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Gouden Carolus Noël / Christmas
Brouwerij Het Anker
- From:
- Brouwerij Het Anker
- Belgium
- Style:
- Belgian Dark Strong Ale
Ranked #77 - ABV:
- 10.5%
- Score:
- 88
Ranked #12,934 - Avg:
- 3.95 | pDev: 14.94%
- Reviews:
- 544
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Feb 27, 2024
- Added:
- Nov 24, 2002
- Wants:
- 42
- Gots:
- 121
For more than 35 years we had to miss the Christmas beer but in 2002 the tradition was restored with Gouden Carolus Christmas. It’s a strong, dark ruby red beer with character and contains an alcohol percentage of 10.5 % alc.vol. Brewed in August, the beer rests a few months to reach an optimal balance. Three kinds of hops and 6 different kinds of herbs and spices define the rich taste of this Christmas beer. Top-class!
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Estarrio:
Reviewed by Estarrio from Massachusetts
4.37/5 rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
4.37/5 rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Holiday 2006 bottle
Poured a dark, copper brown with reddish tones. A slow pour into my Chimay glass produced a full, tan colored head, which faded into silky lacings.
This is a very aromatic brew. A sweet malt background is overcome by dark fruit, raisin, plum and red grapes. There is a nice hint of yeast in the background with a liberal amount of esters. I'm also sensing some clove and a bit of spicy alcohol.
This is a great tasting brew with a very complex flavor profile. Thick, sweet malt, dark fruity esters, raisin, tart cherry, acidic plum juice, figs, earthy yeast funk, chocolate and caramel render this a complex beer. The high alcohol percentage is notable in the warming and in the spicy aftertaste. At 10.5% this brew packs a hot bite that is balanced by the sweet fruit flavor.
Possessing a full-bodied palate with an almost creamy carbonation feel, this brew is a pleasure on the mouth. Drinkability is only slightly hindered by the noticeably high alcohol content.
What an amazing Christmas brew! I could easily drink this one year round. The flavors really come out at room temp but a slight chill will help mask the alcohol content.
Dec 24, 2006Poured a dark, copper brown with reddish tones. A slow pour into my Chimay glass produced a full, tan colored head, which faded into silky lacings.
This is a very aromatic brew. A sweet malt background is overcome by dark fruit, raisin, plum and red grapes. There is a nice hint of yeast in the background with a liberal amount of esters. I'm also sensing some clove and a bit of spicy alcohol.
This is a great tasting brew with a very complex flavor profile. Thick, sweet malt, dark fruity esters, raisin, tart cherry, acidic plum juice, figs, earthy yeast funk, chocolate and caramel render this a complex beer. The high alcohol percentage is notable in the warming and in the spicy aftertaste. At 10.5% this brew packs a hot bite that is balanced by the sweet fruit flavor.
Possessing a full-bodied palate with an almost creamy carbonation feel, this brew is a pleasure on the mouth. Drinkability is only slightly hindered by the noticeably high alcohol content.
What an amazing Christmas brew! I could easily drink this one year round. The flavors really come out at room temp but a slight chill will help mask the alcohol content.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois
4.25/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I had this on draft 12/21/23 @ the Hopleaf.
Opaque brown/black appearance.
Big dark tan head; a thick curtain of tree-rung lacing remained.
Spruce, cream & faint candle wax notes in the nose.
Creamy, medium-thick mouthfeel.
Cream & plum flavors; mild spruce notes on the finish. No booze heat present.
Balanced, tasty Christmas vibes. I'd have another!
Dec 28, 2023Opaque brown/black appearance.
Big dark tan head; a thick curtain of tree-rung lacing remained.
Spruce, cream & faint candle wax notes in the nose.
Creamy, medium-thick mouthfeel.
Cream & plum flavors; mild spruce notes on the finish. No booze heat present.
Balanced, tasty Christmas vibes. I'd have another!
Reviewed by thehyperduck from Canada (ON)
4.36/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.36/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
330 mL bottle from the LCBO; best before Sep 26 2025 and served barely chilled. Listed at an even 10%.
Pours a deep, clear chestnut brown colour with brilliant ruby-red hues visible when held to a light; the half-inch of frothy, soapy, light tan-coloured head situated atop lasts for two minutes or so. A tight collar and patchy film stay upon the surface, with scant flecks of lace distributed across the glass - looks normal for a Belgian dark ale. Spicy aromas of anise/black licorice, clove and sarsaparilla, paired with hints of molasses, caramelized sugars, raisin & plum, as well as just a hint of nutmeg. The alcohol is noticeable, but combines very well with the other components.
Rich, malt-forward and spicy flavour profile, with black licorice/anise displayed prominently right from the get-go. Brown sugar, toffee, rum-drenched fruitcake, plum pudding and dates also come to mind, with clove, treacle & nutmeg. Anise remains strong into the finish, accompanied by dark fruit, brandy and syrupy boozy-sweetness that lasts on into a spicy aftertaste with lingering dark fruit/fruitcake flavours. Full bodied, with assertive carbonation that prickles the palate with each sip, adding a lively mouthfeel to this brew's smooth, fulfilling mouthfeel.
Final Grade: 4.36, a genuine A grade. Gouden Carolus Noël is a fabulous Belgian strong ale - I would love to make this session an annual Christmas tradition, but I suppose that's contingent upon its continued availability in this area. I suspect this bottle would be fine to drink five-plus years from now, but I don't think it's a strong cellaring candidate: its spicy, licorice-laden flavour profile is already outstanding in this (fresh, non-cellared) sample, and so I fear that its aroma/flavour would only deteriorate if stored. If you can't stand anise and/or black licorice then this may not be your cup of tea, but I'd still recommend Noël to anyone who has ever enjoyed a Belgian dark ale. Merry Christmas BA!
Dec 26, 2023Pours a deep, clear chestnut brown colour with brilliant ruby-red hues visible when held to a light; the half-inch of frothy, soapy, light tan-coloured head situated atop lasts for two minutes or so. A tight collar and patchy film stay upon the surface, with scant flecks of lace distributed across the glass - looks normal for a Belgian dark ale. Spicy aromas of anise/black licorice, clove and sarsaparilla, paired with hints of molasses, caramelized sugars, raisin & plum, as well as just a hint of nutmeg. The alcohol is noticeable, but combines very well with the other components.
Rich, malt-forward and spicy flavour profile, with black licorice/anise displayed prominently right from the get-go. Brown sugar, toffee, rum-drenched fruitcake, plum pudding and dates also come to mind, with clove, treacle & nutmeg. Anise remains strong into the finish, accompanied by dark fruit, brandy and syrupy boozy-sweetness that lasts on into a spicy aftertaste with lingering dark fruit/fruitcake flavours. Full bodied, with assertive carbonation that prickles the palate with each sip, adding a lively mouthfeel to this brew's smooth, fulfilling mouthfeel.
Final Grade: 4.36, a genuine A grade. Gouden Carolus Noël is a fabulous Belgian strong ale - I would love to make this session an annual Christmas tradition, but I suppose that's contingent upon its continued availability in this area. I suspect this bottle would be fine to drink five-plus years from now, but I don't think it's a strong cellaring candidate: its spicy, licorice-laden flavour profile is already outstanding in this (fresh, non-cellared) sample, and so I fear that its aroma/flavour would only deteriorate if stored. If you can't stand anise and/or black licorice then this may not be your cup of tea, but I'd still recommend Noël to anyone who has ever enjoyed a Belgian dark ale. Merry Christmas BA!
Reviewed by HoppingMadMonk from New Jersey
4.41/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.41/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Reddish brown appearance .
Medium light carbonation with an above average body.
Aroma is dark fruits,malt, spice,a little citrus peel.
Taste has a mild sweetness,mild mixed dark fruit,spice,malty.
Dec 25, 2023Medium light carbonation with an above average body.
Aroma is dark fruits,malt, spice,a little citrus peel.
Taste has a mild sweetness,mild mixed dark fruit,spice,malty.
Reviewed by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania
4.27/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.27/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
330 ml bottled, dated best by 7/26/2025
Pours a very dark brown, ruby colored highlights when held up to the light. Cream colored head, great head retention. Nice rich dark malt flavors, mildly spiced. Drier finish. Smooth mouthfeel.
Dec 25, 2023Pours a very dark brown, ruby colored highlights when held up to the light. Cream colored head, great head retention. Nice rich dark malt flavors, mildly spiced. Drier finish. Smooth mouthfeel.
Reviewed by mwilbur from Minnesota
4.29/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.29/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Poured from 750 mL bottle into a snifter.
A: Pours a golden brown hue with generous 3+ inch thick tan foam with excellent retention.
S: Fruit Belgian yeast, holiday spice, golden raisin, orange, berries, brown sugar, and licorice.
T: Orange peel, brown sugar, holiday spice (nutmeg, cinnamon, etc), subtle licorice, candied fruit, cocoa, and toasted malt.
M: Light medium body. Soft and creamy feel with slight effervescence. Nicely balanced fruit sweetness and holiday spice.
D: A lovely holiday brew that packs a lot of complexity into it but avoids being too heavy or overbearing.
Dec 12, 2023A: Pours a golden brown hue with generous 3+ inch thick tan foam with excellent retention.
S: Fruit Belgian yeast, holiday spice, golden raisin, orange, berries, brown sugar, and licorice.
T: Orange peel, brown sugar, holiday spice (nutmeg, cinnamon, etc), subtle licorice, candied fruit, cocoa, and toasted malt.
M: Light medium body. Soft and creamy feel with slight effervescence. Nicely balanced fruit sweetness and holiday spice.
D: A lovely holiday brew that packs a lot of complexity into it but avoids being too heavy or overbearing.
Reviewed by MikeWard from Pennsylvania
4.28/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.28/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
750ml bottle into a chalice. 2021 release.
Looks decent enough. Chestnut brown body, small but persistent cream colored head, nice sheet of lacing. Aroma is mostly of licorice with a few mixed spices. Taste follows the nose, but it's incredibly smooth and pleasing. A little clove mixes in. Finish is lightly warming, but seems less than the abv listed. Very good beer.
Oct 10, 2023Looks decent enough. Chestnut brown body, small but persistent cream colored head, nice sheet of lacing. Aroma is mostly of licorice with a few mixed spices. Taste follows the nose, but it's incredibly smooth and pleasing. A little clove mixes in. Finish is lightly warming, but seems less than the abv listed. Very good beer.
Reviewed by Brutaltruth from Ohio
4.18/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.18/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
From the big bottle in a snifter. This excellent brew pours a dark and
muddled red tinged brown with a nice head of khaki foam that settles to
a thick ring, thick clumping layer, and sports some nice lacing. Nose of
candy sugars, cinnamon, orange peel, clove, and dark sweet breaded malts
with touches of dates and figs. Flavors hit their mark with cinnamon, ginger,
nutmeg, clove, orange peel, touches of coriander, and a healthy dose of
dark candy sugar over top dark raisin / date bread. Mouthfeel is medium,
smooth, warming booze, medium light soft carbonation, and a sweet
spiced finish.
Overall---not much to say other than WOW. Love this brewery!
Cheers
Mar 20, 2023muddled red tinged brown with a nice head of khaki foam that settles to
a thick ring, thick clumping layer, and sports some nice lacing. Nose of
candy sugars, cinnamon, orange peel, clove, and dark sweet breaded malts
with touches of dates and figs. Flavors hit their mark with cinnamon, ginger,
nutmeg, clove, orange peel, touches of coriander, and a healthy dose of
dark candy sugar over top dark raisin / date bread. Mouthfeel is medium,
smooth, warming booze, medium light soft carbonation, and a sweet
spiced finish.
Overall---not much to say other than WOW. Love this brewery!
Cheers
Gouden Carolus Noël / Christmas from Brouwerij Het Anker
Beer rating:
88 out of
100 with
975 ratings
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