Gouden Carolus Classic

Brewed by Brouwerij Het Anker
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Mechelen, Belgium

Looks nice in the glass, an orange-brown color, wit a medium pitted, wispy head. Curious aroma, hints at caramel, bread dough, nuts, plums, coconut, nutmeg and/or thyme. Big fluffy sweetness up front, coupled with a palate-stinger from the alcohol and moderate high effervescence. Finish is very smooth and light, but with some alcohol...as Belgians go, it doesn’t mask the alcohol as well as the best, but it’s still a pleasing finish. Warming in the chest. Really feels like a cold weather beer, not terribly appropriate on this warm spring night, not that I’m enjoying it any less. Very even tempered, without being overly complex, but still possesses alot of the rich qualities you want in a strong Belgian. Perhaps approaches some of the famous strong trappistes, but definitely rougher. Made a nice match with strong roquefort cheese.

thick head, dark color, parts of a good wine, lots of fruit, some spices, some complex other parts, fully natural. ..a very nice one

pours dark brown with a large creamy light tan head, aroma of belgian style spices, citrusy fruit, caramel sweet malts, and some dark fruitts. flavor is smooth for 8.5%, citrusy, caramel malts stick out with there sweetness, good body, good brew.

Dark bown ale with a thick off white head. Wonderful aroma of coriander, orange peels, and caramel. In mouth, rich and warm malt, candi sugar, coriander, curacao, licorice, and plums. Nice alcohol warmth develops. Rich bodied, with a lightly oily moutfeel. Bottle at l’Autre Oeil, March, 3 2006.

33cl - thanks to secret santa cousin Rich - Aroma is nutty, toffee, carmel, and malt. Pours deep brown with a small head and great lacing. Flavor matches aroma. Palate is sticky and chewy. Strong and flavorful.

330 ml bottle, at de Klomp, Nice, France. Deep ruby colour, large head. Malty sweet aroma, notes of caramel. Malty sweet flavour, notes of molasses and sweet wine.

Dark brown color, with a tan-colored head, with a spicy nose of orange peels, dates ,figs fruitiness, chocolate malt, roasted malt, and an alcoholic hint in the aroma follows through on a medium-bodied palate, with a sweet roasted malt, burnt brown sugar, bitter chocolatey note, candied orange peels, dark dried fruits, toffeish accent, with a subtle coffee touch, and an alcoholic strenght well hidden behind his sweet malty character, leading towards a sweet dark fruits fruitiness and a shy bitter hops finish.

750ml bottle. Pours a dark amber with a thick frothy head. The aroma is very sweet and spicy. The taste is sweet, with a touch of alcohol, but a nice finish that lingers just enough. Excellent beer.