Gulden Draak Brewmaster's Edition | Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.
Brewed by:
Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.
Belgium
vansteenberge.com
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.50%
Availability: Fall
Notes / Commercial Description:
To celebrate the 230th birthday of the brewery, a Belgian strong dark ale aged in Whiskey barrels from Brouwerij Van Steenberge.
Added by firemanmike109 on 11-06-2013
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers
Ratings: 326 | Reviews: 73
4.51/5 rDev +11.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Biggest difference between taste and smell I can remember in a beer. Nose is extremely bourbon forward to where I was shocked by the taste. Taste is a 5 to me - the bourbon has mixed in lightly to create a toffee and caramel taste to go with a substantive mouthfeel.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Biggest difference between taste and smell I can remember in a beer. Nose is extremely bourbon forward to where I was shocked by the taste. Taste is a 5 to me - the bourbon has mixed in lightly to create a toffee and caramel taste to go with a substantive mouthfeel.
267 characters
4.25/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2017 edition.
Poured from tap into snifter.
L: ruby with a weak foam head.
S: wine, caramel.
T: bittersweet, wine, flowers.
F: tight body and low carbonated.
O: don't like usual GD. Looks like it aged.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2017 edition.
Poured from tap into snifter.
L: ruby with a weak foam head.
S: wine, caramel.
T: bittersweet, wine, flowers.
F: tight body and low carbonated.
O: don't like usual GD. Looks like it aged.
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3.34/5 rDev -17.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Nothing impressive. Nowhere close to as good as regular Gulden Draak. Reminds me of a German pilsner with a whiskey finish. But not whiskey forward. Goes nearly unnoticed if not for finish. Some caramel notes as well but would not recommend this.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Nothing impressive. Nowhere close to as good as regular Gulden Draak. Reminds me of a German pilsner with a whiskey finish. But not whiskey forward. Goes nearly unnoticed if not for finish. Some caramel notes as well but would not recommend this.
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3.78/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Had on tap, poured a clear deep amber color with a one finger head that dissipated quickly and left minimal lacing, Smells predominately of sweet malts, with undertones of oak, whiskey, yeast and banana. Taste lacked any real depth, with sweet malts being the main flavor, minimal whiskey and wood notes, banana, raisins, vanilla and yeast. Medium bodied, light carbonation, smooth mouth feel. Overall, disappointing.
417 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Had on tap, poured a clear deep amber color with a one finger head that dissipated quickly and left minimal lacing, Smells predominately of sweet malts, with undertones of oak, whiskey, yeast and banana. Taste lacked any real depth, with sweet malts being the main flavor, minimal whiskey and wood notes, banana, raisins, vanilla and yeast. Medium bodied, light carbonation, smooth mouth feel. Overall, disappointing.
417 characters
3.97/5 rDev -2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Pours slightly hazed, rich amber to shiny copper. Highlights glow bright amber to dark copper. The three-inch, creamy densefoam is almond white and long lasting. A thin coating of fine lace is dissolved by a film as the beer swirls within a Dragon Egg Snifter.
Sweet bread dough greets the nose, followed by hay. Notes of caramel and light lilac are subtle as is pinesap and the distinctive horse blanket. Fusil alcohol is a detraction, as is the lack of whiskey.
Alcohol balances the sweetness. As a pair, they are mild but with concentration, both are high. Oak and whiskey are clearly present in the flavor, but still subtle. Notes of butterscotch, burnt sugar, plums and vanilla. Warmth brings out herbal flavors along with dried apricot. The finish is mild and long and warmth significantly improves the flavor.
The body is medium with a satin texture and fine carbonation. It coats the palate with peppery alcohol that expresses the strength with light heat.
This is a good sipping beer which I enjoyed while reading on a cool autumn day as the first snow fell and Diane rehearsed on the harp. This beer added to the calm, peaceful tranquility.
1,154 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Pours slightly hazed, rich amber to shiny copper. Highlights glow bright amber to dark copper. The three-inch, creamy densefoam is almond white and long lasting. A thin coating of fine lace is dissolved by a film as the beer swirls within a Dragon Egg Snifter.
Sweet bread dough greets the nose, followed by hay. Notes of caramel and light lilac are subtle as is pinesap and the distinctive horse blanket. Fusil alcohol is a detraction, as is the lack of whiskey.
Alcohol balances the sweetness. As a pair, they are mild but with concentration, both are high. Oak and whiskey are clearly present in the flavor, but still subtle. Notes of butterscotch, burnt sugar, plums and vanilla. Warmth brings out herbal flavors along with dried apricot. The finish is mild and long and warmth significantly improves the flavor.
The body is medium with a satin texture and fine carbonation. It coats the palate with peppery alcohol that expresses the strength with light heat.
This is a good sipping beer which I enjoyed while reading on a cool autumn day as the first snow fell and Diane rehearsed on the harp. This beer added to the calm, peaceful tranquility.
1,154 characters
4.25/5 rDev +4.9%
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
4.43/5 rDev +9.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.25/5 rDev +4.9%
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
4.6/5 rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
What a great beer! I have tasted this beer in a small bottle. It seems that until now it could only be taken in large bottle. A great Belgian beer, balanced and without deceiving anyone.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
What a great beer! I have tasted this beer in a small bottle. It seems that until now it could only be taken in large bottle. A great Belgian beer, balanced and without deceiving anyone.
186 characters
4.76/5 rDev +17.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
4.19/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I've had a number of related brews and they all have been excellent. This was no exception and lives up to the billing.
It pours a deep golden reddish color, clearish and with just a tad of fizz (but a very effective effervescence). The aroma is beautifully balanced and pretty, but not over the top. The taste is a very nice experience of yeasty goodness, loads of malt interacting. Awesome. The finish is wonderfully boozy. I love that kind of boozy, but I actually don't want too much of that today.
Highly recommended.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I've had a number of related brews and they all have been excellent. This was no exception and lives up to the billing.
It pours a deep golden reddish color, clearish and with just a tad of fizz (but a very effective effervescence). The aroma is beautifully balanced and pretty, but not over the top. The taste is a very nice experience of yeasty goodness, loads of malt interacting. Awesome. The finish is wonderfully boozy. I love that kind of boozy, but I actually don't want too much of that today.
Highly recommended.
525 characters
3.93/5 rDev -3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.49/5 rDev +10.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This beer pours a murky brown with a large, dissipating head. The aroma is rich with banana bread, figs, dates, brown sugar, caramel, vanilla, fudge and toffee. The flavor is rich and chocolatey, with banana bread, figs, dates, brown sugar, caramel, walnut, and cream. The mouthfeel is full and sweet, with a dry finish. Overall this is a lovely beer - I love the base beer, and the barrel aging work well here.
411 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This beer pours a murky brown with a large, dissipating head. The aroma is rich with banana bread, figs, dates, brown sugar, caramel, vanilla, fudge and toffee. The flavor is rich and chocolatey, with banana bread, figs, dates, brown sugar, caramel, walnut, and cream. The mouthfeel is full and sweet, with a dry finish. Overall this is a lovely beer - I love the base beer, and the barrel aging work well here.
411 characters
4/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I tried this at the Bavarian Lodge in Lisle, IL. It was a solid offering.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I tried this at the Bavarian Lodge in Lisle, IL. It was a solid offering.
74 characters
4.23/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Chill hazed brown colored ale with a small white colored head that doesn't last.
Smells strongly of apples and cinnamon, smells exactly like apple butter in fact. Lots of black pepper riding on the ethanol fumes. Scents of vanilla and oak. Scents of butter and honey. Scents of heather and sage. But I don't actually smell the whiskey as a distinct scent in this one.
Starts out tasting of apples and whiskey. Cinnamon apples, honey and whiskey all together. Slightly woody with a good oak flavor and a faint taste of corn silk. Alcohol is very well hidden making this one extra dangerous to drink. Brown sugar and rum flavor as it warms. Very tasty beverage, but a sipper.
Mouthfeel is very full.
Overall not sure that whiskey barrel aging ads that much to an already great beer. But the whiskey barrel sure doesn't hurt it either. An Excellent choice for a holiday beer like Thanksgiving and Christmas. A treat for adult Halloween trick or treaters. This one is both trick AND treat!
1,003 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Chill hazed brown colored ale with a small white colored head that doesn't last.
Smells strongly of apples and cinnamon, smells exactly like apple butter in fact. Lots of black pepper riding on the ethanol fumes. Scents of vanilla and oak. Scents of butter and honey. Scents of heather and sage. But I don't actually smell the whiskey as a distinct scent in this one.
Starts out tasting of apples and whiskey. Cinnamon apples, honey and whiskey all together. Slightly woody with a good oak flavor and a faint taste of corn silk. Alcohol is very well hidden making this one extra dangerous to drink. Brown sugar and rum flavor as it warms. Very tasty beverage, but a sipper.
Mouthfeel is very full.
Overall not sure that whiskey barrel aging ads that much to an already great beer. But the whiskey barrel sure doesn't hurt it either. An Excellent choice for a holiday beer like Thanksgiving and Christmas. A treat for adult Halloween trick or treaters. This one is both trick AND treat!
1,003 characters
4.5/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
3.75/5 rDev -7.4%
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
4.03/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
L - warm golden-orange color; big, foamy, pillowy head
S - Belgian yeasty esthers leaning towards honey and clove, minimal candy-banana.
T - candy sugar/honey; Belgian yeasty esthers of clove, with minimal candy-banana. Vanilla notes from the barrels. There is some alcohol, but with a cognac-y vibe rather than turpentine.
F - thick, but not overly syrupy. A pleasant alcohol warmth, and does not burn in the throat.
O - I am not a fan of Gulden Draak, nor of Belgian beers that have that candy-banana character. This, however, is a very welcome exception that I am going to attribute to the vanilla and the cognac vibes from the barrel. In fact, I really, really enjoyed this, and I would definitely buy again.
I heartily recommend this one.
747 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
L - warm golden-orange color; big, foamy, pillowy head
S - Belgian yeasty esthers leaning towards honey and clove, minimal candy-banana.
T - candy sugar/honey; Belgian yeasty esthers of clove, with minimal candy-banana. Vanilla notes from the barrels. There is some alcohol, but with a cognac-y vibe rather than turpentine.
F - thick, but not overly syrupy. A pleasant alcohol warmth, and does not burn in the throat.
O - I am not a fan of Gulden Draak, nor of Belgian beers that have that candy-banana character. This, however, is a very welcome exception that I am going to attribute to the vanilla and the cognac vibes from the barrel. In fact, I really, really enjoyed this, and I would definitely buy again.
I heartily recommend this one.
747 characters
Gulden Draak Brewmaster's Edition from Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.
Beer rating:
4.05 out of
5 with
326 ratings
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