Gouden Carolus Cuvee Van De Keizer Blauw/Blue

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

colore ambrato profumo intenso caramello luppolo frutta secca liquore in bocca morbida tendente al dolce con finale amarognolo

Bottle. Pours a deep amber/mahogany with ruby edging. Full head with plenty of lacing. Warm, malt aroma with notes of amaretto and anise. Effervescent and medium to full bodied but not heavy or syrupy. Has an almost creamy texture. Toasted malt, alcohol and caramelized sugar dominate the flavor profile. Layers of toffee, dark fruit, cherry, banana, caramel and chocolate follow. Hints of fusel alcohol as it gets warm. On par with the best Belgian ales.

Bottle, jaargang 2006 (10%). Aroma of dark fruit, with a hint of vanilla. Deep reddish, ripe stone fruit color; the white head ringed immediately. Full bodied; mild, near creamy, carbonation. The flavor is non-sticky dark ripe fruits, with a bit of banana. The alcohol is detectable, but it does not interfere. The finish is relatively dry, something like dark cherry skins, and very, very smooth. Sips something like a decent port. Not at all harsh. Perhaps there is some floral hop. Really quite marvelous.

2007 bottling. (11% abv) Dark reddish brown pour. Nice fruity and wood aroma.Very complex taste. Some of the more subtle flavors were overwhelmed, however. It might have been better had I allowed it to age and the harsher flavors had mellowed some. One drawback in my mind was that I felt I could taste the alcohol a little bit more than in other Belgian strong ales I have had. Again, perhaps that would mellow with age. All in all, a good brew that i would recommend.

Name: Gouden Carolus Cuvee Van De Keizer (Blue)
Date: December 31, 2003
Mode: Bottle
Source: Whole Foods Market, DC
Appearance: dark opague brown, thin tan head
Aroma: sweet aroma of ripe figs
Flavor: rich dark malt flavor with lots of ripe fruit character that grows as it warms, a bit of alcohol fumes in the finish

Name: Gouden Carolus Cuvee Van De Keizer (Blue)
Date: September 06, 2008
Mode: draft
Source: brick store
Aroma: sweet dark fruit aroma with a caramel sweetness
Flavor: rich dark fruit flavor, lots of dark caramel sweetness brings out the dark fruits

Name: Gouden Carolus Cuvee Van De Keizer (Blue)
Date: March 07, 2009
Mode: draft
Source: brick store
Score: 3.7 to 4.1
Aroma: sweet dark ripe fruit aroma
Flavor: dark rich and sweet fruity flavor
Overall: the perfect dark belgian with all the sweet dark fruits

Aroma: 8/10; Appearance: 8/10; Flavor: 8/10; Palate: 7/10; Overall: 17/20
Rating: 4.1/5.0
Drinkability: 8/10
Score: ***+/4

Name: Gouden Carolus Cuvee Van De Keizer (Blue)
Date: November 02, 2006
Vintage: 2002
lots of rich ripe fruit aroma with a hint of hot alcohol, a bit thin and fumey,

750 ml bottle from Holiday Wine Cellar: Deep burgandy color held up to a light with a small, fading tannish head. Aroma is sweet red wine with some dark fruit. Flavor starts sweet and fruity with black cherry and plum finishing smooth and lightly dry. Medium body is creamy with moderate carbonation. 11% ABV is well hidden.

re-rated...Brown, warm garnet in the light, tan frothy head with lacing. Lots of honey, dates, figs up front in the aroma which is very sweet, malty, and complex with yeast lending some caramelized banana. Sweet but good aroma. Solid, juicy, quaffable body. Palate perfectly carries the beer. Lots of apples, pears, white plums. Very juicy beer but ends in a splash of liquid bread. Sweet but finishes dry--brilliant and very enjoyable!
Labeled as Grand Cru of the Emperor when I sampled this at the Seattle International Beer festival. It is sublime and delicious and I would like to try this again with more opportunity to savor a longer sample.

Corked and caged 2660 bottle marked 10%ABV. Large tan fizzy head that mostly diminished with a minimal amount of lacing, transparent, fast-rising carbonation, and a ruby hue. Nose was malty, dark fruits and a hint of licorice. Flavor was malty, dark fruits, vinuous, some harshness and dry. Tingly, dry mouthfeel. Medium body. Probably should have let this one age for a while to see if some of the harsh taste would have mellowed somewhat. A good brew nonetheless and one I would like to get again and age it. Worthy of a try IMO.