 kepano (239), Meudon, France
Mar 21, 2008
Meticulous as always, Urthel’s faux-bock is adorned of an indefatigable thick beige sponge. Murky and mystifying, the body reflects a dark crimson color. Sweet malty sensations of caramel and toffee meld with fruity notes of pomegranate, grapes, artificial strawberry and nectarine skin. Black pepper, white bread and old bubble gum are also apparent on the nose. Urthel’s brewing talent isn’t revealed by these individual scents but rather their synergy, an elegant balance, a transcending je ne sais quoi. Toasty malts appear to the taste, buttery but dark. The definite sweetness is well distributed, displaying shades of bourbon, coffee bean and vanilla. The exceptional mouthfeel is what again brings an ineffable quality to this brew. Fluffy like whipped cream, the texture accepts these subtle flavors and transmits a sensational result. Urthel has always seemed grossly underrated and this brew cements my opinion. My only hope is that their translation to the Koningshoeven facilities has left the product unharmed. (04/04/07)
curly (412), Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Jun 25, 2009 Dark amber pour with a thin tan head. Earthy and funky yeast aroma. Taste is funky caramel with some fruitiness. Not too bad.
ChristianScheffel (3013), Odense, Denmark
Jun 10, 2009 Brown with a lasting off-white head. Malty aroma with caramel, fruit and phenols. Sweet malty, caramel flavour with a drying finish. Nothing special.
kwik-lime (177), London, England
Jun 9, 2009 Poured chocolatey brown with a good size, beige-coloured head. Sweet malty flavour but slightly more watery than I’d expect from a dubbel. Decent but unspectacular.
Dedollewaitor (2961), Odense, Denmark
Jun 8, 2009 33cl bottle @ Biertempel, Brussels. Pours dark unclear brown with a small white head and lacings. Nose is sweet of dark fruits, alcohol and caramel. Smooth palate. A quite vinous and pleasant drink with a bit warmth from alcohol.
topherh (675), Kearney, Missouri, USA
Jun 6, 2009 Pours brown with a two fingered beige head. Aroma of malt and dark fruits. Flavor is smokey, sweet malt, with a bitter finish
Butters (1278), Not-so-Temporarily in Nashville, Tennessee, USA
May 26, 2009 Sampled at the Alexi TN distributor’s tasting; thanks Jim Bird! Clear reddish pour. Sweet earthy, peaty, malt nose. Tart flemish sour flavor was not all that great. Unusual. Is this supposed to be sour? Didn’t really care for it.
Jukkabro (2782), Tampere, Finland
May 20, 2009 Dark ruby red colored with medium sized light brown head. Rich raisinny sweet aroma with licorice and some grains. Medium bodied, crispy palate. Flavor is also nice with more roasted tone, sweet licorice still here with some bready tone. Aftertaste turns to vinous with licorice, mild alcohol and nice yeast. Excellent dubbel.
thornecb (1574), Marblehead, Massachusetts, USA
May 14, 2009 Vlaemse Bock. Pours amber into a stem glass. Off-white head with excellent retention recedes to coat surface. Dark pit fruit aromas. Dusty malts and rum-soaked raisins and prunes. Lasting sour and sour prune finish.
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