Gouden Carolus Tripel - Brouwerij Het Anker

Kremlock

Ontario (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a slight haze, pale straw colour, thin head, thin lacing.

S: green bananas, sour citrus, sour apples.

T: Same as nose with some breadyness.

M: High carbonation, full body. Dry body but finishes with some residual sweetness

O: Exceptional! This is a well balanced Triple with some great sourness balanced with sweetness.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 01:10:54 | More by Kremlock

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

4.19/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a slightly hazy pale golden colour, thumb of head with solid retention and nice chunky lacing.

S - Bitter citrus rind, bananas, cotton candy and mandarin orange, sweet yeast and a heavy dose of cloves and all-spice.

T - Sour citrus rind dominates alongside the cloves, mandarin oranges come through nicely with a peppery spice, leafy green hop presence and a bitter grapefruit finish. ABV is incredibly well hidden, making for a dangerously drinkable brew.

M - Lighter bodied ale that is a tad prickly, though finishes surprisingly wet.

O - A tasty tripel, and a tad lighter than I've had lately, which was nice for a change. This one was heavy on the citrus flavour profile, which I really enjoyed. I would certainly buy this one again, unfortunately, as is the case with the LCBO, these offerings don't last long.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 02:23:41 | More by andrenaline

falloutsnow

Illinois

4.51/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From: Binny's, Champaign, IL
Date: Bottled in 2012
Glass: Tulip

Het Anker has a very good tripel with their recipe, which is very reminiscent of Chimay's Spéciale Cent Cinquante in aroma and flavor. Displaying a bouquet of flowery cherry blossoms along with citrus/banana esters and bread-like malts with similar flavors. Like the Chimay, this strikes me as a spring-appropriate beer, a bright tripel without the yeast heaviness that is found in many others (and which I enjoy as equally). I actually prefer this over Chimay's Spéciale Cent Cinquante, and its US distribution and relatively low price don't hurt.

Pours a very tall (4cm) head of off-white to beige foam, composed of small (on the bottom) to medium (middle) and large (top) bubbles. Retention lasts for ages, as expected for the style, and the foam eventually fades to a still substantial 0.75cm cap atop the body of the beer. Lacing is excellent, substantial thick washes mixed with spiderweb-like patterns line the insides of the glass. The body is a fairly bright golden orange color, about 40-50% opaque, with light bringing out brighter, paler yellow-orange hues. Carbonation is visible, quite active and very numerous.

Smells very similar to Chimay's Spéciale Cent Cinquante: bright, floral and fruity. There is a pleasant cherry-blossom scent, along with orange zest and mild banana, spicy Continental hops, sweet pale malts that accentuate the blossom-like scent, and subdued Belgian yeast phenols. Really phenomenal, a wonderful and lively aroma.

Front palate is of rich, sweet malt with notable cherry blossom flavors, musty Belgian yeast, banana-like esters, citrus zest (orange and bit of lemon), and slightly spicy and woodsy Continental hops. Mid-palate of banana, sweet and bready malts, Belgian yeast phenols, orange rind, diluted honey, pale malt sweetness, spice and woodsiness from Continental hops, and slight ethanol (as the beer warms). Back of palate picks up ethanol, slight coconut, pale bready malts, Belgian yeast phenols, and spicy Continental hop contributions. Aftertaste of peach, apricot, and nectarine with a touch of Belgian yeast phenols and musty banana.

Beer is medium-bodied, with carbonation of medium to medium-high intensity, resulting in a slightly fizzy, prickly feel at first, but quickly becoming very foamy, smooth and creamy, ultimately as soft on the palate as it is in smell and taste.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 05:27:43 | More by falloutsnow

polloenfuego

Ontario (Canada)

4.36/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 330 ml bottle into a snifter.

A three finger head appeared on top. The beer itself poured a hazy golden.

There are some fruity aromas present and an overall mild and pleasing aroma is present.

The taste is fruity and sweet with the carbonation being a little forward.

Quite a nice tripel...thanks to my Belgian buddy B for bringing this to me.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 17:17:37 | More by polloenfuego

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

4.33/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Hazy golden orange with just over a finger of white head, light lace as well here. Smell is fruity with lots of green apple and banana, yeasty with just a bit of spice to it as well, crisp malt with lots of lemony hops in there as well. Taste has spice up front followed by massive fruit largely in the way of green apple, lemony, banana and yeasty, mild lingering bitterness throughout, more fruit in the aftertaste. Medium-high prickly carbonation, medium creamy body. One of the better triplels I have had in a while, something worthy of multiple revisits.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 16:27:59 | More by peensteen

newton99

Belgium

3.34/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

A: pours a slightly hazy gold with two fingers of white head that fades into a dense cap with good lacing.

S: some spices up front followed by candy sugar and light fruits like grapes and pears. Sweet bread aromas bring up the finish.

T: spices at first followed by some light fruits and candy sugar. A strong, sweet yeasty flavor follows with a slight alcohol burn.

M: medium-light body with highish, frothy carbonation, this beer's alcohol presence keeps it from being light and crisp.

O: a pretty decent tripel overall. I would like a bit more depth of flavor with less alcobol presence.

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 09:53:27 | More by newton99

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

330ml Bottle from the Ottawa LCBO for $3.00

Appearance - hazy gold colour with a massive size fizzy white coloured head. It's hard to make out the amount of carbonation showing and there is some great lacing. The head lasted for 6-7 minutes.

Smell - Breads/grains, white grapes, oranges, clove/yeast, banana

Taste & Mouth - There is a very high amount of carbonation and I can taste bread/grains mixed with bananas and green grapes and orange zest. There is also some clove and yeast and some candied sugar. It ends with a light bittersweet fruity aftertaste.

Overall - I don't think this brewer makes a bad beer. This is another wonderfully balanced yet complex beer. The flavours are great and don't taste artificial and the alcohol is well hidden. A winner.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 01:06:36 | More by spinrsx

hardy008

Minnesota

4.41/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Hazy dark gold with a 3 finger foamy white head, with good retention and very nice lacing. the aroma has peaches, pears, apples, pale malts, Belgian yeast, and spices.

The taste is sweet, with some bitterness for balance. There are pale malts, candy sugar, pepper, peaches, pears, apples, citrus, and spices. The citrus hop flavor combines with the pepper to provide enough bitterness to make this a nicely balanced beer.

Light to medium bodied with plenty of carbonation. The alcohol is well hidden for 9.00 % abv. Another very nice, and well made beer. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 02:16:30 | More by hardy008

gmelcar

4.11/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured a slightly hazy golden liquid. Dense and persistent white foam, with a nice lacing.
Citrus aroma. Flavor is orangy, with hints of honey. Medium bodied beer. Alcohol is present but very well balanced into flavors. Dry aftertaste. Very nice tripel !

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 00:25:50 | More by gmelcar

KingSlayer

Mexico

3.94/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

12 fl oz bottle
poured a golden semitranslucent liquid, at least 2 fingers white head, medium retention, nice lacing, visible carbonation, nose of honey, cinnamon and colves, estery malts, palate is interesting because its not dark fruits like you would expect, this is more like honey spiced refreshing brew with malt estery character. medium body lots of carbonation, i liked it because its different and liked the honey spiced touch.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 00:18:27 | More by KingSlayer

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(Served in a chalice)
A- This beer pours a hazy pale orange body with a sticky bubble antique white head that is supported by strands of microbubbles.

S- The double bubble aroma has some fruity esters to follow with a ripe peach quality to them. There are some dried orange peel notes and overripe pineapple hints come through in the finish.

T- The taste of club soda and dry yeast has some orange zest flavor in the finish. There is a lemon ester note that comes through as the beer opens.

M- This beer has a medium-light mouthfeel with a crisp fizz and no real alcohol heat.

O- The nice dry fruity esters combined with crisp easy drinking beer make this beer go down very fast. The citrus flavors are a nice twist on the classic tripel

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 20:17:46 | More by rhoadsrage

BeerWizard

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This was a good beer. I like tripels but mostly drink American made; though I figured it being NYE and all I'd try another Belgian tripel, and was not disappointed.

I popped the cork off and the thing fizzed out all over the counter, floor, and sink eventualy, so no lack of carbonation. After that situation was dealt with I poured it into a goblet. Nice amber color, hazy, just what I like to see.

Smelled BREADY, which I like - super yeasty. I make my own bread, and the aroma coming off of that was very much like freshly baked bread. Had a bitter tinge to the flavor, like some subtle hoppiness, but not hopped exactly, and it brought some nice structure into it. Maybe more like a saison-type of funkiness. The alcohol was present but hung back respectfully. Herbal, fairly thick, slick, and traditional.

Nothing wrong with it, and overall a very good tripel, though I'd probably not get it again for myself. I would recommend it though, and I'd probably buy a bottle to give as a gift or bring to an occasion.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 06:09:13 | More by BeerWizard

UCLABrewN84

California

4.08/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a murky honey orange with a foamy beige head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small dots and streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Particles of sediment are seen suspended in the beer after the pour. Smell is of malt, grain, yeast, fruits, spices, and a mild citrus-like hop aroma. Taste is much the same with a nice crisp fruity flavor on the finish. There is a mild amount of spice bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that has a great smell and some nice flavors.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 04:04:18 | More by UCLABrewN84

Maakun

Afghanistan

4.08/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Light golden color, almost straw. Quite clear, and with a big white head that shrinks quite fast to a smal layer.

At suggested serving temperature there's not much smell. After a little while in the glass there's some yeast, lemon, and a hint of cloves.

Taste is yeasty, some spices (cloves), a little dried fruits, and some hoppiness. Also again a little lemon(peel). Aftertase is almost like fresh bread with some hops and apples. Also a slight grassiness that I don't like too much.

Mouth is quite light, nice carbonation. Nothing too special.

Overall this is a nice tripel, quite light, but nicely balanced. The big yeastmonsters aren't my favorites, this is a bit more mellow and fresh, not bad at all!

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 21:23:45 | More by Maakun

benfons

Belgium

3.6/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: nice hazy blond colour, little carbonation rising up, nice thick head

S: orange/lemon, clove, petit beurre biscuits, a hint of hops

T: loads of malts, banana and orange, hint of pepper some yeast, quite balanced, altough not that complex

M: the peppery notes really irritate my tongue, other wise carbonation is fine, medium body

O: descent beer, not wild of the peppery aspects, well balance, not very complex

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 23:52:03 | More by benfons

Cozzatoad

Italy

4.08/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle

A- Slightly hazy, somewhere in between deep golden and orange. Huge and also dense white head that shows great retention throughout the whole tasting. Not as much lacing as you would expect from such a head but still enough to be satisfied with

S- Musty/earthy yeast is dominant. Some delicate fruity (citrus, apple) and sugary notes on the back of things, also a slight warming touch from the alcohol. Overall obviously on the sweet side

T- Not as earthy as the smell suggested, but much more bright instead. Caramel malts, with strong candy-like notes from the sugar, very sweet but still far from cloying. nice support from the esters, on the back but still vividly present with a warming spicy feel. Then some fruity notes as the smell suggested (again apple, slight citrus, pear maybe). Very nice and perfectly amalgamated

M- Very soft, full-bodied mouthfeel on both tongue and palate. Carbonation is still quite vivid, adding a touch of lively/prickly feel to the mouthfeel. Just dry enough in the aftertaste to make you longing for another sip

O- A classic tripel that stays totally true to the style, and a great one at that. I would ask no more. Very nice balance and drinkability given the 9%ABV

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2012 16:14:20 | More by Cozzatoad

superspak

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle into chalice, best before 7/8/2013. Pours hazy golden orange color with a nice 2 finger dense white head with great retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Nice soapy lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of big pear, apple, lemon, pepper, grape, clove, earth, grass, herbal, candi sugar, bread, and yeast spices. Very nice aromas with good complexity. Very phenolic and spicy feeling. Taste of pear, apple, grape, pepper, earth, herbal, clove, bread, candi sugar, and yeast spices. Lingering notes of light fruit, clove, pepper, bread, earth, candi sugar, and yeast spices on the finish for a good bit. Nice balance and complexity of flavors with no cloying sweetness at all. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a fairly creamyh and slick mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a small warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an excellent Tripel. Nice flavor balance and complexity; very smooth to sip on. Really enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 03:34:51 | More by superspak

SolipsismalCat

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a snifter.

A: Cloudy golden yellow with giant, white, foamy awesome looking head that lasted forever. Great lacing.

S: Citrus, tropical, toasted malt, yeast.

T: Light sweetness and light bitterness. Toasted and spicy with a hint of citrus.

M: Medium bodied with lively carbonation. Dry and quite warm going down.

O: Good Tripel. A bit too biting for my taste. Really warm, which was nice. Looks phenomenal.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2012 01:15:32 | More by SolipsismalCat

jaimenavarrog

Mexico

4.1/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Yellow brown opaque
Foam didn't last much
The Foam was Tick not small like a necklace
Excellent smell
Aroma a Malta fermentada
Poco amargor
Muy agradable
Una cerveza para tomar toda la noche
An Excellent option
Great Beer
Mucho cuerpo
...
Tumbs up

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2012 02:20:20 | More by jaimenavarrog

Jamesthebrit

Michigan

3.78/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: explosive white head over a hazy golden body.

S: Very fruity and sweet. hints of pinapple, raisin, grape, a little must in there.

Taste is as the smell. Alcohol comes through a bit much especially in the finish as does the must. fruit is nice but somewhat overpowered.

M: Sits pretty well with a medium body. Gets a little musty.

Overall a pretty nice beer but the musty finish really take a lot away in my mind. For me tripels are always pretty hit and miss and this one missed a little for me. While not as bad as some other's I've had it doesn't really shine above.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2012 21:54:33 | More by Jamesthebrit

metter98

New York

4.13/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: The beer is very hazy and dark golden yellow in color. A moderate amount of carbonation is visible along with some small yeast particles visible floating in suspension. It poured with a three finger high dense white head that has excellent retention properties and took a long time to die down, consistently leaving a thin head covering the surface.
S: There are aromas of yeast in the nose along with notes of fruity esters—bananas stand out in particular.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and also has hints of spices towards the finish.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate to high amount of carbonation. A light amount of dryness is present.
O: This is an excellent representation of the style that is also quite easy to drink because the alcohol is well hidden from the taste. The head is also very impressive and deserving of having this served in a tulip glass.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 01:31:15 | More by metter98

Hunter

Arizona

4.75/5  rDev +15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Pale blond ale, slightly cloudy. Frothy white head of dense bubbles that sticks around longer than I would have anticipated. Several fine threads of very active carbonation coming from the bottom of the glass to help sustain that head. good tracing patterns as well.

Smell: Subtle and heady. Belgian candies, light spice, notes of alcohol in the background.

Taste: Light. Notes of hop, citrus, candied fruit. Palate clears almost immediately on the swallow, leaving behind a pleasantly faint aftertaste of sugar and spice. If there's a criticism to make, it's that this brew is not terribly complex. But it's a minor, minor consideration when what's there is so good. Liquid Zen.

Mouthfeel: Sharp, bubbly, bracing. Dry on the palate, clears itself almost immediately after the swallow with little else but a light trace of sugar on the tongue after.

Overall: It may be simply because it's the style of ale I prefer, but the Belgians are far and away the world's best brewmasters. Another choice for me to add to my regular rotation!

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2012 00:47:59 | More by Hunter

Converge

Alberta (Canada)

4.3/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

330ml bottle poured into a 16oz goblet.

A - Pours a medium golden-amber with moderate haze and a sticky, snow-white head. Quite a bit of carbonation flowing up the glass. Head retains stubbornly and taking style and glassware into consideration, it laces very nicely.

S - Zesty, grassy hops, Belgian yeast and coriander up front. Bready malt, honey, hay, and candi sugar. Fruitiness is comprised mainly of white grapes and pears. Spices add some balance to all the sweeter aromas.

T - Follows the nose for the most part. Lots of bready malt, Belgian yeast, grassy hops, and zesty, earthy flavors. Finishes with some spice and hops, with pear and white grapes making an appearance as well. Less sweet than the aroma had me thinking, as the candi sugar and honey aren't here as much; although they still provide a nice sweetness. White grape and hops provide some dryness and slight bitterness respectively to the finish. Alcohol presence is minimal. A nice bubblegum flavor comes through as it warms. Overall a strong representation of the style but could have used a bit more complexity or depth to the profile in the end.

M - Fine and very smooth carbonation with a medium body. Very smooth overall. Dry finish, with some spice and mild bittering character. Fitting of the style, and very nice.

D - Overall this is a very nice tripel, and a great representation of what one should be. While not the most complex brew in the style, it's flavorful and very drinkable. I'd love to see how some age treats this one.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2012 22:41:01 | More by Converge

ehsieh02

New York

3.63/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Golden orangy color, foam is creamy and stay for a long time. even after 10 minutes its still there.

S: Orange peel, lemon, yeasty, also a little bit white flower floral at the end.

F: sweet at front, bursting with much of yeast flavor, like lots of clove, a bit hay like. Ten fruitiiness follow, like Orange, very juicy after all.

M: Medium and rounded mouthfeel, u can feel sweetness in your mouth for aftertaste.

O: It's a very yeasty beer overall, and not as dry like other triple. However it's a nice and pleasant beer to go with meal.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2012 10:47:53 | More by ehsieh02

iSip

Colorado

4.43/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Gouden Carolus Tripel, 22 oz bomber: Good one! Hazy golden body topped with a decent head that really lasts a long time and laces well. Not much in the aroma department, but this is made up for in flavor. Fizzy and light, this tripel has lots of apricot notes, and reminds you of good champagne. Highly recommended tripel.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2012 18:57:36 | More by iSip