Gouden Carolus Noël / Christmas - Brouwerij Het Anker

essie

Colorado

4.15/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I tried this on tap several months back at the Kulminator (it was only a couple weeks old from the brewery), but my notes were unfortunately somewhat sparse. That said, here's what I wrote down:

Dark in color with a nice off-white head. Smells and tastes of dark malts with a heavy anise overtone; very smooth and rich, with a medium body. Drinkability suffers a little from the heavy taste of anise and the high abv, but it's still an awesome beer that's definitely worth trying.

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2008 07:46:27 | More by essie

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.48/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Appearance: Pours a deep, dark chestnut brown body topped with a quarter inch off creamy, off-white head. Very thick, very coating lacing as it goes.

Smell: Earthy, spicy, malty nose with notes of anise, prune, black currants and, wait, is that Jäger I'm smelling?

Taste: Sweet caramel, spiced molasses, black licorice, and candied fruits blended with a full shot, no, make that two shots of Jägermeister. The heavy malts, fruits, and bitter herbal liqueur all vie for dominance. Who's the winner? Well, I'll just say you get a bit more Jäger on the dry finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-full body. Medium carbonation. Chewy mouthfeel.

Drinkability: Grr, when I get my hands on whoever dropped a shot of Jägermeister in my Gouden Carolus Noël, I'll take my shoe to them!

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2008 07:26:45 | More by ChainGangGuy

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +5%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at Monk's Cafe in Philadelphia, PA.

Pours a dark chestnut brown with a large forhty head. Very malty, spicy aroma with hints of dark fruit, chocolate and pepper. Sweet matly alcohol taste up front with a dry, peppery finish with hints of raisin and dark cherries.

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2008 08:02:44 | More by corby112

gerardoluna

Mexico

4.13/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Sep 15, 2008
[Eyes] Dark brown like the classic color with a moorefoamy white head.
[Nouse] The aroma is festive and strong... Christmas fruity with hints of banana, malt caramel, yeast, vanilla, and brown cuban sugar.
[Mouth] Great Full body with nice and gentile carbonation, notes of flavors of sweet, strong fruits, sugar and yeast. The Afther taste is long and sweet with a touch of caramel and vanilla. mmm!

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: on-tap

11-27-2008 20:34:46 | More by gerardoluna

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.3/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Max's the other day.

The beer pours a a dark brownish amber color with very good head retention and lacing. This beer looks impressive. On the nose I get some cherry, cola and spice, all of which combines very nicely to make the aroma very enticing. On the palate this beer is just delicious. There is a delightful maraschino cherry flavor, coupled with cola, vanilla and chocolate. The beer is medium sweet, with a very long, smooth, rich finish. This beer is just decadent. Alcohol is pretty well disguised, though you can tell it's up there.

An excellent X-mas beer. The best I've had this year so far. Good stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

10-27-2008 13:13:24 | More by johnmichaelsen

ViveLaChouffe

Georgia

4.33/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sampled on-tap at the Kulminator in Antwerp, Belgium...

Pours a murky dark brown with tinges of mahogany topped by a frothy tan head. Smells quite yeasty and spicy, breadiness, cinnamon, clove and some strident aniselicorice aromas.

Taste evokes the holidays! Cinnamons, ginger, cloves and nutmeg are evident. Dark fruit and breadiness with a fair amount of anise. Very full bodied with a sweet finish and sweet spice and licorice in the finish. Nice warming from the ample alcohol as well.

Lovely x-mas beer!

Serving type: on-tap

10-16-2008 02:59:42 | More by ViveLaChouffe

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.3/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at the Brick Store Pub in a Gouden Carolus glass. Poured a very dark brown, almost black with a decent head that fades somewhat quickly but that leaves some excellent lacing. Lots of licorice and anis aromas coming from the glass, and the same is true of the flavors. Licorice up front, followed by a delicious sweet breadiness, followed by a hit of anis on the finish. The mouthfeel is big and creamy, and though it's got a high abv, its not hot at all. Overall it is a wonderful winter warmer with a slightly different flavor profile from the rest.

Serving type: on-tap

01-26-2008 15:50:14 | More by Georgiabeer

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a brown-ish amber color with a light tan head. In the aroma, cinnamon and licorice. In the taste, licorice and hints of alcohol and cinnamon. A spicy and alcohol bite in the mouthfeel and a dry cinnamon and sweet alcohol in the aftertaste. Shows a small amount of alcohol but mostly hidden, nice flavors and very tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

12-26-2007 20:58:18 | More by OWSLEY069

kajerm

Illinois

2.8/5  rDev -29.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

On tap at Map Room a few days ago.

Pours ruby red and cloudy as hell with a billowy off-white head that sits just above the rim of the glass.

The aroma is full of heavy, malty sweetness with some figs and a weird note of anise that I can't remember ever smelling or tasting in a beer. Some other spices-- clove and cinnamon, mainly-- are present, as are alcohol and fruity esters.

Tastes like it smells, but much, much sweeter. This is just too cloying for me (and I like some sickeningly sweet maltbombs), and it's especially weird with the black licorice flavor, which would be interesting and refreshing in another beer.

The mouthfeel is syrupy and somewhat chewy.

Not much in the way of drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2007 23:28:40 | More by kajerm

Stoneman78

California

3.85/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed at the 2007 Strong Ale festival
A- Murky amber hue, thin layer of white frothy head, spotty lacing
S- Licorice and spice, dark fruits (raisins and plums), floral hops and spice
T- Initial taste dominated by licorice/anise and raisins, touch of chalk and smoke, dark plums and figs, slight berries and brown sugar, warming alcohol
M- Medium-bodied, watery texture, mild carbonation
D- Smooth and fruity beer full of winter spices, alcohol presence is stiff and limits drinkability

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2007 17:28:10 | More by Stoneman78

wardough

Wisconsin

4.1/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served on tap at the local YardHouse.

Overall-awesome. A great sipper on a cold winter night.
A: Poured on tap into a goblet. about 1/2 in head that disperses to lacing.
S: Figs, raisins, cognac. It's a party down there. Jump on in.
T: It's definitely a party. The alcohol warms you up, followed by the sweet taste of figs and raisins.
M: Heavy mouthfeel. Very light carbonation.
D: I drank a few of these and they went down with ease. For the style, very easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

11-18-2007 05:46:38 | More by wardough

zuggy9

California

4.35/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I love this Belgian ale. It pours dark coppery-brown, with a nice beige head and great lacing. The smell is rich and strong. A lot of malt and fruit is apparent, with some sharp qualities. The taste is rich also, with a dense sweetness mixed with some fruit. It's quite creamy and is very full bodied. Very drinkable, despite knocking you for a loop with the 10.5% ABV. I can't wait for next season!

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2007 04:17:38 | More by zuggy9

Westsidethreat

California

4.8/5  rDev +20.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

2005 vintage on tap at the Stuffed Sandwich

A: Chestnut amber with minimal activity under the hood. Head is medium beige made up of semi tight bubbles. As it falls, a fine layer remains on top.

S: Fresh anise, caramel, fig, honey and blackberries

T: Begins lightly herbal with obvious anise qualities. The anise is concentrated, like and extract that was created from soaking seeds in vodka. Alcohol vapors rise to the nose filling with licorice memories from my childhood. A base of submissive dark malt is hard to describe...almost like a mild chocolate component to support the licorice, like an Andes candy. Licorice flavor has ridiculous amounts of depth which platueas and peaks at so many levels. Finishes spicy and lively with caramel simmering under the herbal flavors. Aftertaste is herbal yet fruity.

M: Medium body with a decent mouthfeel. Highly carbonated like most Belgians.

D: I love this beer. In a world of copy cat beers, this one stands out as unique. I can see how some dislike it though, perhaps too much licorice. Personally, I think its near perfect. One of the best Xmas beers ever made.

Serving type: on-tap

12-17-2006 17:49:36 | More by Westsidethreat

alexgash

Connecticut

4.72/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Glad to find this on-tap at Ashley's. Served in a tall tulip glass. Dark ruby body with chestnut brown edges. Sticky, off-cream head. Nose is full of rich fruit and sugar malts adorned with light cloves, yeast, toffee, sugar cookies, and some vinous notes. Sweet and malty; dark fruits blend with sugary cookie malts. Yum. Mild and appropriate spices (clove, anise, and vanilla). Alcohol doesn't hide in this one, but it fits in nicely. Warming, but not boozy. Full-bodied, slightly syrupy feel. A very well done and not over-spiced xmas ale. Must make this a staple every December from here on out.

Serving type: on-tap

12-07-2006 01:12:11 | More by alexgash

msubulldog25

Oregon

4.3/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served on-tap, 12 oz. in a large snifter at Concordia Ale house, Portland. This was the 2005 vintage.

A: Deep dark brown, rather muddy looking with about 1/2 finger of head, ok retention. Decent depth of color but rather unimpressive overall...

S: Lots of sweet fruit, malts, yeast spices and alcohol.

T: Great sweet flavors of cherries, raisins, brown sugar, anise and a subtle smokiness. Rich & bold flavors, definitely a strong beer but the alcohol is pretty well masked.

M: Moderately carbonated - a bit like drinking a semi-flat cola. Fuller mouthfeel and body, clinging sweetness without being cloying. Good clean finish with just a little bitterness.

D: A wonderful beer to sip on after dinner on a rainy, cool evening. Excellent flavor and balance make this a winner. Not just a winter beer - I give it a strong recommendation.

Serving type: on-tap

11-03-2006 17:05:19 | More by msubulldog25

Hobbz

Rhode Island

4.28/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had this delicious beer on tap recently at the Brickskeller in DC. Was very much surprised to see it on tap, especially since I only had come across bottles when recently in the Bierlands of Belgium.

Drained from tap into appropriate glasses with full finger foam with the deep dark brown beer settling in nicely below. By the time these glasses were brought down below to the keller much of the suds had subsided - this is a 10+ percenter, after all...

The aroma was full-bodied candy-malt with also big nose of licorice and minty shades; in background, the age-old yet subtle yeast-bite.

The taste really was like candied-beer in a glass, matched with bold beer alcohol and perceptions of it hitting quite substantially (did someone mention schapps? well, gladly a strech). Yet all in all with each sip being more like a medium sized gulp, this seasonal truly is a tasty and drinkable beer. I really also liked the seemingly higher levels of carbonation in this one. Besides the above taste profiles were friuty and spicy notes (plums, anise - maybe coriander).

Enjoyed every last drop.

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2006 00:19:56 | More by Hobbz

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Mad Mex Robinson I'm going to say thanks to Nick, he's one of the bartenders/servers who has had experience working at the Sharp Edge Creekhouse. Needless to say I know he's a fan of Gouden Carolus Tripel and if he saw that they could get a keg of the Noel I'm sure he swayed somebody to make that decision. Appearance: Deep ruby brown light white bubbly effervescent head scattered lacing on the chalice. Aroma: Deep plum spiced nutmeg and other chirstmas spices infused with warming alcohol fruit notes of raisins and apples, nice. Taste: Strong sweetness layers of spice, fruit, and alcohol complexities. Not quite as solid as it has been in the bottle, but damn good nonetheless one of the best Belgian Christmas offerings. Mouthfeel: Medium bodied solid carbonation effervescent tickles the palate a bit. Drinkability: A winter warmer of a devine caliber draft was an experience definitely amazing in the bottle but still great flavorful experience on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

01-17-2006 18:53:59 | More by WVbeergeek

farHillsBrewer

Maryland

4.03/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I tasted 3 Belgian Christmas Ales and prefered this one.
The color was reddish brown with a slight brownish head.
The taste was quite complex: bread pudding, plums, caramel, cinnamon and just the barest trace of alcohol.
Wonderful warming mouthfeel and quite drinkable.
After the other 2 I tried, I wanted another of these.

Serving type: on-tap

12-16-2005 03:25:12 | More by farHillsBrewer

veggiemafia

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

On tap at Fathead's in a goblet.

Good dark ruddy reddish black with some remnant of a light bone colored head. Almost no lacing.

Smell is nice, rum, cherries, honey, and a good bit of alcohol. The alcohol has a character like bourbon or something.

Taste is big on a few things to me, cherries, plums, honey and alcohol. The cherry component though tastes kind of sour, like wild cherries, but it tastes somewhat artificial, and I thought it was just me, but my buddy said the same thing when he tried it. It's kind of like whatever artificial cherry flavor they add to Pepsi.

Mouthfeel is substantial and sticky, pretty nice, and carbonation really makes a pleasant appearance when you take a big sip.

I probably couldn't have more than a couple of these, that cherry thing is weeeeird.

Serving type: on-tap

12-07-2005 04:01:18 | More by veggiemafia

sinistrsam

Maryland

4.03/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This was a dark-amber pour, with a small head dissapating quickly. It smelled of cinnamo and sweet malt, with dark fruits and a lot of complex spiciness. The taste definitely confirmed all of this; lots of dark fruits and spices (cinnamon, nutmet, pepper), alcohol, hops, malt. The finish was once agin very smooth and crisp, pleasant, very warming.

Serving type: on-tap

11-29-2005 22:59:25 | More by sinistrsam

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed at The Moan & Dove, Amherst, MA. Presented in a almost straight-sided Saison DuPont glass.

Arrives with a 1/4" beige head above the dark caramel-hued brew. Head is somewhat short-lived, yet exhibits good lacing. Aroma is sweet malts with an alcohol tinge. Taste follows the nose, with spicy Belgian notes. Mouthfeel and drinkability both excellent. Excellent holiday brew.

Serving type: on-tap

02-13-2005 02:36:27 | More by ppoitras

GClarkage

California

4.65/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

01/07/05- On tap at the Toronado in San Francisco.

Presentation- Served in a tulip glass.

Appearance- A dark reddish-brown pour. Almost like liquid milk chocolate. 3/4 inch head with above average lacing.

Smell- Full of fruits. Mostly muted citrus fruits. Maybe nectarines, peaches, maybe plums?

Taste- Lots of licorice, which I normally dispise, but in this case it served it's purpose. Lots of sweet toned down fruity tastes also. Maybe a bit of burnt banana taste.

Mouthfeel- Very lightly carbonated and a full mouthfeel made this one super to enjoy.

Drinkability- Very new and odd taste to me, but was fantastic. I will be looking for this one in a bottle if I can find it around here. Glad I venutred off my path to try this one at $7.00 a glass.

Serving type: on-tap

01-07-2005 00:22:16 | More by GClarkage

Boilermaker88

California

4.35/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Stopped by Lucky Baldwin's in Pasadena yesterday and was like a kid in a candy store. Christmas Ales, foreign and domestic, graced the taps, among them this offering from Brouwerij Het Anker. I got a pint in a Grottenbier chalice (and got to keep the glass) as part of a Christmas special. Gouden Carolus Noël had a turbid mahogany color with a dense, creamy tan head that left great sheets of lace clinging to the glass. Very attractive.
The nose was an enticing mix of fruity sweetness, hearty malt notes, and a variety of spices. Plums, dates, and raisins represented the fruits while nutmeg, cinnamon, anise and, more faintly, some clove headed the spice list. The alcohol content barely registered with just a faint hint of how potent this Christmas brew was.
The taste was immediately sweet thanks to the flavors of candied plums and raisins all drizzled with caramel. Some bready malt flavor made this seem like a liquid Christmas cookie. Prominently figuring in the flavor parade were nutmeg and licorice. Cinnamon and clove played a supporting role and added to the wonderful complexity of this holiday beer. The anise taste built through the finish. The finish had a slightly peppery bite. The alcohol content made its presence felt with a warming burst in the throat and belly. The feel was full, rich and creamy.
Overall, this was a wonderful winter warmer, even on a warm afternoon in SoCal. Deliciously complex and great to look at, Gouden Carolus Noël is one holiday ale worth going to great lengths to try.

Serving type: on-tap

12-17-2004 17:00:40 | More by Boilermaker88

mickeymac

California

4.43/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Lucky Baldwin's, it's reddish-brown with a thick tan head. The smell is a tantalizing mix of dark ripe fruit, sugary candy, and spice. The taste of plum and grape bounce off anise and hints of cardamom. It has a a nice, chunky mouthfeel. This was my first beer of the evening (on an empty stomach). Neither the smell or taste hinted at the 10.5% abv. However, the warming effect and rush of alcohol to the head told a different story. The whole affair seems like a nice take-off on Grand Cru of the Emperor. It's most certainly another winner from Anker.

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2004 06:07:41 | More by mickeymac

Truh

New Hampshire

4.22/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Spied a partridge in a pear tree with this one on 11/26/2004. 10.5-oz.-looking stemmed glass pour at the right-on ACPH.

Just a hinted swirl of carbonation to begin, with more piling up on the edges. Claret, thick brown hue that echoes. Juicy plums, raisins, and juniper on nose, with a touch of port-like sweetness. Lovely malt gush with a brown sugar melt on the tongue. Lucious overall, and one I would gladly order up continuously throughout the holiday season, and beyond.

Serving type: on-tap

11-29-2004 21:59:35 | More by Truh