Gouden Carolus Classic

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

On the pour, the beer appears to be a somewhat caliginous cherry red color, the head Bunyanesque in size, the texture creamy, with sticky sheets of lace to caress the glass. Nose is fruit sweet, over ripe apples and or banana comes to mind, malt tones and light caramel hints also present a treat for the old honker to sniff. The start is honey sweet, the top lean, the finish is pleasantly acidic, cheerfully hopped, dry and somewhat alcohol bitter aftertaste. Yes, it does “Warm the Tummy”, and should definitely be put in the “Winter Warmer” category. If you like strong high ABV beer this is a must try, but you may find it a bit pricey at $10.49 a 750ml bottle. Personally I don’t mind the price, because “I’m Worth It Baby”! Ranks #279 on my current 1000 beer master list.

Pours from the bottle a viscous murky and muddy reddish-brown color. Creates a thick and tight, but thin beige head which fades quickly to a few isolated wisps of thin foam. Lots of sweet fruity aromas ascend from the snifter with luscious notes of figs, raisins, black cherries, banana, cloves, molasses and caramel malts. Palate was quite full and round with a touch of oiliness. Carbonation seemed a bit tame for a Belgian Ale however. Flavor is very sweet and just shy of being a bit cloying. The alcohol comes through warmingly to cut through the sweetnesss. Delicious flavors of ripe and dark dried fruits, honey, spices, caramel syrup, toffee and slightly toasted malts coat the tongue. Finish is sweet and warming like a port wine. A gentile but classy Belgian Strong.

Huge cotton candy and bubble gum aromas in the aroma -- this stuff smells like the day I spent working a concession stand at a carnival. Muddy, murky, ruddy appearance with tinge of amber and lots of haziness. NIce sugary sweetness with a little acidic souness and plenty more hops than I would anticipate. Nice overall mouthfeel and a pleasant warmth. A very good brew.

Deep Ruby hue with a big foamy head. Sweet malty nose, rich fruit...plums, currants mixed with the scent of leaf litter on the forest floor. Earthy and yeasty with spice undertones. Sweetness dominates, almost a stickiness on the lips, rich and warming. Nice mouthfeel. I'm sure I will enjoy this even more when I try it in a cooler climate, not sitting here sweating in the tropics.

Bottled. Deep brown, chessnut coloured body with a fine, beige head. Sweet, floral aroma, generous and uplifting. Well round flavour on the palate, silky...really silky. Liked it.

750 split three ways. Dark amber in color with a medium to large off white head. Aroma is very fruity, lightly vinous, alot of caramel and light notes of chocolate and alcohol. taste is dark fruit, rich caramel, spices, yeasty and bready. lightly spicy and a touch of alcohol in the finish. Really nice.

Dark amber. Fruity aroma... sweet, fruity, malty flavor. Medium body. Very good Belgian ale.

33 cl bottle at Ris Ras, Århus - shared with Roger. Copper color, nice off-white head. Aroma is very fruity. Flavor is fruity and very sweet, hops and alcohol. Very dry finish. Lovely.