Gouden Carolus Tripel

Brewed by Brouwerij Het Anker
Style: Abbey Tripel
Mechelen, Belgium

750mL bottle (new import labels, so presumably pretty fresh, although already starting to protein-break a little bit). Head is initially huge, frothy, white, fully lasting. Body is hazy medium to dark yellow, bottle conditioned. Aroma is lightly to moderately hoppy (herbs, flowers), lightly to moderately malty (toasted grain), lightly yeasty (cobwebs), with notes of dried pineapple, pepper, lemon zest, coriander, alcohol. Flavor is moderately to heavily sweet, lightly to moderately acidic, lightly bitter. Finish is lightly to moderately sweet, lightly to moderately acidic, moderately bitter. Medium to full body, velvety texture, lively carbonation, moderately alcoholic. A great example, but just a little short of awesome. The nits: seems to be spiced (which I’m not fond of in brews calling themselves tripels), it’s not dry enough, and the alcohol is a bit brash in the finish. Minor points, though, for a solid strong Belgian golden.

Stewed apple with spices and a touch of banana in the flavour. Not as bitter/dry as many other tripels but the difference is what makes this such a good beer.

Big head, banana nose, slightly hazy orangish gold body. More fruit than spice, with some bite in the front of the mouth and a smooth finish. The 9% ABV isn’t very noticeable.

Delicious stuff. Full of flavor and a terrific finish that ends in a wonderful, malty, brown sugar that goes on and on - much like I would enjoy drinking this - on and on. Quite good. Many thanks to the incredible Dougster.

Bottled 0,33L. Much creamy and bulky head, optimal persistence and adhesion. Rather clear yellow/orange color, a lot hazy. Dense and decidedly impenetrable one. Much flowery and alcoholic scent; pleasant notes of wine cellar, dried flower, leaven and mildew. Pungent, wrapping, solid and much alcoholic taste. Rather sweetish and nearly balsamic on the end. Valid but with some excess.

75 cl. bottle pours a light amber fluid with a decent two finger white head. Smells peppery, lemongrass.Medium bodied with a bubbley, lively mouthfeel. Superb lemongrass, black pepper, leather, and woody oak wine barrel taste. Finishes with a slight hop - alcohol tang. Another great Belgium triple.2003

Cloudy yellow gold hue, with a rocky white head, leaving nice laces, yeasty fruity nose of citrus fruits, with pineapple, ripe apples, with a spicy coriander accent, with a grapefruit floral hops and a sweet honeyish pale malt aroma follows through on a medium-bodied palate with a yeasty, sweet candied lemon citrusy character, with flowery hop, releasing some grapefruit flavors, with a mellow honeyish warmth alcoholic mouthfeel, with coriander spiciness, ripe apples and pears fruitiness, and sweet pale malt, leading towards a faint dry hops bitterness, and an alcoholic warmth finih.

Bottled. Pours golden And slightly hazy with a medium sized white head. Good lacing. Nose of spices, caramel and fruit. Sweet spicy flavour with malt, wheat, fruit and spices. Medium bodied. An enjoyable brew.