Gouden Carolus Cuvée Van De Keizer Imperial Dark
Brouwerij Het Anker

Gouden Carolus Cuvée Van De Keizer Imperial DarkGouden Carolus Cuvée Van De Keizer Imperial Dark
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From:
Brouwerij Het Anker
 
Belgium
Style:
Belgian Dark Strong Ale
Ranked #2
ABV:
11%
Score:
96
Ranked #1,148
Avg:
4.31 | pDev: 10.21%
Reviews:
945
Ratings:
2,005
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 10, 2024
Added:
Nov 03, 2002
Wants:
  284
Gots:
  372
Formerly Gouden Carolus Cuvée Van De Keizer Blauw.

Every year on the 24th of February, we celebrate the birth of Charles Quint. Therefore we brew a special beer in limited edition called Gouden Carolus Cuvée van de Keizer Imperial Dark (‘Grand Cru of the Emperor’).

This exceptional ale ages well, developing a refined complexity and intense aromas. With powerful notes of roasted malts, caramel and plums, its surprisingly soft and fruity aroma combines a warm roundness with a refreshing taste.

It is imperially crowned with a cork so it can be preserved for a long period of time at a constant cellar temperature of 12° C (54°F). An imperial beer to cherish and enjoy in moderation.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Doomcifer:
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Rated by Doomcifer from Rhode Island

4.16/5  rDev -3.5%

Aug 16, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of BJB13
Reviewed by BJB13 from Maryland

4.56/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
750 ml caged and corked bottle poured into a Tulip.
2021 vintage

A syrupy vinous aroma with notes of cucumber (weird, I know) erupt from the bottle as it is uncorked. Pouring dark cola brown it developes a persistent two finger khaki head that leaves good amounts of intricate lace while showing its alcohol content on the sides of the glass. After the pour the nose is less vinous and more bourbon barrel-like with malty sweet indicating plum, currant, and sugary lactose aromas. Hints of tobacco and leather come on the second pour. Flavor is sweet, rich and has some cola qualities. Chocolate malt, plum, candied sugars, very chocolate covered berry/cherry dessert-like. Bourbon and tobacco come with the minor alcohol bite. It only dries slightly by the finish and there is almost no bitterness. The aftertaste is malty and a little sweet. Creamy and silky smooth feel overall, with a light crispness on the first pour. The medium-full body shifts slightly to a watery feel by the end of each pour. Somewhat warming but not as much as you’d expect for 11% ABV.

While being in danger of becoming too sweet to my palate, it never did and at no time was this a chore to drink during the entire 750 ml bottle. I was never bored with it. Very good.
Mar 10, 2024
Photo of janubio
Reviewed by janubio from Spain

5/5  rDev +16%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
75 cl. corked bottle from Más que Cervezas, served at home in a trappist glass.
Brown colour, medium head with long retention, average lacing.
Aroma of cherries, plums, caramel, belgian yeast, licorice, cloves, brown sugar, cinnamon, molasses...
Full body, creamy mouthfeel, average carbonation. Sweet boozy finish.
Taste follows the aroma.
A beast.
Nov 06, 2023
Photo of Ushouldbeworkinh
Reviewed by Ushouldbeworkinh from England

4.53/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Very deep ruby colour with a tan head. Absolutely beautiful, looks like a stout without enough light. Smells is exactly what I hoped for, spicy, dark fruit, malt sweetness. Taste is impressively the same. Feel is smooth even with fizziness. Having now had the west 12, this is closest I E had to that beer. Wonderful dark strong, even quad beer.
Oct 15, 2023
Photo of GrumpyGas
Reviewed by GrumpyGas from Illinois

4.04/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Wow!
Draft pour at first glance looks dull, but glows a clear ruby body when backlit and barely holds any foam save for an edge-hugging ring. Sheets of lacing race back to the ring after agitation leaving random artistic lacing.

Boozy, fruity aroma dominates roasted malts.

Flavor Is a fine melange of dark stone fruits, chocolate, booze, brown sugar, and candied fruit.

Full mouthfeel enjoys subtle carbonation to barely coat the palate and clears clean after a brief alcohol reminder.

Overall, clearly meant for the emperor, wherever he/she is.
Oct 04, 2023
 
Rated: 4.41 by not2quick from Missouri

Sep 29, 2023
 
Rated: 4.34 by smi69 from New York

Jul 15, 2023
Photo of Sandis
Reviewed by Sandis from Minnesota

4.08/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a bottle into a snifter. Lightly sweet. Some brown sugar, fruit and berry. Medium body and carbonation. Great beer to step away from stouts and IPA for an evening.
May 20, 2023
 
Rated: 4.44 by Jakepitbull from New York

May 06, 2023
Photo of tobelerone
Reviewed by tobelerone from New Jersey

4.3/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Can’t believe I haven’t rated this classic before. I’ve definitely had it in the past but not for years so I picked up a nicely priced (10.99) corked and caged 750, bottled in 2021.

This beer looks phenomenal, with a very dark brown body (approaching black) and a tan head of tightly clustered bubbles that retains strongly and leaves creamy sheeting on the inside of the glass. The smooth fullness of the body, with moderate carbonation, is also a very high point. I was actually surprised at the restrained effervescence as for me it’s dead on and lively without getting too spritzy which I’ve encounter with many other Belgian beers. I actually uncorked this near the sink to be on the safe side but no issues whatsoever there.

Nose is the weaker side of this beer, nothing bad here but simply understated and mild, hints of dark chocolate, bready malt, restrained alcohol, raisin. On the palate the alcohol is again present but contained in a very pleasant way, sweet dark fruit and chocolate predominant, subtler vinous qualities and suggestion of baking spices. Unfolds gradually revealing depths of flavor as it warms.

What a treat. I love to mix it up with an old school European classic now and then and this fit the bill fantastically on a chilly early spring evening.
Apr 09, 2023
 
Rated: 3.97 by Pro_Magnon from Texas

Mar 07, 2023
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Rated by blauw from Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +16%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Best beer in the world, and there are so many awesome competitors (thank goodness)
Mar 07, 2023
 
Rated: 4.75 by RamonaBeer from California

Jan 03, 2023
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Reviewed by ChainGangGuy from Georgia

4.22/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Appearance: Served up an opaque, mahogany-toned body dressed with a persistent, lofty, beige head with a lovely-looking sheets of lacing on the way down.

Smell: Spiced plum-infused port with a gooey brown sugar glaze atop a dark pumpernickel breadiness garnished with a sliver of bitter orange.

Taste: Broiled brown sugar and treacle with a dash of chocolate powder - soundly sweet. Dark bready, toasted quality. A hint of vanilla with spicy touches of cinnamon, mace and pepper aided by the firm, mature, guiding hands of the warming alcohol presence. Dark fruitiness accented with some berry notes. Rich, slightly sweet finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Medium carbonation. It's just sticky enough and lush enough.

Overall: Hearty, nicely complex; makes for a solid sipper.
Dec 14, 2022
Photo of MikeWard
Reviewed by MikeWard from Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
750ml bottle into a teku. 2021 release, a year old.

Looks very nice. Almost black body, deep red wine when held up to the light. Decent tan head, replenishes well with each pour. Does shrink to a ring and faint covering, great lacing.

Sweet caramel aroma, lots of dark skinned fruit a touch of alcohol.

On tasting, first off, it's certainly on the sweet side, caramel and boiled candy. However, there are enough nuances to cut through this. Dark skin fruit, warming, and more to come in the finish.

Mouth a little foamy, close to full. Finish very complex. Sweet caramel to be sure, but the warmth, fruit, dryness, even a light bitter touch are all enjoyed.

Overall, a thoughtfully well made beer. Thanks to Het Anker for putting this out every year for us to enjoy.
Nov 07, 2022
Photo of Brutaltruth
Reviewed by Brutaltruth from Ohio

4.42/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
From the 750ml bottle in a snifter. This awesome brew pours a dark
and muddled brown with ruby highlights and a fantastic head of khaki
foam that settles to a thick ring, thick clumping layer, and sports exceptional
lacing. Nose of date, plum, fig, mulled prune, subtle alcohol ester notes, and
sweet Belgian candy sugars / brown sugar. Flavors hit the mark with plum,
fig, date, stewed prune, cola notes, dark cherry, cranberry, dark sweet bread,
and dark Belgian candy sugars. Nice mouth feel; medium body, medium light
carbonation that is nicely effervescent yet soft, and a sweet yet balanced
finish that is all and all perfect.

Overall----If I had to have just one brew all the time, this one would be in
the running! Exceptional as always!

Cheers
Oct 29, 2022
 
Rated: 4.75 by CitizenGrain from Georgia

Oct 04, 2022
 
Rated: 4.7 by BeardedWalrus from North Carolina

Sep 24, 2022
 
Rated: 4.35 by Tmappin from Canada (NS)

Aug 22, 2022
Photo of BigIronH
Reviewed by BigIronH from Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a deep brown with a finger of mocha head. Nose is brown sugar, molasses, alcohol bite, and toasted malt. Taste follows suit with deep undertones of black cherry and prunes. Feel is full and thick. Overall, well above average. Best beer I’ve had in a while.
Jun 29, 2022
Gouden Carolus Cuvée Van De Keizer Imperial Dark from Brouwerij Het Anker
Beer rating: 96 out of 100 with 2005 ratings