Urthel Parlus Magnificum (was: Vlaemse Bock)

Stubby 11.2 oz bottle and served in my LaChouffe tulip: Deep mahogany with a huge fluffy off-white head which left outstanding lace upon the glass. The aroma has notes of caramelized malts, dark sugar, earthy and rustic Belgian yeast esters, hint of molasses and pomegranate, and a flowery vapour. The taste starts moderately sugary sweet and a tad fruity with a chalky dry yeast tone. There is a hint of lactic sourness, herbal hop, and allspice about the finish. The mouth feel is softly carbonated and a touch sticky. A solid brew worthy of a try IMO.

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)

Bottle (33 cl), thanks larsniclas. Deep copper, large creamy beige head. Fruity with some toffeeish and roasted notes, along with earthy hops. Medium bodied and smooth. Dry with a long bitter finish.

Deep red brown color with a large tan head. Smells of caramel and dark fruits. Flavor is nutty with a rasty malt character and a decent hop bitternes that balances well.

(33 cl bottle, thanks to larsniclas!) On March 15, 2008. BB 01-2010. Slight shady, reddish copper color, brown head. Sweet, honey scent. Spicy, grainy, chocoalte taste. Phenolic aftertaste. Smooth mouthfeel, medium bitterness.

33cl. bottle: Pours deep dark walnut brown with ruby highlights and a huge, dense, stiff and longlasting yellowed tan head. Aromas of carmellized dark fruits and plain sugar. Alcohol, and malt sit in the back with some chocolate and yeast. Every once in a while I pick up some mellow toasted bananas. There is some green hop note floating around someplace. Flavors go online with the aromas. Sweet dark fruits mixed with an upfront alcohol. You pick up on yeast and malt in the middle with some golden raisins. Towards the end you get a dose of chocolate with a touch of roasted nuts. This blends into hop bitterness, with an herbal edge, and some roast bitterness. Starts out a little sweet but ends dry enough.

Bottle. Pours deep murky brown with thin orangish-beige head. Nose has caramel, toasted grain and dark fruit aroma. Flavor is woody, with some burnt notes, roasted grain, very mild tartness and very minor stale/musty notes in background. Light lingering herbal bitterness in finish. Soft, nearly flat palate, with some touches of hop resin. At first I thought is was strange, but it has a consistency and strong hop/malt flavors that grew on me.

(bottle) Pours amber with a light tan head. Aroma smells of port wine and yeast, really not much else. I really didn’t care for the taste, as there was light grape (similar to concentrated grape juice) toffee, and an odd finish that was predominately yeast. Medium mouthfeel.