Gouden Carolus Classic
Brouwerij Het Anker

Gouden Carolus ClassicGouden Carolus Classic
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From:
Brouwerij Het Anker
 
Belgium
Style:
Belgian Dark Strong Ale
Ranked #29
ABV:
8.5%
Score:
92
Ranked #5,732
Avg:
4.11 | pDev: 10.22%
Reviews:
438
Ratings:
958
Status:
Active
Rated:
Dec 04, 2023
Added:
Jun 13, 2002
Wants:
  81
Gots:
  168
Gouden Carolus Classic, the ‘Grand Imperial Beer’ from Mechelen, is brewed with dark, very balanced dosed caramel and aromatic malts. This unique beer combines the warmth of wine and the freshness of beer. This makes it very suitable in combination with culinary specialties such as stews, pâtés, ripened or strong cheeses.

Elected Worlds’ Best Dark Beer (World Beer Awards 2012).
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by kaneel:
Photo of kaneel
Rated by kaneel from England

3.25/5  rDev -20.9%

Jun 16, 2012
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.26 by ShadowVolt from Japan

Dec 04, 2023
 
Rated: 3.99 by SierraFlight from Virginia

Oct 12, 2023
Photo of RaulMondesi
Reviewed by RaulMondesi from California

4.1/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
It’s good. Putting the word “classic” on it may be a stretch like a race horse winning down one. But I suppose that’s ok. It’s not a Beatles beer - not even Rolling Stones who should have called it quits long ago. Again, I’ll let it slide. Maybe it’s because right now I’m with my french family in Neuf-Berquin and doing French things…

Live it up, my children. If you try, it be worth it.
Sep 06, 2023
 
Rated: 4.58 by aceofsuds from Portugal

Aug 08, 2023
 
Rated: 3.75 by Ushouldbeworkinh from England

Jun 05, 2023
 
Rated: 4.75 by myterpsr1 from Maryland

Apr 10, 2023
 
Rated: 4.52 by rale from France

Mar 22, 2023
 
Rated: 4.25 by BeerInspector from Delaware

Mar 16, 2023
 
Rated: 4.38 by SViterileroux74 from Texas

Mar 15, 2023
Photo of aleigator
Reviewed by aleigator from Germany

2.7/5  rDev -34.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
Pours a hazelnut brown color with a smaller, bubbly beige head atop.

Smells of candied apples, toffee and creme brûlée among a lighter, noble hoppiness.

Has a light mouthfeel with a very pronounced, almost harsh appearing mineralic effervescence.

Tastes of toffee, bakers chocolate and melting milk chocolate, together with chunks of caramel and sweet molasses. This sweet foundation gets a little elevated by a bubbly, stony effervescence, setting a somehow working balance in this. Finishes a little nutty with rock sugar and pretty much nothing else to speak of.

This is too sweet and one dimensional for my personal taste, with its mouthfeel not being overly pleasant as well.
Feb 18, 2023
Photo of AzfromOz
Reviewed by AzfromOz from Australia

3.26/5  rDev -20.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Purchased at Purvis Beer in March 2022. Drunk in February 2023.

L: Scarlett brown in the glass, with ruby highlights around the edges. A rim of stained-teeth-white foam clings to the edge of the glass. Some carbonation can be seen near the head. Let's be honest, this is not a pretty beer.

S: Minerally blackcurrant and grape must. Light, sweet malty notes. There's not a lot to excite me here either.

T: Taste is mild, sweet, chalky cherry, nudging towards that Doctor Pepper/cough medicine end of the spectrum. There's some brown sugar and dried currants and raisins in there too. The 8.5% ABV is hidden very well, and the candy-like nature of the taste means this could be drunk quickly on a hot day. This could be very dangerous, but the overall sweetness of the beer probably precludes it being drunk in bulk.

M: Mouthfeel is smooth, with the chalky sensation I talked about in the taste also coming through.

O: This beer rises to no great heights. The sweetness is not offset by an alcoholic kick nor by carbonation, lending a chalky, almost flat nature to the beer. There is nothing offensive about the beer, but I can't see myself reaching for another one if other Belgian offerings were on the scene.

Cheers!
#196
Feb 18, 2023
 
Rated: 4.07 by Sphagnicola from Belgium

Jan 12, 2023
 
Rated: 4.75 by mamaraza from Texas

Dec 22, 2022
Photo of guidodewaal
Reviewed by guidodewaal from Netherlands

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dark red with creamy foam. Smells sweet and malty. Taste: Red fruit, caramel, vanilla with a bit of coffee. Very well balanced, making the alcohol almost not traceable. Easy to drink and absolutely delicious.
Nov 09, 2022
 
Rated: 4 by marcrech from Brazil

Oct 07, 2022
 
Rated: 3.94 by zknight from Korea (South)

Feb 19, 2022
Photo of KotR
Reviewed by KotR from Belgium

4.66/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Excellent beer for the colder time of the year to enjoy, by an open fire.
Drink slowly, best with friends.
Could be used for cooking, but what a waste. So much better when drunk.
Raisins, caramel, somewhat bitter but nice aftertaste, full. Serve not too cold.
Dec 14, 2021
 
Rated: 4.5 by doctorgary from New York

Dec 12, 2021
Photo of mothman
Reviewed by mothman from Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottle. Khaki head with lace. Copper color. Clear.

Raisins, plums, figs, caramel, toffee, cocoa. Smooth, warming, soft. Very complex, very enjoyable. Full bodied.
Aug 14, 2021
Gouden Carolus Classic from Brouwerij Het Anker
Beer rating: 92 out of 100 with 958 ratings