Gouden Carolus Classic

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

Bottle. Head is initially large, frothy, light brown, mostly lasting. Body is hazy dark orange-brown, bottle conditioned. Aroma is moderately to heavily malty (caramel, molasses, toasted bread, roasted grain/nuts), lightly yeasty (cobwebs), with notes of plum, raisin, Bit-O-Honey candy, brown sugar, orange zest. Flavor is moderately to heavily sweet, lightly acidic, lightly bitter. Finish is lightly to moderately sweet, lightly acidic, lightly to moderately bitter. Medium to full body, velvety/watery texture, lively carbonation, lightly to moderately alcoholic. Solid and reliable, but never quite jaw-dropping. A bit too sweet, but overall quite enjoyable.

deep garnet color with a tint of brown. head is dark beige and lasts. aroma is a little cherry and a lot musty with slight alcohol! quite a fruity flavor as well with a finish that is slightly metallic and chocolatey.

Bottle conditioned. Deep copper bronze, moderate thin white head and good condition. Sweet aromas of chocolate, malt and caramel with some oakiness noticable. Good barley wine notes in the mouth with toffee, caramel, silky chocolate and a slight fruitiness. Carbonation is a little over assertive. Finish is quite short and malty sweet.

Sample most likely aged for a few years in the store: Pours a full copper brown with a thin tan head. Aroma of bready Belgian yeast, sweet caramel malt, and some oxidized complexity. Body starts light and candi sugar sweet with nice balance and complexity, slowing fading into a slightly more dull, earthy dry, bitter finish. Hides the alcohol very well though, and is quite drinkable. A nice Belgian strong.

Bottle. Clear deep brown color with thin beige head. Anis, grapefruits, alcohol and caramel aroma. Taste of caramel, toffee, alcohol, corn syrup and good palate. Bière de couleur brune clair mais opaque et un mince collet beige. Odeur d’anis, pamplemousse, alcool et caramel. Goût de caramel, toffee, alcool et sirop de maiis. Elle est longue en bouche mais elle tombe un peu sur le coeur.

(Bottle 33 cl) Deep reddish brown colour, light brown head. Very refinened malty charamel flavours well balanced with the hops. Extremely high gravity and hence a very full body. A very refined Belgian Ale with lots of sweetness, but never cloying. When I first had this in 1993 it was just called "Gouden Carolus" at 7% ABV and came in a bottle with no label. In 1997 it was changed to "Gouden Carolus - Carolus D’Or" at 7,5% ABV and now it’s called "Gouden Carolus Classic" at 8,5% ABV. So it has changed quite a bit but is still a truly Belgian classic. 240793

Dark brown with a huge, lasting head. The aroma has sweetness, malt plum and figs. The flavour is sweet, but not cloying. It has notes of brown sugar, raisin, plum and citrus just before the finish and after a brief pause it returns in the dry finish. A beer to enjoy.

Aroma of chocolate cake, toffee and liqurice. Hazy red/brown colour with a thick head. Very sweet and fulfilling taste, long finish which is both sweet and bitter. Excellent!