Gouden Carolus Classic - Brouwerij Het Anker

CaptCleveland

Ohio

3.41/5  rDev -17%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

330cl bottle purchase for 2.42 Euro at G20 Supermarches in Paris (their "supermarket").
Best by date 1/17/16.
Sticker on the bottle boasts the "Worlds Best Dark" award at the World Beer Awards.

Clear, dark amber elixir poured into snifter. Thick, off-white head, settles to thin rim with plenty of lacing.

Huge biscuit malt predominates, caramel, subtle spice.

Malt bomb, some caramel, sugar, alcohol. Dark fruit at the end--prunes.

Medium body, highly carbonated.

Hits the mark for its style, but within that category is above average.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 17:19:17 | More by CaptCleveland

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.61/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from bottle into a chalice glass

Appearance – The beer pours a dark brown color with a one finger cream colored head that fades relatively quickly. Upon fading, over about a one minute time period, a lighter level of lace is left on the sides of the glass.

Smell – The aroma is a mix of a lightly roasted and bready malt as well as aromas of sweet sugary and darker fruit smell. The heaviest of the malt is a roasted barley malt but there are notes of chocolate and coffee mixed within as well. The sugary smells are mainly of a caramel nature and are mixed with fruit aromas of a raisin, prune and fig. Rounding out all these are aromas of some alcohol as well as some spicy smells and a bit of an earthy hop smell.

Taste – The taste begins sweet with flavors of a caramel and a whole lot of dark fruits. The dark fruits are mainly of a prune flavor but have some hints of a raisin and fig flavors mixed within. There are flavors of a roasted malt breadines upfront as well, which ends up fading ever so slightly as the flavor advances. As the breadines fades, a coffee and chocolate taste begin taking its place. While the flavor advances further, so too comes some of the spice flavors that were detected in the nose (nutmeg and cinnamon). A rather decent potent rum flavor as well as a bit of a woody and earthy flavor then come to the tongue more at the end where it melds well with the prune and darker chocolate and coffee flavors to leave an odd warming flavor to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel- The beer is on the medium side in terms of its thickness and creaminess with a carbonation level that is on the average side. A little lighter of a body may actually have suited the odd mix of fruity flavor and darker flavors better due to the complementation of the fruit and drinkability and lessening of the chocolate and coffee flavors.

Overall – The chocolate and coffee flavors were a little odd in this brew and took away from the nice blend of fruit, malt and rum tastes. Not bad, but not the best Belgian strong dark out there

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 00:58:34 | More by Darkmagus82

mick303

Ontario (Canada)

4.19/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Pours a dark brown, nearly opaque. With some light it shows off some ruby colour. With a creamy head of tan foam, really good lacing. 4

S- brimming with rich malty notes, coffee, syrupy dry caramel. Bitterness is quite light, some herbal and woody notes. Some earthy spice notes coming through, some rummy alcohol spice. Very nice and balanced. 4.25

T- creamy roast malt, a pleasant light alcohol prickle but it is very well hidden, slight tobacco, some dark cocoa, caramel sweetness on finish. Raisin, dried cherries, a bit of wood, light clove pepper and spice, some molasses sugars. A bit of a dry finish, clean barley note. Balance is very well executed. 4.25

M- remarkably smooth, this has a satisfying malty body. Definitely some warming alcohol. A little soft carbonation to liven it up, it is no doubt a big rich beer but has a nice clean finish. 4.25

This is very easy to drink. A satisfying malt-forward dark ale. Offers a really smooth flavour profile with dry dark fruits and some interesting malty esters with quite a low bitterness. It is quite well executed. Probably not my favourite but still a very nice and interesting beer that is worth checking out.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 22:02:18 | More by mick303

newton99

Belgium

4.14/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer is a dark chestnut brown, decent-sized beige head. OK retention, decent lacing.

Smell is quite big. Contains raisin, date, chocolate, nuts, yeast and a bit of alcohol. Quite malty, with some caramel notes.

Taste is like the smell, but sweeter than expected. Raisin, fig, chocolate, caramel and bread. Brown sugar. More alcohol than expected for 8.5%. A good but fairly standard BSDA.

Full bodied, moderate to high carbonation. A bit bready, some alcohol heat.

Overall, quite tasty. Not a world class BSDA but a very nice one.

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 09:52:21 | More by newton99

Maakun

Afghanistan

4.04/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Colour is very nice dark brown with reddish glow, beige head, medium lacing.

Smell: banana, unripe apples, malts, something slightly burned, liquorice,

Taste: Over-ripe banana, followed by burned toast. Then some fruits (peaches, apple, pear) with a slight tartness. Sweet malt. After it's been in the glass a little while it becomes more balanced and fruity. I get more and more sweet fruit, like peaches, with a slight bitterness. Aftertaste in slightly bitter, more like burned toast.

Mouth: thins and pleasant, light carbonation. Fits the style quite well.

Overall this is quite good, but not totally my style. The burned notes and heavy peach get to be a bit too much for me. Good balance though, and very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 19:14:08 | More by Maakun

Douberd

Netherlands

4.58/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

330 ml bottle, poured into a tulip glass at home. abv 8.5%
Very impressive appearance! Deep brown colour, with a beige head, three fingers tall, thick and with excellent retention. Heavy lacing around the glass. Red grapes on the aroma, sugars, plums, just a bit of alcohol on the back and another bit of vanilla.
Sweet taste, this one tastes like a good, sweet, red wine. Again vanilla, sugars, dark fruits, a bite of alcohol mostly on the finish. Very complex.
Perfect mouthfeel, if not for the style, surely for my taste. Full, thick body, oily but at the same time somewhat sticky on the palate, and the perfect amount of carbonation.
What an amazing beer. I was so surprised by its appearance and once I took a sniff and then a sip, this beer got me. Also, extra points for being so widely available, without having to chase it around. I'll make sure to grab a couple just for cellaring.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 18:45:40 | More by Douberd

puboflyons

New Hampshire

4.55/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From the 750 ml corked, caged bottle stamped 05/08/13-1070. Sampled on January 28, 2013. There is no bottling date but by the store's price tag it looks like it was shelved in early 2012 so it could be the 2011 batch.

It pours a dark mahogany brown to deep amber with a modest off-white head that lingers for a short while and goes away.

The aroma is full of all the things that make Belgian Strong Ales unique with plenty of Belgian sugars,. dark malts, yeast, plum, and maybe a whiff of hops.

The body is full.

The taste starts out with sweet malts and sugar followed by a peppery finish that lingers for a short moment. Alcohol is well-integrated into the beer. I enjoyed this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 22:25:10 | More by puboflyons

KingSlayer

Mexico

4.11/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 fl oz bottle
poured a dark brown translucent liquid, 1 finger white head, persistent top ring, nice lacing, visible carbonation
nose of esters and spices, palate nicely balanced, not as sweet like others in the same style, very dark fruity bit spicy, alcohol well hiddn, medium kind of syrupy body, nice carbonation.
alcohol is masked but packs a punch, nice rounded fruity flavor, i liked it because it wasnt overly sweet.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 00:05:02 | More by KingSlayer

catadoraccidental

4.06/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

APPEARANCE: A light cream colored foam that disappears almost completely and very quickly. It can be served at one time without fear of overflow. Leaves no traces on the top of the vessel. Nice dark amber color. AROMA: Very soft, very subtle, but remember that you know nothing. Pleasant. At some point there comes a slight odor of alcohol and roasting, especially as it warms. TASTE: Slightly creamy. Mild and pleasant. Nothing to do with the Rochefort 8. Hugely better. Among drinks, the taste, the presence of the beer is in the middle of the tongue and palate, unlike what happened with the Rochefort 8, in which this occurred at the rear and almost in the throat . It is another detail for this beer. Taste nothing conflicting. Anyone can enjoy it. It receives a very balanced sweetness. Hot, more noticeable citrus persistent itching. As you approach the last drink, improvement, and much. Overall rating: Great. Provides a great time. I reconciled with the BSDA after the bad experience with the Rochefort 8. Repeat. € 2.20

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 16:07:09 | More by catadoraccidental

PHSCAPT

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

A – Poured from a caged and corked bomber at 55F into a Chimay goblet. Pours clear but not clarified deep brown with orange aurora borealis when held to light, with a 1 finger creamy off white head. Nice lacing.
S – perhaps not appetizing but the smell reminds me of silage. If you know what that is without googling, you know exactly the smell.
T – dark dried fruits initially followed by carmel tones and finishing with an ever so slight medicinal taste
M – remarkably smooth, contributes to a 4 on the burp scale with 10 being a cavernous belch.
O – Rebuy. This was my first Belgian a while back and it literally changed the way I felt about beer. I actually liked the way this tasted without having to “develop a taste” for it. Plus the fact that it’s about double the alcohol of your standard American horse kidney product is just better. There so much more complexity here than in most of our mass produced stuff and no hint of bitterness for which one supposedly needs to "develop a taste."

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 04:41:32 | More by PHSCAPT

keithmurray

Louisiana

4.13/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance - dark mahogany//ruby red color with khaki head

Smell - this hit me as soon as I popped the cork, cocoa, spice from that Belgian yeast, cola, plums, raisins

Taste - raisins, plums, cocoa, brown sugar, grapes

Mouthfeel - medium bodied, medium, lively carbonation, sweet upfront, but not cloying, smooth going down, booze is almost undetectable

Overall - Good example of a Belgian Strong Dark Ale

Price Point - $8.39/750ML bottle

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 22:17:45 | More by keithmurray

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.18/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The beer is chestnut brown with an inch of beige head that coats the glass with sticky lacing. The aroma offers brown bread, yeast, light sweetness. Delicious flavor. Incredibly smooth on the palate with alcohol masterfully hidden. Subtle notes of banana and fruity sweetness lingers in the aftertaste. Overall, a terrific brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 22:44:03 | More by Huhzubendah

BeerCon5

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark amber color with about one finger of fluffy off-white head with good retention.

The scent is of sweet toasted malt, sweet candied sugars, notes of herbal hops.

The taste is sweet sugar, toasted malts, light herbal hop presence, some notes of molasses.

Medium body, crisp and smooth, moderate carbonation.

This was a really tasty beer with lots of flavor, very easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 20:00:02 | More by BeerCon5

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A small bottle into a Belgian Independence Day 2012 glass.

Gouden Carolus Classic h a nice dark shade. The color is a shoe polish brown shade with some faint black sections here and there. A nice Belgian Esque head up top with tight dark tan bubbles that have some stick to the glass. Good retention, it lasts to the bottom of the glass. Classic has a nice nose, it is filled with deep rich malt scents, caramel, chocolate, deep dark fruit, plum, fig, raisin. This is billed as a Belgian Brown Ale, and the fruit in the nose signifies that. Some roast with warming, but no alcohol comes out. A great nose! Taste is just as superb. The dark fruit comes out even more, some plum, grape, cdied apple. A nice bready middle showing off the Belgian yeast. Not a hoppy beer, a malty fruit basket bomb beer. Feel is medium with a nice lively carb in the mouth. Refreshing beer here, A Belgian brown with class.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 05:20:14 | More by onix1agr

Philousa

California

3.98/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This looks black, but against the light I get some leather and dark ruby on the edges. The head is nearly white and billowy, what little there is. A swirl conjures up a dense pillow of foam that is inviting. I get lots of caramel and candied sugar in the nose. Smells airy and creamy. Also a little bit of vanilla and oak, with some biscuit and oatmeal. Lots of juicy fruit up front on the palate: strawberry, cranberry. It fades quickly to thick, rich caramel, sweet candied sugar, some leather, and a bit of that coppery metallic flavor. The mouth feel is silky and slightly watery. Finish is balanced, but tending towards dry. The candied sugar in this does not linger in the throat and annoy like many other Belgians. This is a luxurious drink that is complex and rewards the patient.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 05:30:27 | More by Philousa

mikeg67

New Jersey

4.53/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle. Pours brown with a long lasting off-white head and nice lacing. Aroma is of yeast, brown sugar, dark fruit, caramel, spicy hops and alcohol. Body is full and smooth. Plums, raisins, brown sugar, bready malt, spicy hops and alcohol fill the mouth. Finish is long, semi-dry. Wonderful brew.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 17:39:07 | More by mikeg67

Serge

Alberta (Canada)

4.8/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours the colour of dark milk chocolate with a disappearing lacing of white head. Smells of thick caramel syrup, brown sugar and Belgian yeast. The mouthfeel is remarkable; thick, velvety and sweet. Tastes of peppery carbonation at the front of the palate, deliciously sweet caramel in the middle and the trademark banana/clove flavour from the Belgian yeast right at the back of the palate.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2012 04:49:53 | More by Serge

UCLABrewN84

California

3.5/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle pour for the 4th Annual LA Beer Week Beer Festival at Union Station in Los Angeles, CA.

Pours a murky dark orange-brown with a foamy khaki head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, yeast, and spices. Taste is much the same with an alcohol kick on the finish. There is a mild spice bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer that is drinkable but basic.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 04:19:59 | More by UCLABrewN84

Jamesthebrit

Michigan

3.95/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Reddish brown thick with a good amount of bubbles.

S: It's like... very herbaceous. Earthy and spicy... Maybe some maple. Interesting.

T: Very odd. It has a weird like... tumeric flavor almost. Maybe some thyme. That maple comes through a little bit. A little sweet and sour action as well. It's pretty interesting but the alcohol comes through a bit much.

M: A little overly bubbly a little musty but sits decent.

Overall a very unique beer. It has a lot of different aspects and I seem to notice something new with every sip. My problem is it's a little too complicated almost and the taste, although unique, isn't overly pleasing to me. I appreciate it but I probably wouldn't rush to have another.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 00:23:03 | More by Jamesthebrit

mscudder

Georgia

4.65/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had this beer well over a year ago and loved it. Having it again with a more primed palette. Poured into a snifter.

A - A beautiful deep opaque black body with a royal ivory head. Solid.

S - Vivid nose on this one. Caramel apples, cherries, fresh spices, chocolate and some smooth malts. Fantastic complexity with refined balance.

T - What a rich, sweet beer at this level of ABV. Starts with some aggressiveness rich flavor; namely cherries, caramelized sugar and a touch of licorice. Follows with some complexity and a creamy nature which matches the slowing sweetness with perfection. Concludes with just a touch of warmth (I would never blindly guess an ABV above 7%) and a bit of dryness. Truly excellent.

M - A large medium body with average carbonation that compliments the style well.

O - I really love this beer. The sweetness is crisp and delicious while retaining a degree of drinkability. The heavy malt sweetness is a pleasure for a closing drink. Not quite sure I would have this aside from a desert occasion (similar to La Fin Du Monde) but I really enjoy it!

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 06:04:46 | More by mscudder

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Beer is a dark chestnut brown, decent-sized beige head. OK retention, decent lacing.

Smell is quite big. Contains raisin, date, chocolate, nuts, yeast and a bit of alcohol. Quite malty, with some caramel notes.

Taste is like the smell, but sweeter than expected. Raisin, fig, chocolate, caramel and bread. Brown sugar. More alcohol than expected for 8.5%. A good but fairly standard BSDA.

Full bodied, moderate to high carbonation. A bit bready, some alcohol heat.

Overall, quite tasty. Not a world class BSDA but a very nice one.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2012 01:07:53 | More by jrenihan

hardy008

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours dark brown with a 3 finger foamy tan head with good retention and lacing. The aroma has green apples, figs, dates, raisins, and black licorice.

The taste is sweet, with green apples, figs, dates, raisins, black licorice, cherries, brown sugar, and a little pepper at the end. As sweet as this beer is, it is not overly sweet.

Full bodied with modest carbonation, and the alcohol is well hidden. A bottle like this could be put in a cellar for a long time, and would age beautifully. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 02:17:04 | More by hardy008

Arno

4.44/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

appearance: Amber / light brown transparent colored. Creme foam top.

smell: First i get is brown sugar. It's very sugary. I get some herbal hints, can't really put my finger around it. Caramel/toffee with some sweet malts.

taste: I get brown sugar, caramel, figs, prune, raisins, apple and a bit of a nutty / yeasty / herbal aftertaste. It lingers nicely.

mouthfeel: Nicely rounded. Fluid with just a slighty dry finish. Medium carbonation.

overall: I must say, my first one didn't really do it for me. So it probably depends on my mood. The second one was very enjoyable. It's a very easy and sweet beer. You don't get much of the alcohol due the sweetness. I like the yeasty, dark fruit and brown sugar and nutty aroma combo. If i had to criticize it, it would probably be that it's maybe too sweet. Which is nice if you crave for sweetness, but therefor lacks a bit of a kick and surprise as a whole. But if you're in the mood for something like this, it's really great.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2012 23:10:29 | More by Arno

eduardolinhalis

Switzerland

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

330ml bottle poured in its own glass.

A: Pours a dark amber nutty clear color. Forms a small yellow head. Not many lacings left

S: Smell is very sweet like a Belgian beer should be. Candy sugar, sweet grains. Very fruity easters, dark fruits mainly. Alcohol

T: Follows the nose, a sweet Belgian style beer. Sweet candy upfront, sweet malts. Very bready. Mild earthy bitterness

M: Heavy creamy molasses body. Medium to low carbonation. Sweet candy upfront and mild earthy bitter aftertaste

O: Very drinkable. A little bit overwhelming alcohol in the nose but still a great beer

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2012 18:08:47 | More by eduardolinhalis

GONZALOYANNA

Spain

4.58/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

330ml bottle. Snifter glass. Enjoyed on jun´12. Pours dark Brown in color with light beige, creamy, lasting crown. Hints of nutmeg liquor, toasted malts, slightly sugary fragancy & yeast to the nose. Sweet toasted malty upfront. Gentle sugary mouthfeel, ripe & dried fruit – dates & raisins- flavors. No hops. Lingers creamy with kind warming ABV. Full body, soft carbonation. Wow!!

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2012 05:34:56 | More by GONZALOYANNA