Gulden Draak Brewmaster's Edition
Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.


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- From:
- Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.
- Belgium
- Style:
- Strong Ale - Belgian Dark
Ranked #51 - ABV:
- 10.5%
- Score:
- 91
Ranked #8,029 - Avg:
- 4.06 | pDev: 9.61%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 07, 2022
- Added:
- Nov 06, 2013
- Wants:
- 27
- Gots:
- 101
SCORE
91
Outstanding
91
Outstanding


Notes:
Our brewmaster, Jef Versele, crafted this exclusive Gulden Draak Brewmasters Edition as a tribute to his grandfather Jozef Van Steenberge and the 230th birthday of the brewery. His inspiration came from his numerous trips to the United States and his deepest respect for the craft beer culture. This exclusive Gulden Draak combines the technology and the craftsmenship of the traditional brewing process. By letting the beer mature on whiskey barrels it gives it a distinctive and gentle finish that you have never tasted before.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
4.09 by cold_beer on May 07, 2022
3.75 by TMoney2591 from Illinois on Feb 07, 2022
4.02/5 rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by Captain68 from Russian Federation
91
Nov 03, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by Captain68 from Russian Federation
91
Nov 03, 2021
4.13 by robotic_being from Florida on Aug 15, 2021
4.33 by Biergerd from Germany on Jul 27, 2021
4.51/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by eric5bellies from Australia
A - Pours a deep Copper colour with an off White head that retains well and laces
S - Nice floric aromas with some zesty aromas also, a touch boozy.
T - Oh yeah really nice complex citrus, malt and darker fruit flavours up front. The finish is a little boozy but buttery lingering flavours.
M - Medium body with medium carbonation which is very smooth
O- This has tones of the famous De Garre Tripel it is quite a beer. Strong but yet complex and smooth.
Mar 26, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by eric5bellies from Australia
A - Pours a deep Copper colour with an off White head that retains well and laces
S - Nice floric aromas with some zesty aromas also, a touch boozy.
T - Oh yeah really nice complex citrus, malt and darker fruit flavours up front. The finish is a little boozy but buttery lingering flavours.
M - Medium body with medium carbonation which is very smooth
O- This has tones of the famous De Garre Tripel it is quite a beer. Strong but yet complex and smooth.
Mar 26, 2021
4.25 by steverx8 from England on Feb 27, 2021
4.18/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by oberon from North Carolina
Pours into a chalice a rich amber with a large fluffy off white head that settles ever so slowly into a frothy mass,multiple rings of lace are left behind as it settles.Caramel/vanilla,toast,and phenols in the nose,quite spicy wich isn't so bad with the warming whiskey notes.Quite rich on the palate,deep engrained vanilla toffee flavors with some sharpness from the whiskey,finishing spicy from the yeast.Though it migh be a little overwhelmingly phenolic but I was wrong,a very rich Belgian dark here.
Jan 03, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by oberon from North Carolina
Pours into a chalice a rich amber with a large fluffy off white head that settles ever so slowly into a frothy mass,multiple rings of lace are left behind as it settles.Caramel/vanilla,toast,and phenols in the nose,quite spicy wich isn't so bad with the warming whiskey notes.Quite rich on the palate,deep engrained vanilla toffee flavors with some sharpness from the whiskey,finishing spicy from the yeast.Though it migh be a little overwhelmingly phenolic but I was wrong,a very rich Belgian dark here.
Jan 03, 2021
4 by Noelito76 from New York on Dec 23, 2020
4.09/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by Franziskaner from Missouri
Deep brown with a gold sheen. There’s a fairly hazy complexion and a fingernail of beige around most of the rim and covering a majority of the top. The aroma is sweet malt and vanilla. I’m tasting lots of sweet malt, vanilla, and caramel. The mouth is chewy and sticky.
Oct 04, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by Franziskaner from Missouri
Deep brown with a gold sheen. There’s a fairly hazy complexion and a fingernail of beige around most of the rim and covering a majority of the top. The aroma is sweet malt and vanilla. I’m tasting lots of sweet malt, vanilla, and caramel. The mouth is chewy and sticky.
Oct 04, 2020
4.21/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Snowcrash000 from Germany
Pours a crystal clear, deep amber coloration with a small, fizzy head. Smells of bready, caramel malt, toffee and dark fruit, with just a hint of estery spice and notes of plum, fig and clove. Taste is a great balance of bready, quite caramelly malt, toffee, brown sugar dark fruit, estery fruit and spice and a rather subtle barrel presence, with notes of raisin, plum, fig, red apple, banana, clove and just a hint of cinnamon, vanilla, oak. Finishes with a medium sweetness and some dark, estery fruit and spice lingering in the aftertaste. Smooth mouthfeel with a rich body and low/medium carbonation.
This is a rather nice Belgian Strong Ale that's rich and sticky without becoming too syrupy sweet or overly boozy though, with a good balance of dark and estery fruit, spices and subtle barrel notes that still add a distinct feel to this. Overall, this makes for a rather pleasant sipper that's complex and well-balanced, although the barrel notes are rather subtle and could probably be a little more pronounced here, which doesn't really detract from the overall enjoyment though.
Aug 25, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Snowcrash000 from Germany
Pours a crystal clear, deep amber coloration with a small, fizzy head. Smells of bready, caramel malt, toffee and dark fruit, with just a hint of estery spice and notes of plum, fig and clove. Taste is a great balance of bready, quite caramelly malt, toffee, brown sugar dark fruit, estery fruit and spice and a rather subtle barrel presence, with notes of raisin, plum, fig, red apple, banana, clove and just a hint of cinnamon, vanilla, oak. Finishes with a medium sweetness and some dark, estery fruit and spice lingering in the aftertaste. Smooth mouthfeel with a rich body and low/medium carbonation.
This is a rather nice Belgian Strong Ale that's rich and sticky without becoming too syrupy sweet or overly boozy though, with a good balance of dark and estery fruit, spices and subtle barrel notes that still add a distinct feel to this. Overall, this makes for a rather pleasant sipper that's complex and well-balanced, although the barrel notes are rather subtle and could probably be a little more pronounced here, which doesn't really detract from the overall enjoyment though.
Aug 25, 2020
4.45 by arzt from Russian Federation on Aug 21, 2020
4.75 by Pchop18 from Kentucky on Jul 28, 2020
3.33 by stephenlee93 from England on Jun 19, 2020
4.25 by eldoctorador from Chile on May 27, 2020
4.5/5 rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by ThaneMcC from Germany
Gulden Draak – how do you improve on perfection? Age it in whisky barrels. . .
First had this as the annual BAB craft beer fest in Brussels – so good – and thankfully easy to come by around here (Germany).
Beautiful amber pour into tulip glass, white foamy head that resolves fairly quickly and plenty of lacing and legs. Smells of classic Belgian yeast, roasted malts, dark fruits, woody and vanilla whisky notes.
Taste is sweet, dark fruits, some plum, raisin, fig, hint of molasses and vanilla and woody notes with a fairly strong whisky finish and clean finish.
Medium mouth feel with strong carbonation and astringency – sweet without being syrupy – tasty sipper with well hidden abv. . .
Apr 22, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by ThaneMcC from Germany
Gulden Draak – how do you improve on perfection? Age it in whisky barrels. . .
First had this as the annual BAB craft beer fest in Brussels – so good – and thankfully easy to come by around here (Germany).
Beautiful amber pour into tulip glass, white foamy head that resolves fairly quickly and plenty of lacing and legs. Smells of classic Belgian yeast, roasted malts, dark fruits, woody and vanilla whisky notes.
Taste is sweet, dark fruits, some plum, raisin, fig, hint of molasses and vanilla and woody notes with a fairly strong whisky finish and clean finish.
Medium mouth feel with strong carbonation and astringency – sweet without being syrupy – tasty sipper with well hidden abv. . .
Apr 22, 2020
4.23/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by stortore from Illinois
750 ml bottle into a tulip snifter. 2017 edition, bottled April 2017, had 8/17/19. Also had on tap.
Pours a tawny gold color, lightly hazy, with a one and a half inch foamy head with great retention and lots of foamy lacing. Aromas of Belgian yeast, spices- coriander for one, malt, whiskey, wheat, some oak, light vanilla, some peppercorn, light funk as it warms. The flavor is similar- Belgian yeast, whiskey, malt, spices, wheat, some vanilla and oak. Smooth, a good medium body, well carbonated.
This has a fairly unique flavor profile, and the whiskey barrels really enhance the solid base. Very enjoyable and well worth a purchase.
R091918
Mar 26, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by stortore from Illinois
750 ml bottle into a tulip snifter. 2017 edition, bottled April 2017, had 8/17/19. Also had on tap.
Pours a tawny gold color, lightly hazy, with a one and a half inch foamy head with great retention and lots of foamy lacing. Aromas of Belgian yeast, spices- coriander for one, malt, whiskey, wheat, some oak, light vanilla, some peppercorn, light funk as it warms. The flavor is similar- Belgian yeast, whiskey, malt, spices, wheat, some vanilla and oak. Smooth, a good medium body, well carbonated.
This has a fairly unique flavor profile, and the whiskey barrels really enhance the solid base. Very enjoyable and well worth a purchase.
R091918
Mar 26, 2020
4 by aztraz from Sweden on Jan 07, 2020
4.06/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by zeff80 from Missouri
Growler. Poured out a clear, light burgundy color with a small, khaki-colored head of foam. It smelled of whiskey, toffee, candi sugar and caramel. Boozy taste with caramel, spices, maltiness and dried fruitiness.
Dec 13, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by zeff80 from Missouri
Growler. Poured out a clear, light burgundy color with a small, khaki-colored head of foam. It smelled of whiskey, toffee, candi sugar and caramel. Boozy taste with caramel, spices, maltiness and dried fruitiness.
Dec 13, 2019
4.06 by dannycohen62 from Illinois on Nov 19, 2019
4.03 by Eltrandos from France on Oct 15, 2019
4.01 by BarryMFBurton from Indiana on Oct 05, 2019
4.25 by paulish from New York on Aug 27, 2019
3.89 by NightINgale from Russian Federation on Aug 25, 2019
5 by Myara from Brazil on Aug 05, 2019
4.73 by AreSoms from Sweden on Jul 29, 2019
4.16 by ItsBeer4Me from Pennsylvania on Jun 15, 2019
4.4 by generallee from Virginia on Apr 26, 2019
4/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by keithmurray from Connecticut
Appearance - bronze colored body with eggshell white head
Smell - cherry, whiskey, plum, apple
Taste - apple, cherry, plum, raisin, date, whiskey
Mouthfeel - medium bodied, medium carbonation, sweetness from the dark fruit upfront, hint of whiskey on the back end
Overall - decent iteration of GuldenDraak that I was glad to try. Didnt seem like the barrel flavors were in concert with the rest of the beer. But the more I drink these variants, the more i come to the conclusion that I like base gulden Draak the best out of all of them!
Apr 12, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by keithmurray from Connecticut
Appearance - bronze colored body with eggshell white head
Smell - cherry, whiskey, plum, apple
Taste - apple, cherry, plum, raisin, date, whiskey
Mouthfeel - medium bodied, medium carbonation, sweetness from the dark fruit upfront, hint of whiskey on the back end
Overall - decent iteration of GuldenDraak that I was glad to try. Didnt seem like the barrel flavors were in concert with the rest of the beer. But the more I drink these variants, the more i come to the conclusion that I like base gulden Draak the best out of all of them!
Apr 12, 2019
3.25 by Dovers from Wisconsin on Mar 26, 2019
3.85/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by Zet from Netherlands
Like its regular cousin, the brewmaster version is a fine example of a alcohol-drenched (no perojative here, it's the balanced and warming kind) BSDA. It does not offer anything spectacular on top of the original however. The "matured in whisky-barrels-thing" is pretty latent. Therefore I doubt this beer really deserves its spot on the shelves.
Jan 23, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by Zet from Netherlands
Like its regular cousin, the brewmaster version is a fine example of a alcohol-drenched (no perojative here, it's the balanced and warming kind) BSDA. It does not offer anything spectacular on top of the original however. The "matured in whisky-barrels-thing" is pretty latent. Therefore I doubt this beer really deserves its spot on the shelves.
Jan 23, 2019
3.75 by Dave_Treat from Virginia on Dec 09, 2018
4.1 by BelgianBeerChef from Romania on Nov 24, 2018
4.26/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by JamFuel from Sweden
Pours a brownish orange with fine, off white foam.
Smell is yeasty and oaky with notes of banana, pears and brown sugar.
Taste is more balanced and mellow that I thought it would be. Yeasty and fruit, with notes of apple must, white wine, vanilla and quite a bit of oak. Sophisticated and deep.
Mouthfeel is medium to full, chewy and well carbonated.
Overall, a nice Belgian that is way too easy to drink, considering the ABV.
Nov 13, 2018
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by JamFuel from Sweden
Pours a brownish orange with fine, off white foam.
Smell is yeasty and oaky with notes of banana, pears and brown sugar.
Taste is more balanced and mellow that I thought it would be. Yeasty and fruit, with notes of apple must, white wine, vanilla and quite a bit of oak. Sophisticated and deep.
Mouthfeel is medium to full, chewy and well carbonated.
Overall, a nice Belgian that is way too easy to drink, considering the ABV.
Nov 13, 2018
4.18 by DylanBrkhff from Netherlands on Nov 02, 2018
4.22/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by Bombelsky from Poland
I mean it is the same beer just with bit of vanilla flavor and aroma. If it is the same price it is worth it. Did not try to cellar it, maybe that's the key? Anyway very good, tasty beer
Oct 30, 2018
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by Bombelsky from Poland
I mean it is the same beer just with bit of vanilla flavor and aroma. If it is the same price it is worth it. Did not try to cellar it, maybe that's the key? Anyway very good, tasty beer
Oct 30, 2018
4.1/5 rDev +1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by AlarmClock314 from Wisconsin
25.4oz bottle, bottled on 1/15. Pours hazy gold with a medium sized head; lighter color than expected. Smells of oxidization, oak/barrel, dried fruit, fruity esters, and honey. The taste follows with oak, fruit, and honey. Medium intensity and very smooth. Slightly sweet and average bitterness. It's past it's prime, but that's not surprising given that it's approaching it's 4th birthday. Below average body and average carbonation. Overall, I'd rather have a darker/richer BSDA more true to the style, but the barrel comes through well enough and it help up okay with time.
Oct 25, 2018
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by AlarmClock314 from Wisconsin
25.4oz bottle, bottled on 1/15. Pours hazy gold with a medium sized head; lighter color than expected. Smells of oxidization, oak/barrel, dried fruit, fruity esters, and honey. The taste follows with oak, fruit, and honey. Medium intensity and very smooth. Slightly sweet and average bitterness. It's past it's prime, but that's not surprising given that it's approaching it's 4th birthday. Below average body and average carbonation. Overall, I'd rather have a darker/richer BSDA more true to the style, but the barrel comes through well enough and it help up okay with time.
Oct 25, 2018
4.23 by Antyk from Belgium on Sep 13, 2018
5 by igl from Russian Federation on Aug 14, 2018
4.5 by COBEERHUNTER from Colorado on Aug 09, 2018
Gulden Draak Brewmaster's Edition from Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.
Beer rating:
91 out of
100 with
369 ratings