Gouden Carolus Easter Beer | Brouwerij Het Anker
Brewed by:
Brouwerij Het Anker
Belgium
hetanker.be
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.00%
Availability: Spring
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by paterlodie on 04-29-2005
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Ratings: 236 | Reviews: 118
3.64/5 rDev -9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
2.66/5 rDev -33.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.75
750 ml bottle. The cork is yanked out with only the tiniest of squeaks. The pour is placid, very nearly still. The beer has to be swished around before the smallest bit of fizz makes itself apparent.
Smells like raisins and caramel and alcoholic. Pretty intense, but also pretty one-note.
Tastes a little smoother than the aroma, but the thin and flat body really weighs things down. Tastes like a solid tripel up front: chocolate, heavy yeast, biscuits, and then it just melts away and comes back with some stale fruit and booze at the end. Uneven and not good.
569 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.75
750 ml bottle. The cork is yanked out with only the tiniest of squeaks. The pour is placid, very nearly still. The beer has to be swished around before the smallest bit of fizz makes itself apparent.
Smells like raisins and caramel and alcoholic. Pretty intense, but also pretty one-note.
Tastes a little smoother than the aroma, but the thin and flat body really weighs things down. Tastes like a solid tripel up front: chocolate, heavy yeast, biscuits, and then it just melts away and comes back with some stale fruit and booze at the end. Uneven and not good.
569 characters
3.43/5 rDev -14.5%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
From the rear label: "16/01/2015 15006 10:40"
Appearance: It has a very murky brown appearance that can't be seen through. There is no head and no foam on the surface at all.
Aroma: I get a clear alcohol aroma and what smells like plums. The aroma is reminiscent of plum dumplings. There is a bit of a sweet smelling molasses scent similar to the scent that hits the nose after opening a bag of brown sugar.
Taste: There is a very rich caramel and toasted bread flavor that comes up at first. It has a bit of a nutty pecan-like flavor.
Mouthfeel: It feels pretty lifeless on the palate. There just isn't enough carbonation to bring this heavy beer to life. The texture is smooth. It's easy to drink as the alcohol is not too strong.
Overall: The bottle I got wasn't very well carbonated and it really hampered the drinking experience and the visual appeal of the beer. That aside, the aroma was great and it worked nicely with the flavor of the beer giving it wonderful notes of sweet caramel and nutty bread. I would probably drink it again but I really would hope that the carbonation would be better on the next bottle. If you are willing to take a chance with the carbonation, or don't mind it, then I would recommend the beer.
1,237 characters
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
From the rear label: "16/01/2015 15006 10:40"
Appearance: It has a very murky brown appearance that can't be seen through. There is no head and no foam on the surface at all.
Aroma: I get a clear alcohol aroma and what smells like plums. The aroma is reminiscent of plum dumplings. There is a bit of a sweet smelling molasses scent similar to the scent that hits the nose after opening a bag of brown sugar.
Taste: There is a very rich caramel and toasted bread flavor that comes up at first. It has a bit of a nutty pecan-like flavor.
Mouthfeel: It feels pretty lifeless on the palate. There just isn't enough carbonation to bring this heavy beer to life. The texture is smooth. It's easy to drink as the alcohol is not too strong.
Overall: The bottle I got wasn't very well carbonated and it really hampered the drinking experience and the visual appeal of the beer. That aside, the aroma was great and it worked nicely with the flavor of the beer giving it wonderful notes of sweet caramel and nutty bread. I would probably drink it again but I really would hope that the carbonation would be better on the next bottle. If you are willing to take a chance with the carbonation, or don't mind it, then I would recommend the beer.
1,237 characters
3.26/5 rDev -18.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
I'm generally a fan of the Gouden Carolus beers and this was the first time I spotted their Easter beer. I had to give it a try. I hadn't researched this beer at all so had no idea what to expect. The idea that it was to somehow represent Easter intrigued me.
Minimal head. Light lacing as I drink. Color when held up to a light is a ruby hidden among an autumnal maple leaf. Not much viscosity or carbonation to this beer so it slides down easy and for a 10%+ I hardly noticed - no heat at all.
I don't know if this was the intent but I can see a clear connection to Easter - if you like the black jelly beans. If there were ever a black jelly bean beer, in other words, licorice beer, this is it - the smell and taste. So, if this is your thing you'll love it. If it is possible to be on the fence about black jelly beans I am and the same for this beer.
859 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
I'm generally a fan of the Gouden Carolus beers and this was the first time I spotted their Easter beer. I had to give it a try. I hadn't researched this beer at all so had no idea what to expect. The idea that it was to somehow represent Easter intrigued me.
Minimal head. Light lacing as I drink. Color when held up to a light is a ruby hidden among an autumnal maple leaf. Not much viscosity or carbonation to this beer so it slides down easy and for a 10%+ I hardly noticed - no heat at all.
I don't know if this was the intent but I can see a clear connection to Easter - if you like the black jelly beans. If there were ever a black jelly bean beer, in other words, licorice beer, this is it - the smell and taste. So, if this is your thing you'll love it. If it is possible to be on the fence about black jelly beans I am and the same for this beer.
859 characters
4.1/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dark brown and filtered with a moderate amount of bubbles. Has a slight amber tinge. Topped with 4 fingers of brown tinged white head.
Smells of dark fruits, cherries, raisins and plumbs. Brown sugar and caramel.
Tastes of dark fruits, raisins, cherries, and leather. Its quite a sweet beer, very Abbey style dark Belgian ale.
Thick, syrupy body, highly soda like carbonation.
Got this one over two years ago in Chicago at Whole Foods Market. Cellared for 2 years, I drank it in New Hamburg, ON, after being away in Asia. What a return home! Been waiting for this one. Really solid for the style, typical to the brewer its quite sweet, and this one is dark and Belgiany.
684 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dark brown and filtered with a moderate amount of bubbles. Has a slight amber tinge. Topped with 4 fingers of brown tinged white head.
Smells of dark fruits, cherries, raisins and plumbs. Brown sugar and caramel.
Tastes of dark fruits, raisins, cherries, and leather. Its quite a sweet beer, very Abbey style dark Belgian ale.
Thick, syrupy body, highly soda like carbonation.
Got this one over two years ago in Chicago at Whole Foods Market. Cellared for 2 years, I drank it in New Hamburg, ON, after being away in Asia. What a return home! Been waiting for this one. Really solid for the style, typical to the brewer its quite sweet, and this one is dark and Belgiany.
684 characters
3.75/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.69/5 rDev -8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.15/5 rDev -21.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
2.68/5 rDev -33.2%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.75
As other reviewers have noted, this is full of anise. I don't think it is well-integrated at all. My bottle was almost completely flat too, which is obviously a fault of the particular bottle, but I still wouldn't buy it again.
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look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.75
As other reviewers have noted, this is full of anise. I don't think it is well-integrated at all. My bottle was almost completely flat too, which is obviously a fault of the particular bottle, but I still wouldn't buy it again.
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3.81/5 rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
My favorite reviewers have an unusual spread of opinion on this.
There probably is only one way to narrow that spread: let the ale warm-up in the glass.
The carbonation calms down and the sugar/fruits counteract the strong anise/licorice.
This is one of my favorite makers of Belgian Darks, so I won't be too hard on my rating.
But.... the licorice is too strong for me to go back to this again.
Instead, I recommend their other more commonly available beers.
MJ's "Great Beers of Belgium" lists this without review.
517 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
My favorite reviewers have an unusual spread of opinion on this.
There probably is only one way to narrow that spread: let the ale warm-up in the glass.
The carbonation calms down and the sugar/fruits counteract the strong anise/licorice.
This is one of my favorite makers of Belgian Darks, so I won't be too hard on my rating.
But.... the licorice is too strong for me to go back to this again.
Instead, I recommend their other more commonly available beers.
MJ's "Great Beers of Belgium" lists this without review.
517 characters
3.82/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
A - Pours a dark raisin burgundy color but nice and clear with no haze or floaties, no carbonation, and no lacing ring.
S - Dark fruit, anise, black licorice, figs, - Very aromatic.
T - Light notes of anise and licorice, toffee malt, spice, figs.
M - Thick velvety body, low to no carbonation, sticky on lips.
O - Unique.
327 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
A - Pours a dark raisin burgundy color but nice and clear with no haze or floaties, no carbonation, and no lacing ring.
S - Dark fruit, anise, black licorice, figs, - Very aromatic.
T - Light notes of anise and licorice, toffee malt, spice, figs.
M - Thick velvety body, low to no carbonation, sticky on lips.
O - Unique.
327 characters
4.15/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.19/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Strong liquorice flavor. Decent unique Belgian beer.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Strong liquorice flavor. Decent unique Belgian beer.
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4.34/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev +6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.13/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2.8/5 rDev -30.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
Pours a darker brown body, dark purple hue. Smells full of dark fruit and licorice, but it doesn't prepare me for what comes on the palate, which is full of anise. I'm really not an anise fan at all, in fact it's one of the flavours I dislike most overall, so as you can imagine I did not enjoy this one at all. Mouthfeel is medium-thin bodied, lower carbonation, and again full of anise. Overall, I don't like this because of the anise. If you like it, tread carefully. If you don't like it, don't bother.
506 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
Pours a darker brown body, dark purple hue. Smells full of dark fruit and licorice, but it doesn't prepare me for what comes on the palate, which is full of anise. I'm really not an anise fan at all, in fact it's one of the flavours I dislike most overall, so as you can imagine I did not enjoy this one at all. Mouthfeel is medium-thin bodied, lower carbonation, and again full of anise. Overall, I don't like this because of the anise. If you like it, tread carefully. If you don't like it, don't bother.
506 characters
3.75/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.63/5 rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance - Reddish brown color with off white head
Smell - caramel, menthol, mint, molasses
Taste - caramel, molasses, fig, raisin, menthol, mint, black licorice
Mouthfeel - medium bodied, medium carbonation, sweetness upfront, minty menthol in the back end
Overall - decent beverage. If I didn't know any better, I would say that this is the same beer as the Gouden Carolus Noel
Price Point - $10.50/ 25.4 oz bottle
424 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance - Reddish brown color with off white head
Smell - caramel, menthol, mint, molasses
Taste - caramel, molasses, fig, raisin, menthol, mint, black licorice
Mouthfeel - medium bodied, medium carbonation, sweetness upfront, minty menthol in the back end
Overall - decent beverage. If I didn't know any better, I would say that this is the same beer as the Gouden Carolus Noel
Price Point - $10.50/ 25.4 oz bottle
424 characters
Gouden Carolus Easter Beer from Brouwerij Het Anker
Beer rating:
80.1% out of
100 with
236 ratings
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4