Gouden Carolus Noël / Christmas - Brouwerij Het Anker

sartoric

Italy

4.53/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2009 bottle opened at home and poured in a Gouden Carolous cup.
Pour a nice dark brown with tan head. Immediately the complex aroma hits you with malty and caramel fragrance, then came the licorice and a spicy background and some rhubarb. Sweetness and Bitterness are well balanced.

Its full slightly sticky body and soft carbonation make this brew a wonderful pairing for "Cassoeula" a typical Milan's winter old and poor recipe made by stewed pork parts (rind,rib,ear,snout,foot,lil' sausages) and savoy cabbage.

Aging is strongly recommended. After 1 year the body and smoothness that didn't met my expectations last year (that doesn't mean I didn't enjoyed this beer ;) ) are now very satisfactory

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2010 23:25:50 | More by sartoric

fastd03

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +25.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Through my extensive beer sampling over the past decade, the tap version of this beer remains the single best beer I have ever had. While the bottled version has slightly less vibrant color and isn't quite as flavorful, the tap version I had several years ago at The Brickskeller in Washington D.C. remains the only beer I have ever gone back and ordered a second time the The Brickskeller. It has a beautiful color, and more importantly, the warm, rich flavor of a Belgian winter ale, topped off with a hint of sweetness. Fresh off the tap, served in a thick goblet, this beer is truly unequalled.

Serving type: on-tap

08-08-2011 00:34:28 | More by fastd03

Flup

Belgium

2.48/5  rDev -37.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

For the first time I am dissapointed witha beer from Het Anker

A. Red/brouwn colour; almost no foam, no retention

S. Spicy dominated by Liquorice

T. Too much of lis liquorice with a bit of fruits (orange?)

M. Persitant liquorice taste

D. I probably expected too much? but is is not a bee I will recommand, tomorrow I will have a hopsinjoor in order to go on with a positive image of Het Anker

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2008 21:02:42 | More by Flup

dougnboston

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +25.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

One of the best holiday beers made. It sells out very quickly, so if you are lucky enough to find one, grab it.

I've visited the brewery. There are about five people working there and they can't make a lot of beer. It's a wonderful thing that their beers actually are distributed in the US.

This beer is warm, soft feeling yet powerful in taste.

Take the time to find one every year.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2004 02:51:06 | More by dougnboston

6string

Germany

4.85/5  rDev +21.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Hands down, the best Christmas brew I've had so far in my quest for good beer. My wife first picked one up for me in France, so when we made a 2nd trip, I picked up two more bottles (and continue to regret not buying more!).

Poured in my Delirium glass, mild head, poured a dark but clean (no sediment) appearance. Hints of chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, a real Christmas aroma, if you will. The taste was very smooth rich, leaving hints of caramel, coffee and chocolate. No bitter aftertaste, and you can feel the 10% but there's no aggressive attack. My first bottle cooled in the fridge just over two hours and was nice and frosty when it came out. I let it warm a few minutes before I really dove in!

I know 5's are supposed to be rare, but I truly believe, personally, that for me this beer could not be improved. It's an awesome beer, I'd easily buy a case to keep on hand for friend and family occasions.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2012 20:14:06 | More by 6string

jenjenbelanger

Massachusetts

4.85/5  rDev +21.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This is my very first review so please bear with me! I will get better at this!! Had this beer on draft just before Christmas at my local pub. Served in a snifter. Smell extremely aromatic. Taste Heavenly. Definately a holiday beer with many complex spices and fruit flavors. Heavy, full bodied, nothing missing in this beer. One glass per sitting for me. Loved this beer so much I searched high and low to buy some for my Christmas Eve party. Needless to say, everyone wanted more and it can't be found!!! Next year I will buy a case and HIDE IT!

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2008 01:15:25 | More by jenjenbelanger

airlift

Massachusetts

4.9/5  rDev +23.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I visited my family in Germany early september. took a trip to Belgian beer weekend in Brussels. My son and I were tasting for about 3 hrs. I'm 63, think of myself as one who enjoys good microbrews,never wrote a review before now so, I really can't get "descriptive" in my review. I will tell you this.After tasting many the only one that really sticks in my mind is the Gouden carolus noel/ christmas. It had a deep dark and heavy fruit bread flavor. I beleive the Alc. was 10.5 I hope I hope can find it at home in MA.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2011 19:25:28 | More by airlift