Gouden Carolus Cuvee Van De Keizer Blauw/Blue

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

Poured from the tap. Dark amber in color with minimal head. Aromas of sweetness and yeast. Smooth mouth feel. Flavors of sweet malt, sugar, yeast, fruit. Nice finish. Distinctive brew.

Pours a dark amber with a short, creamy head. Nose is slightly spicy, notes of cinnamon and a faintly cloves. Decent mouth feel, thought not the same velvety smoothness of the bottled version. Good body. Nice clean finish.

2007 bottling. Poured dark brown with golden highlights. Clear, with a tan, foamy, dense head. Aroma was grapes, esters, sweet, alcohol, and a hint of spice. Flavor was sweet, malt, alcohol, spice, fruit, and caramel. Finish was medium dry and complex, with an alcohol undertone. Mouthfeel was nicely carbonated and a little creamy and slick. Re-rate. Bottled, 2000 vintage. The beer really ages well. The nose has more woody notes, maybe some sandalwood spiciness. Flavor is malt, cask wood, dust, raisins, sugar. Great stuff.

February of 2007 batch, 10% abv...beautiful Belgian beer in all aspects. The final hours of 2007 are here and I sip on this sturdy treat which is both powerful and soothing. Grand Cru of the Emperor surely is good enough for my final beer of 2007. In your face aroma of anise and alcohol, very earthy with musty fruit and familiar Belgian yeast. Strong and aggressive, it’s wonderful to sniff on. Plum colored with a diminishing light khaki head and big spotty lacing. This beer has been on the store shelf for almost a year now and it still contains a nice, strong alcohol burn. Absolutely a slow sipper here, this is full bodied and robust. It takes some time to enjoy, but it’s very good to the palate. Dark fruits, heavy spice, and yeast dominate. Plums, red grapes, figs, dark cherries, and black licorice are melded together wonderfully. A heavy dank mustiness and drawn out yeast taste compliment the fermented sweetness. This is thick, and heavy but retains a pleasant liveliness. Great choice for this wonderful time, cheers!

This fine ale with it’s creamy head and plumy, figgy flavors helped cap a fine New Year’s Eve lasagne. Purchased for a steal @ $8.49 from Total Wine in DE. Happt New Year to you.

Pours a dark belgian with a huge creamy head that sticks to the glass throughout. This is a big boy no doubt about it. Smells of fig, dried fruit, molasses and malt. Tastes nicely sweet with sugar, caramel, fig, apricot, and butterscotch. Feels like a delicous dessert with alcohol warming throughout. Medium to thick on the tongue. Nice carbonation finishes this tasty brew. If you want a trappist like beverage this dark beauty is a winner. Could have another but I would be drinking my dinner. A must try.

On tap at Kelleher’s in Peoria and advertised to be the only barrel sent to the US in 2007. 11%. Cloudy, brownish-red with thin head. Apple, spices, and sweet malt aromas and flavours. Sweet malty entry with medium hop bitter finish.

Bottled 2004. Pours a deep red bordering mahogany with tan, airy head. Particles are suspended all throughout the beer and never settle (or move for that matter)! Aromas of sweet candied cherries, vanilla, and a ton more fruit esters. As it warms the nose develops into a more banana, spicy yeast, port barrels, and raisin. Flavor is of cherries , with notes of raisin, port, cardamom, candy sugar, with a peppery banana finish. Great carbonation left over, but much flatter than new. Finish is quite refreshing and dry with a touch of citrus but still has a definite alcohol warmth. Lips and gums are left sticky with vanilla and cherry.