Gouden Carolus Noël / Christmas - Brouwerij Het Anker

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

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

Appearance: Dark, murky amber brown brew, poured into a Gouden Carolus chalice. Tightly beaded off white head and leaves a bit of lace.

Smell: Some hops, licorice, Christmas spices. All are quite apparent in a fairly strong aroma.

Taste: Decidedly malty, with some brown sugar, date and fig tones. Aniseed like spice. Black licorice is also a dominant flavor coupled with the spices.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, also has a lingering spicy finish and the flavors stick with you.

Drinkability: A warming winter offering from Gouden Carolus. The black licorice is a love it or hate it thing, and is the main flavor in the beer. Would go nice with some gingerbread cookies.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2010 17:41:56 | More by Stinkypuss

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

gford217

Georgia

4.13/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2008 750 mL bottle poured into a goblet.

Pours a clear copper topped by a one-finger creamy head that lingers as a small cap for a few minutes and leaves good lacing.

The aroma is fairly subtle and mostly sweet caramel malts and candi sugar. There are hints of spices but not much and certainly less prominent than the alcohol whiffs I got.

The taste amps up the spices a bit with a definite peppery finish. The sweetness of the candi sugar and dark fruits are dominant up until the finish where the peppers and alcohol are more detectable.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied and very smooth with decent carbonation. It's sticky sweet on the palate with the peppers tickling the tongue at the end.

This is one of the better Belgian holiday ales I've had, mainly because I actually enjoyed having that slightly peppery finish which differentiated it from a normal BSDA. Tasty.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2008 23:49:25 | More by gford217

scruffwhor

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750ml bottle. Allowed this beer a few months in my cellar before opening.

Appearance- Yielded a spritzy head with bad retention but very good lacing consistant throughout the beer. Color was a russett, ruby, amber, dried blood color.

Smell- Bananas hit the snoot pretty hard with some tart red apples and sweet licorice to balance the chiquita onslaught.

Taste- This brew starts with bananas and then leads into some candied apples and caramel. The middle follows seemlessly with black licorice and slightly toasted malt. The finish is a tart yet sweet apple brandy.

Mouthfeel- Good carbonation and a pretty light body make this beer very enjoyable. It is nice to notice the flavors change with each degree rise in temperature. The licorice flavor becomes more prevalent as the bheer warms.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2006 02:05:09 | More by scruffwhor

stcules

Italy

3.23/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Black color, almost no reflexes. One finger of beige foam.
In the smell candy sugar, sugary. And malt.
Better taste, with candy sugar, maltiness, molasses. Fruity note (gooseberry). Sweet, spicy, christmas- like. Marzipan.
Alcohol well hidden, good body.
Warming aftertaste, very malty, with marzipan.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2010 18:15:29 | More by stcules

TheLongBeachBum

California

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

Presentation: Classic looking 750ml brown glass bottle, tall dark and handsome with a very nice looking colorful label that invited me to pick this one up, its looks really classy, the dark black label, gold lettering and a lovely colorful Xmas scene, slightly different label to tat shown in the BA avatar. Thumbed cork is restrained in an all black steel wire & flat cap cage, the black flat cap has the Het Anker Coat of Arms in gold, the cork is also imprinted with this, which adds to the quality presentation. A small black paper neck label chokes the bulbous bottle top and just has a miniature version of the main neck label. The main black & gold label covers 270° of the circumference of the bottles body; apart from the colorful Xmas scene it includes information on the beer to the left and the importer to the right. Listed as Alc. 10% Vol. Excellent high quality presentation all round.

Appearance: I poured this into a freshly cleaned and rinsed Duvel Goblet. Immediately this poured it looked mightily impressive. A lovely smooth headed quickly but carefully from the controlled pour. Light tan brown it rested high in the glass. The body was a dark coppery brown with some ruby hints when artificially lit. Clear at first, only the last top-up introduced some of the sedimentary yeast, but I really didn’t care, it looked fantastic in the Duvel Goblet. Head remains throughout but slowly rescinds in depth, lacing is awesome.

Nose: Immediately as the cork came out, there was a strong whiff of liquorice at my desk. Instantly recognized, I love liquorice too….but once poured the nose developed a more complex character. Alcoholic malts, some anise bitterness, dark fruits, dates, plums, figs and brown sugar all help to create a beautifully enticing aroma. Superb!

Taste: Polished black liquorice underlies the thick carpet like entrance of malts and alcohol fill the entrance hallway and invites you to come in with a cheeky yet irresistible charm. I want to take the Stairs and get straight into the bedroom with this one! Sweetish malts at first, the alcohol acts as a solvent to deliver more liquorice again, figs and dark fruits with some peppery spices. Warming on the throat during the swallow, this is a real belly warmer once ingested. Has a dry alcohol warming liquorice finish that is a little raw at times.

Mouthfeel: Incredibly smooth, yet the alcohol adds some raw power to the feel in the finish. Even so, this leaves a luxurious Axminster Shagpile feel on the tongue as you sink into this as you would a waterbed. Solid yet controlled and finely dispersed carbonation give yet more body. Thick and fruity with a very Port like presence, an easy 4.5.

Drinkability: Well, I had the 750ml for a while, a phone call or two interrupted me, but yet I still managed to slowly sip and drink this one throughout the night.

Overall: Superb, excellent value for money Christmas Ale from Belgium and definitely worth picking some up for the Cellar, I suspect a year will take a little off of the alcoholic edge that it displays right now. Powerful and Fruity right now but I’m sure this will mellow into a beautifully smooth mature monster with 12 months cellaring under the belt.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2004 00:42:26 | More by TheLongBeachBum

jrallen34

Illinois

3.33/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I drank this from a tap at the Map Room into a chalice.

The beer pours dark brown with a light tan decent retention and lacing.

The aroma is light with a little spice, same thing with the taste.

The feel is ok, the drinkability is limited.

Overall, not a great the feel is to light, the taste is light and too much spice.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2010 19:34:58 | More by jrallen34

cokes

Wisconsin

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

Ruby-glazed brown under a foam tan dome of slow departure.
Nose ripe with raspberries and plums, cut by cinnamon and nutmeg, and carried through with a port alcohol essence.
Begins quite sweet, with candied berries, plum, and figs. Spicing is ever-present, but intermitent. Backdrop of cola-syrup (my sole complaint here). Pockets of clove and nutmeg. Cinnamon is fairly subdued, but may be the most consistently visable of the trio. Liquorice and molasses hues gain prominance as this gains temperature. As it reaches room temp, a persuasive mocha note it spot-lit. The finish is Noble and light herb bittered. But hopping is of little regard here. Some mellow brandy alcohol ebbs are noticed late, but the strength is mystically hidden for the most part.
A full bodied brew, given levity by its airiness. Very drinkable. Though not necessarily quickly.
A good one here.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2004 21:53:16 | More by cokes

Tone

Missouri

3.8/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear, dark brown color. 3/4 inch head of an off-white color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of mint, spice, slight hop, sweet malt, and slight licorice. Fits the style of a Belgian Strong Dark Ale. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of spice, slight sweet malt, cream, licorice, and hint of yeast. Overall, an interesting beer - good appearance, aroma, and blend.

Serving type: on-tap

01-05-2011 02:18:36 | More by Tone

beertunes

Washington

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

Poured in 10oz glass and shared with some friends. Poured a clean, clear reddish mahogany with a tall fluffy tan head that had very good retention and surprisingly light lacing.

The aroma was a very pleasing blend of malt, yeast and spices.The taste didn't have as much of a yeast taste, but the solid malt foundation supports the spiciness nicely.

The body was a bit lighter than I expected, but was very crisp with a dry finish. Drinkability was excellent, I may go grab a couple more bottles of this.

Overall, a very nice beer. Worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2010 00:55:03 | More by beertunes

DefenCorps

Oregon

3.65/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle, best by 3rd August 2010. I bought this at Chevy Chase back in 2008 IIRC.

Pouring a very dark brown, black almost, with reddish brown highlights, this beer is capped with a dense, light brown head with excellent retention and very nice lacing. The nose is a spice bomb. A blend of mace, nutmeg and anise, with some eucalyptus, cola, mildly burnt sugar, this is a little too spiced for my liking. The cola notes here bring to mind discount sodas. Alcohol is reasonably well hidden. In addition, there's quite a bit of dark fruit present, with prunes and figs.

The palate opens with the mildly burnt sugar and cola being most noticeable, with the spices following. Again, the dominant notes are mace and nutmeg, with a little bit of clove and cinnamon thrown in. The burnt sugar does pair well with the fruity notes, making this rather dessert-like.The mid-palate is moderately sweet, with buckwheat honey, more cola and a mildly minty alcohol note. A little sweet yet drying on the finish with lingering burnt sugar, cola and mace, this beer is medium bodied and has a nice, creamy carbonation. One thing I haven't mentioned yet is the yeast, which adds a mildly bubblegum-like flavor. The flavors here are nice, but really, not quite for my palate. Recommended, this is one of those beers where the whole is better than the sum of the parts (and hence, my overall score of 4 despite the S/T/M being 3.5s)

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 01:18:52 | More by DefenCorps

bark

Sweden

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

Best before “09.08.08”, I’ll guess that I have stored this bottle in my larder for one or two years.

The hazy liquid is deep amber-brown; the enormous beige compact foam sinks slowly while making a loud fizzing sound and leaving massive lacing.

The strong smell is drier and more hoppy than expected. Rich, spicy wine-like flavours hits the nose; matured sherry, fresh apricots, alcohol (quite a lot of it, actually), nutmeg, sweet raisins, hazelnuts and almonds and a touch of banana peels.

The first sip is sweet and mild like strawberry syrup, but then an alcoholic bomb explodes in my mouth: Bittersweet matured notes like red apples, peach, treacle, malt vinegar, caraway… The lasting aftertaste is sweet with matured notes of old strong wine and some minerals (a hint of iodine).

The carbonation is medium strong with lots and lots of minimal tickling bubbles. The liquid is smooth and a little bit thick.

Once again I must admit that this is a grand beer indeed. A little less carbonation and alcohol and it would have been perfect.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2007 21:19:02 | More by bark

francisweizen

Australia

3.73/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This belgian beer was hardcore. This poured a nice dark golden/amber colour with a huge cap of white foam. The aromas were of alcohol, and were medicinal and spicy. The taste was spicy with a strange after-taste. The mouthfeel was just right and the drinkability was decent. This was an interesting belgian x-mas beer to say the least!

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2003 15:16:19 | More by francisweizen

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

3.98/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2 oz bottle poured into a mini Tripel Karmeliet tulip. 10% ABV, 03/08/10 printed on the label.

Thanks to bnieman for this brew!

A - The brew pours a dark brown, almost impossible to see through. Held up to light it's a hazed-over dark mahogany color. A nice tan head springs up and lowers slowly but with very little lace left over, especially for a Belgian.

S - Notes of pine and juniper add spice to the otherwise low nose. Deep malts and dark candi-sugar present sweetness but it doesn't stand out big. Molasses and maple are suggested too. Smooth and round, Belgian yeast and dark fruit esters are present as well but low. The heavy but low aroma lets out fig and plum as it warms.

T - Mild spicy esters give Nöel a nice little kick. Notes of pine and juniper from the nose with fig and plum bring out good characteristics. The roasted chocolate malt never gets bitter in part to the Belgian dark candi sugar. Lingering coffee flavor on the finish.

M - Medium-full bodied and smooth with a touch of crisper carbonation through the finish. Nöel has a mild spice and balanced sweetness that lingers.

D - The alcohol is very well hidden in this brew. While mild, the spice and fruit aspects really make Nöel a nice holiday brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2011 03:36:22 | More by BeerFMAndy

smakawhat

Maryland

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

Poured from a 2009 9 9 stamped bottle resembling a nice dark dark brown giving off a great dark mahogony hue around edges, big head and retention.

Fascinating smell of chewy licorice and a floral/perfume quality. Sometimes it even smells like a candied rose or something. Hints of nutmeg, cinnamon, and dark spices.

Great sweet nutmeg and hard candy palate with a great mouthfeel that seems perfectly balance between body (not wet or syrupy) and afterfinish that is noticeable but not overpowering. Highly alcohol masked as well for 10.5

Drinkability is very desirable, but truly a Christmas beer. I can't see myself having this in July when it's 90 degrees out of course ;) but... why would you want to ;)

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2010 16:52:44 | More by smakawhat

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

4.2/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml corked and caged bottle poured into corsendonk chalice on aug24 2009

A dark brownish amber when held up too light, fast falling three finger head that leaves a fair amount of lace from nothing more then a film of bubbles

S lots of spices and over-ripe banana, i smell booze but not the 10.5% i see on the bottle.

T different but good, as it smells but much more. I get some brown sugar/caramel, dark fruits and licorice. The booze i could smell is there but not as strong. Interesting indeed

M not too thick, good carbonation about what i hoped for

D overall i was happy with this beer, pretty easy too drink and well worth trying

This one kept me interested, i found myself taking sip after sip trying too place each taste. although i found it unusual, i must admit it grew on me as i got too know it.

(The third time I've had to edit this review before i finished the bottle) as it warms the flavors really come through and add to its complexity. Please don't drink this cold!!

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2009 06:23:16 | More by wordemupg

champ103

Texas

3.73/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

A: Pours a dark mahogany color. A large beige head forms on first pour. Good retention, and lots of sticky spiderweb looking lace down my chalice.
S: A sweet and fruity aroma. Dried dark fruits. A dry wood aroma. Plenty of alcohol burn from the start.
T: Follows the nose. Sweet malt and dark fruits. A bit on the dry side.
M/D: A full body with a moderate level of carbonation. After a quick snap on the tongue, a good creaminess follows. The alcohol shows a bit to much for me. As it warms the alcohol comes out even more.

An enjoyable beer. I can tastes every bit of the 10.5% ABV. Similar to Cuvee Van De Keizer. Fans of that beer (like me) will enjoy this, but this seems to lack some of the complexities that Van De Keizer has.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2009 01:22:06 | More by champ103

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

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

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

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

First beer of my Beer Nutz flight 5oz pour was $2.75

A - Very dark hazy brown with some tan colored head. Lacing is and head is nice on this one.

S - Smells of typical Belgium with dark fruits, mostly dried cherries, and some candied sugars with yeast notes.

T - Pretty balanced the ABV is kind of notable. The dried cherry aspect gives it a nice tartness which I enjoyed next to mild burnt sugars and other fruits.

M - Medium to heavy this one was a sipper for sure.

Overall not one of the best Belgium's I had on tap, sweet for sure but ABV was kind of noticeable.

Serving type: on-tap

01-13-2012 19:21:35 | More by DrDemento456

merlin48

Kentucky

3.7/5  rDev -7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

750 ml, corked and caged bottle with attractive winter scene art on the label, as shown in the pic. Pours a clear, ruby chestnut body with a thick and creamy tan head that rises to one inch in height in my goblet. Excellent retention and lots of clingly patch lace.
Aroma begins very fruity, with overripe bananas and dark fruits. Prunes, figs, and currants are picked up by the nose. A prominent note of black licorice is a bit distracting.
Mouthfeel begins with a chewy note of black licorice that seems to stick to the roof of my mouth. Medium to full body with effervescent carbonation.
Taste feautures lots of dark fruit esters. Prunes, figs, and currants mirror the aroma. Bitterness is served up by herbal hops and earthy yeast notes. The dominant flavor, as room temperature is reached, is chewy black licorice and spicy anise. Some clove and cinnamon are also noted. The 10.5 % abv is also noticed, and could have been better concealed.
Overall, a pretty fine winter sipping Belgian strong dark ale, but the black licorice/anise component is somewhat overdone.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2005 11:31:14 | More by merlin48

flagmantho

Washington

4.47/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 330mL bottle into a tulip. My bottle indicates 10% ABV rather than the above-noted 10.5%.

Appearance: deep, rich, hazy brown with one finger of tenacious light tan foam head. Quite attractive.

Smell: sweet, rich & complex dark fruity malt aromas: plum, loose tobacco, cherry, pear; quite a delicious aroma indeed.

Taste: flavor has much of those aforementioned characteristics but is at the same time brighter and mustier. The flavor starts off with a bit of a dusty flatness and then morphs into a brighter (though still understated) tartness at the side of the tongue. Both of these states readily complement and amplify the tasty fruit flavors. I'm loving this brew.

Mouthfeel: plenty of body and an extremely smooth, well-crafted creaminess. An excellent experience.

Drinkability: I've a hard choice here, as it is hard for me to rate something with 10+% ABV as very drinkable. But I love the flavor, so here goes: I would go out of my way to have this beer again.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2010 03:39:53 | More by flagmantho

Jwale73

Rhode Island

3.41/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

11.2oz. bottle served in my Gouden Carolus chalice. Lot number 12071 indicated on the back label. Pours a dull mahogany hue with a consistent, 1.5 inch, light tan head the sizzles and pops as it slowly recedes into a clumpy quarter inch cap. Nose suggests dark fruit, anise and orange Aspergum. Tastes pretty much like it smells - no real surprises here. There's also a slightly oxidized quality that comes out towards the finish. Mouthfeel is light-medium (but closer to light) with an even carbonation that falls just shy of being lively. There's also just a kiss of residual heat that lingers between quaffs as well as a slight acidity. Overall, not a bad example of the style, but not my favorite from this brewer. Not sure what a little age might do to this, but it might be worth laying down a bottle for a year or two.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 00:55:29 | More by Jwale73

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

750ml corked & caged bottle 2008 version. I shared this one with some friends as I thought it would be a chore to kill the whole bottle. Into a snifter.

A-Gouden Carolus Noel pours out a semi thick looking syrup. It has a dark brown to mahogany/copper like color. A very weak head tries it's best to even reach 1/2 of an inch in height but it doesent have the legs to achieve it. Maybe a bad bottle?

S- A whole lot of dark fruits including those in the citrus category. Ripe banana % spicy yeast. Some figs, dates and a lot of prunes in the nose. As it warms some candy like gum comes up as well as spices.

T- Follows the smell with the prunes overshadowing the banana. Some raisins and caramel with a pinch of chocolate. Nutmeg and cinnamon and toasted malts. A lot of sweet sugars with some cherry & licorice in the finish.

M- Light to medium bodied with some carb make this one an easy drinker. This is a little flat at times and could be more lively. A bit of alcohol in the mouth plus some warming effects.

D- At 10.5% this one's a sipper for sure and i'm glad i shared the bottle as I probably would not have finished this alone. Not the best BSDA but worth a shot. The balance of the flavors could improve.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2009 17:35:12 | More by onix1agr

Bierman9

New Hampshire

3.9/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Carolus Noel? Christmas Eve day is close enough, no? ;-) Enjoyed from a 750ml bottle, 10.0% abv listed on the label but no freshness dating found. A golden silhouette of 3 horses (as opposed to reindeer) pulls a small sleigh with a jolly Sinter Klaas within over a snow-bedecked hamlet.

Pours a lovely, deep amber, ruby color into the chalice. Carbo is sporadic and slow, rising towards a thin, fine, light tan head. A little bit of lacing is left within, though not a whole lot. The biers color, though, is gorgeous! Aroma lies a bit between a combo of some tropical fruit and dark fruit. A touch candyish, as well, though mild overall. A smidge of prickliness makes a lightning-quick attack on the palate, though it does little damage to the enjoyment. Body is solidly medium; no more, no less.

Flavor is lightly sweet with, again, a candy-like touch and almost a hint of brown sugar (almost). Most noticeable here is the fruity character. Similar to the aroma, it shows some bits of figs, a little grapiness, and a small share of green apple. It's a bit powdery and dry in the finish. A 10.0% abv? Where? Hardly felt a thing... Pretty tasty, overall. Not a world-beater, but still satisfying.

Prosit!!

overall: 3.9
appearance: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | mouthfeel: 4 | drinkability: 4

952

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2006 18:51:19 | More by Bierman9