is a style commonly known as a Quad. These are less common than the major abbey styles of dubbel, which is usually a dark beer with rich malty flavors and an alcohol content of about 7.5% to 8% or so by volume.
Then comes the tripel. It’s stronger as you might expect, usually running around 9% alcohol by volume. These beers usually have a pale yellow golden color, a nice fruit character and lots of yeasty notes. Both dubbels and triples are often spiced.
Then comes the quad. It’s stronger still, usually more than 10% alcohol by volume. Quads are sipping brews to be sure. They’re not something you would quaff in large quantities while relaxing on the sofa and taking in the game.
When I saw Urthel’s Quad, I was intrigued enough to pick up a bottle. The brewery makes several styles, and I saw a tripel, too. The label is savvy marketing, with the little gnome and Belgian colors on a distinctly shaped bottle.
Urthel Samaranth Quadrium Ale pours from the bottle to a russet
golden color somewhere in between what you’d expect from a dubbel and a
tripel. I used a wide-mouthed Belgian glass to fully appreciate the aromas
of the beer. Curiously, the label admonishes you to serve chilled, but I
allowed mine to warm slightly before drinking. A towering head of foam forms upon a gentle pour, and lots of Brussels lace chases the brew all the way down the glass. The nose is quite heady, full of Belgian yeast notes.
The palate is rather crisp and sweet with a decided cotton-candy character and notes of pineapple and spices. The brew is warming, as well it should be at 11.5% alcohol by volume. There are notes of licorice, too, and musty yeast notes that permeate and run right into the finish.
The finish has plenty of rich alcohol warmth and a gentle hop bitterness. It’s almost like a liqueur, though not quite that strong. Still, this is a gentle sipping beer best enjoyed after a meal or just before bedtime.
After enjoying a bottle, I can see why they call this a cult classic. It might just become one among beer geeks here in America, too.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
