Gouden Carolus Tripel - Brouwerij Het Anker

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

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

Rich foamy head on golden. Strong deep taste, somewhat overpowering for a long lunch, it needed much food. Floral hops and honey yeast and orange aroma. Good smooth triple, pepper and spice and honey in taste. Certainly up to par with the other great beers I have had from this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2005 05:18:21 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.88/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Lemon-tangerine pie with an enormous head of oven-toasted ecru meringue. Actually, the cap is so impossibly creamy that it looks like meringue prior to baking, not after. The bubbles have now quieted themselves and the head looks even more spectacular as it slowly melts. This is a classic looking Belgian beer.

It's difficult to get the full measure of the nose through so much thick foam, especially since I poured a second time before taking a sniff. What I can appreciate is very good. GCT smells like shortbread cookies containing chunks of candied lemon peel and a light sprinkling of ground clove. My hope is that I'll get a better crack at it in a few minutes. I did and I love it.

Gouden Carolus Triple is one of the best versions of this style that has ever crossed my lips. This is outstanding beer, there's no question about it. I'm not sure that I've ever had a more tropical fruity tripel. The cornucopia-like flavor profile is overflowing with banana, pineapple and buttery pear.

A huge amount of pale malt is the bedrock that allows the rest of the flavors to shine. And they take the opportunity to shine like a thousand suns. I'm amazed at how much sweet banana saturates each and every mouthful. I don't mean to forget the delicious spiciness of the Belgian hops and the Belgian yeast. They're as perfectly integrated and as beautifully balanced as all the rest.

The mouthfeel is pure magic. I can't imagine a more lusciously creamy, more silky smooth, more mouthfilling ale that this. Each sip seems to expand in every direction until it seems as if my mouth won't be able to contain it. I keep taking mouthful after mouthful, not believing what I'm experiencing. If ever I wanted 750 ml rather than 330 ml, it's right now.

I didn't realize how much I love Brouwerij Het Anker beer until I glanced at the reviews of the two others that I've had. Classic is an exceptional BSDA and Noel (also a BSDA) is one of the best Christmas beers in the world as far as I'm concerned. Triple is right up there as well. Is there no end to the number of fantastic tripels that one tiny country can produce? This is one for the ages.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2007 15:56:32 | More by BuckeyeNation

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.23/5  rDev -21.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Picked up a single bottle of this at the Total Wine in Alexandria. Served in a Jackie O's snifter.

The pour brings a brew with a light apricot body as well as a three-finger head with quite a bit of retention. Rocky, moon-like surface with quite a few bubbles on top. The nose immediately brings some light bubblegum character along with a healthy dose of clove. There's a slight toffee character underlying what is coming from the yeast.

The taste immediately comes forward with a strong grain presence and a bit of light sweetness. Along with a bit of white pepper spice and clove, there is some light pear character as well as some slight stone fruits. There isn't the sort of underlying complexity that I would expect here. Additionally, there is also a bit of light apple character. The toffee notes that come from the nose are here as well, and this seems to be a bit heavy on the malt and does not bring nearly enough yeast character.

The feel is medium with a bit of sweetness in the finish. I really would like a lot more coming out of the yeast here, as this is seems to really be lacking in complexity when compared with better examples of the style, and certainly when compared to quite a few other Het Anker brews.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2010 03:48:46 | More by Thorpe429

brentk56

North Carolina

4.18/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a cloudy peach colored body with a frothy head that leaves splashy lacing all over the chalice

Smell: Candi sugar, yeast, caramel, clove, banana

Taste: Sweet, yeast laden malt on the front end with bananas building from front to finish; after the swallow, a peppery clove-banana flavor arrives; a bit of hop on the finish provides a nice contrast

Mouthfeel: Light body with lots of carbonation; some warmth on the finish

Drinkability: A bit too sweet to consume in any quantity but otherwise excellent

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2006 03:51:13 | More by brentk56

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

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

4.72/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle: Poured a golden hazy beer with a huge head with perfect retention. Aroma is quite complex with a mix of yeast, hops, malts and something sweet like some orange. Taste is just incredible with a perfect mix between sweetness (this beer gotta have some candi sugar in it) and the hops. Alcohol is not noticeable at all, which is great when you have a 9% ABV beer. Overall, this is just wonderful, probably one the best discovery from my recent trip to Belgium.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2004 20:14:28 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.35/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is quickly becomming one of my favorite breweries. This Tripel is part of the reason why. Though it is probably my least favorite of the Carolus brews that I've had, it is still very solid. Proof of this begins with a pour that immediately releases bold aromas of fresh, tropical fruit, spicy / tart yeast, earthy hops, and alcoholic strength. The beer has a studry golden, copper color with suspended yeast and an unwaivering head retention. The beer promises bold flavors and a firm texture. The fruit flavors dominate with peaches, pears, apples, pineapples, mangos... All followed by a classic Belgian tartness and a powdery sweet taste (sweetheart candies). Lighty pepery and spicy flavors add to the complexity. The beer feels full, round, and rich from the malts and added sugars; but also thinned by the tartness and rising alcohols. Sweet and spicy right up to the end, where the alcohol and tart dryness kicks in providing a fairly clean, crisp finish. Though the beer is good, I do prefer the Kaiser and Classic over this one.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2007 15:06:35 | More by BEERchitect

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle corked and caged. No freshness date is listed, but it's a beautiful presentation with a black, gold and white label and a black and gold cage atop the cork. It pours a hazy golden orange with a full head of densely creamy white froth that holds exceptionally well and leaves some thick splashes of lace about the goblet. The lacing could be better, but given the 9% alcohol by volume not much more can be expected. The nose is candy sweet with a malty side to it that's nice; and some fruit (orange, apple, lemon) and peppery spice. It's even woody in a way. It's not real bold as tripels go; but it's clean, fresh, and inviting. The body is medium-light; and across the tongue it's lightly zesty with it's effervescent carbonation lending a tickle that's backed up by some light alcohol "sting". The flavor is as the nose suggests, but bolder with much more candy sugar and more apple flavor. It's light on the palate but satisfying, lending to a great deal of drinkability. Only it's alcohol content stands in the way of its being a highly drinkable beer; but that's only due to its intoxicating effect as the alcohol itself never really intrudes in the flavor. It's always present, but never becomes dominant. Quite well done; and certainly not one to be missed by fans of the tripel style.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2004 18:03:01 | More by NeroFiddled

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Gouden Carolus chalice.

Three gold coins to the man who makes me some tasty beer! Something like that. (Don't worry about it.) This brew pours a clear golden straw topped by a healthy finger of fizzy white foam. The nose comprises banana, clove, pepper, a hint of bubblegum, a hint of vanilla, and some heavy yeast notes. The taste follows almost exactly, adding only a small touch of citrus hoppiness. The body is a light medium, with an active carbonation and a crisp, drying finish. Overall, a very good tripel, just not something to down on a heavy basis by any stretch.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2010 01:21:55 | More by TMoney2591

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.4/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Holy Guacamole! This corked little devil came out with NO effort--BOOM!
And now my trousers are wet...

Muddy golden hue...vast mass of fluffy foam, white as snow sits on top and elegantly collapses, leaving gentle lace...Aroma: yeast, citric, but light, airy, a little honeyish...Taste: mmm, just right!

Elaborate? I shall. A garden of fruit is here, apricots, peaches, oranges, banana, mix it with cream, soften it with sugar, throw some honey in it, whipped cream on top now, gently sprinkle with spices...tastiness abounds! Lightly, judiciously hopped, ample malt, incessant flavor. Body is about medium, finish is nigh-unto-eternal, light, sugary, and just about damned delicious, balance is near perfect too, nothing is overly forward, everything meets just-so, and it's drinkability gets a boost from that.
My first try with this one, and now it's a new favorite, that I'll return to again and again...deeelicious!

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2004 06:44:59 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

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

The beer pours a golde color with a thick frothy white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a nice pale malt scent that is slightly dry with a fruity yeast finish. It is rich and warm. The taste is good as well. It has a dry, warm, pale malt flavor that is rich and full of alcohol. It goes down slow and finishes slightly fruity and warm. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a damn good tripel. It is a bit warmer than I would prefer, but it is full of flavor; a good drinker.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2004 22:08:54 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

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

Served in a Gouden Carolus glass. Beer is amber to orange and really hazy. Forms a big head of offwhite medium bubbles that leaves a lot of lacing on the glass. Carbonation is moderate and steady.

Aroma is sweet with a slight hint of esters. Yeasty / bready as well. Hints of mild caramel flavors in the aroma.

Beer is pretty carbonated in the mouth. Caramelly and sweet up front, finishes cleanly with a little roast and some dryness in the back. Overall its a good Belgian trip. Not much to say.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2010 16:11:47 | More by drabmuh

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

zeff80

Missouri

4.55/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a Duvel glass (at a restaraunt).

A - It had a golden amber color and a massive head (basically half the glass).

S - A fairly complex aroma. Some citrus (lemony) and yeast smells.

T - It had a sweet malty flavor, a little like caramel. Also, some citrus flavors came through.

M - It is medium bodied and highly carbonated.

D - It is very drinkable. At 9% ABV you can't have too many, though.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2006 15:37:53 | More by zeff80

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.95/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours with a clear, rich, concentrated gold color and is topped by an easily three-finger thick, frothy, light tan colored head that leaves some lacing on the sides of the glass. The aroma is quite herbal; perhaps a mix of fermentation character, hops and even a touch of grassy malt. Notes of vanilla peak through a base of dry weeds (which give this some sharp biting notes), . There is a nice aromatic note of both sweet and toasty malt here that has vague nuances of butterscotch, a just lightly malty caramel note, some dry soda cracker notes, and the aforementioned grassy grain character. There is a touch of higher alcohols in the nose, which only seem to accentuate that sharp, sort of weed-like herbal note that seems to be the most dominant note.

Sharp up front with a herbal astringent note, but the beer immediately softens up a bit with a sweet malt character. Notes of honey are certainly in evidence and mix quite well with the herbal notes; the combination makes me think of some sort of greenish wild flower nectar. This beer has a way of lightly sticking to the palate, letting one no that this is not a beer to take lightly, though it certainly drinks a bit lighter than its alcohol content might suggest. Back to that sharpness, it seems to be a combination of higher alcohols and some phenolic notes, neither of which are out of control and in fact add a touch of balance to the sweetness that might otherwise be dominating. Speaking of phenolics there is a definite note of clove here, which tends to accentuate the sweet malt. There are also some noticeable fruit notes here, predominantly pear, green apple, and tart plum.

This is an interesting beer; sweet yet astringently dry at times; palate sticking, yet light enough to be quaffable. There is definitely enough sharp rough edges here to balance the sweet malt and fruit notes. At times this beer is incredibly enjoyable, but at other times there is something (that I can't quite put my finger on) that seems a bit off kilter. It is not enough to negate my enjoyments, but it certainly makes me ponder, and perhaps that is a good thing anyway. In the end not being able to fully grasp this beer makes it that much more intriguing.

Purchased: Plaza Liquors, Tucson AZ

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2006 04:30:20 | More by Gueuzedude

Halcyondays

California

3.93/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

11.2 oz. bottle,

A: Pours a golden yellow, with orange highlights, with a phenomenal white, fluffy head, good lacing in a tulip glass.

S: Fruity esters, apple and pear, with a bit of malt, has a definite floral, herbal quality to the smell.

T: Good tasting tripel. A fruity center meets with light malt and yeast esters to make a fantastic combination. There is also a hint of caramel and candy sugar in this brew too.

M: Smooth and fluffy, full-bodied and warming.

D: A drinkable and tasty tripel. Haven't had this one for a while, I'm glad I revisited it, it is a quality beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2007 17:33:37 | More by Halcyondays

Gavage

New Jersey

3.58/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: pours a clear orange color with a 1" head that lasts. Some mild lacing develops.

Smell: fruit sweetness, honey, and yeast are picked up by the nose.

Taste: very fruity, nice malt profile, honey, green grapes, decent bitterness, and alcohol make up a decent triple.

Mouthfeel: medium-heavy in body. Crisp from start to finish. Short sweet aftertaste sticks to the tongue.

Drinkability: this is a good beer but it was a touch unbalanced as the sweetness seemed to grow as the glass emptied. Alcohol keeps this down a notch too.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2007 23:24:19 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

4.72/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

750 ml cage-corked bottle, poured into a glass chalice:

Pours hazed orangeish golden with a white head that thins and becomes a lasting, swirling patch. Surprisingly, and unfortunately, the glass is left almost clean as a whistle (though there are a few vanishing dots and a thin film.

The smell is of spiced, bready yeast (a nice one), apples, oranges with earthy/grainy, caramelish notes.

The taste is complex, in a mellow/subtle way. Fruity - apple, melon, a bit of pear, a hint of orange with a balancing earthy/herbal, grassy spicing - hoppy without becoming too herbal/medicinal. This is all held together by caramel and a nice yeast strain. Wonderful balance of malt, hops, and yeast. Just a hint of soft alcohol that lends dryness and a touch of peppery spice more than it does heat.

Lighter-side of medium-bodied, but still rich. Creamy, yet lively. Very refreshing.

Considering the abv this is wonderfully drinkable. Complex, robust in a mellow way. Refreshing. Hits the spot on a warm day, though I could easily appreciate this year-round. For wine-drinkers coming over to beer (graduating?) substitute this for pinot grigio.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2008 01:41:03 | More by jwc215

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.55/5  rDev -14%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This beer pours a hazy light golden brown, with an insane amount of foamy white head - I had to pour it in three stages. The head is actually courteous and doesn't take too long to disappear, leaving dense lacing around the glass. The smell is spicy - cloves, ginger, and bitter citrus. The taste is bitter and floral aromatic hops, more of the spicy cloves, lemon zest, and kind of fruity. With the booze warming, it's pretty intense at first, but mellows out fairly quickly when the fruitiness settles in. There isn't much carbonation to speak of, and the spiciness carries through the finish, which is kind of cloyingly sweet. For its strength, in flavour and alcohol, this is fairly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2009 01:31:44 | More by biboergosum

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served this baby on Turkey Day. Overall thoughts are that it was tasty, but not terribly complex. Taste was fairly sweet up front, belgian candi style sweetness, and finished with a bit of grassy bitterness. It was pleasant, but there are better tripels available. Still not a bad beer for Thanksgiving.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2006 03:33:22 | More by tempest

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

First let me say this one of the best overall tripels I have come into contact with, the type of beer that won't let you wipe a smile off of your face. Appears as a drop of sunshine in my glass with golden orange slightly hazed tone to it, huge mountainous layers of foaming vibrant white head mixed with yeast, leaves an even trickled lace with great head retention on this beast. I must give credit for my selection of this to Hart from the Sharp Edge, because this has been a beer I have overlooked for way too long. Aroma is heavenly with lucious spices along with waves of crescendoing malt tailed by honey richnss wrapped in deep tones of alcohol. Flavor great sweetness from the malt very rich and smooth and warming I truly love this beer simply amazing tripel. Mouthfeel is silky and buttery with carbonation that tickles the senses. Drinkability I could have more of these, but I would fall over when I tried to get off the bar stool.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2003 08:43:10 | More by WVbeergeek

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Explosive and extensive white head; leaves lumpy lace. Greenish yellow liquor color. Cloudy like a wheat beer.

Light malt and strong Belgian yeast aromas. The alcohol is quite present.

Light malt and soured cream flavor up front. The finish continues the sour flavor with what seems to be a very strong wheat component. This has a lower level of carbonation, which makes this a creamier tripel.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2009 22:58:37 | More by smcolw

Wasatch

Utah

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

Thanks goes out to sirhc for this one.

Poured into a chalice a deep dark golden color, nice carbonation, huge two finger plus creamy head, tons of sticky lacing afterwards. The nose is malty, slightly sweet, spicy, bready, and yeasty. The taste is sweet/tangy, spicy, malty, and yeasty. Medium body, a nice complex brew. Very drinkable, a very tasty tripel, highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2007 23:25:15 | More by Wasatch

jdhilt

New Hampshire

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

Pours a two-finger white head that vanishes without a trace lace. Cloudy amber color. Light-medium carbonation and light-medium bodied. Nose is distinctly raisins, starts sweet and finishes sweet and sour but mellow. No hint of alcohol!! Another excellent triple. 330ml bottle for $3.49 from Hoosick St. Discount Bev, Troy, NY.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2005 23:35:04 | More by jdhilt

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