Gulden Draak Brewmaster's Edition
Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.
Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Strong Ale - Belgian Dark
Ranked #39 - ABV:
- 10.5%
- Score:
- 90
Ranked #4,851 - Avg:
- 4.08 | pDev: 9.56%
- Reviews:
- 87
- Ratings:
- From:
- Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.
- Belgium
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 27
- Gots
- 100
SCORE
90
Outstanding
90
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.
Reviews: 87
| Ratings: 364
| Log in to view all ratings and sort
eric5bellies from Australia
4.51/5 rDev +10.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
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
4.51/5 rDev +10.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
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
oberon from North Carolina
4.18/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
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
4.18/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
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
Franziskaner from Missouri
4.09/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
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
4.09/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
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
Snowcrash000 from Germany
4.21/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
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
4.21/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
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
ThaneMcC from Germany
4.5/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
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
4.5/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
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
stortore from Illinois
4.23/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
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
4.23/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
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
zeff80 from Missouri
4.06/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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
4.06/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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
keithmurray from Connecticut
4/5 rDev -2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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
4/5 rDev -2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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
Zet from Netherlands
3.85/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
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
3.85/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
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
JamFuel from Sweden
4.26/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
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
4.26/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
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
Bombelsky from Poland
4.22/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
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
4.22/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
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
AlarmClock314 from Wisconsin
4.1/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
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
4.1/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
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
draheim from Washington
4.2/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
750mL (bottled 8/2013, recently pulled from the deep recesses of my cellar) into a chalice. Pours a deep honey golden, lots of sediment, w/ a huge white head that dissipates relatively quickly to a layer of foam and collar. Surprisingly light color for what's listed as a strong dark ale, but OK.
Aroma is a rich and complex blend of figs and dates, ripe banana, vanilla, clove, Belgian yeast and sweet, sugary malt.
Taste follows nose. Mellow banana and vanilla, spice, graham cracker, and bready yeast. Nice warming whiskey on the finish.
Mouthfeel is medium to heavy, slick, a tad oily.
Overall a slightly more complex Belgian strong ale, on par with some of the barrel-aged American variants of this style.
Aug 06, 2018
4.2/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
750mL (bottled 8/2013, recently pulled from the deep recesses of my cellar) into a chalice. Pours a deep honey golden, lots of sediment, w/ a huge white head that dissipates relatively quickly to a layer of foam and collar. Surprisingly light color for what's listed as a strong dark ale, but OK.
Aroma is a rich and complex blend of figs and dates, ripe banana, vanilla, clove, Belgian yeast and sweet, sugary malt.
Taste follows nose. Mellow banana and vanilla, spice, graham cracker, and bready yeast. Nice warming whiskey on the finish.
Mouthfeel is medium to heavy, slick, a tad oily.
Overall a slightly more complex Belgian strong ale, on par with some of the barrel-aged American variants of this style.
Aug 06, 2018
janubio from Spain
4.79/5 rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Served in an old Gulden Draak tulip glass. Porus an amber color, medium head with long retention that leaves a layer on the surface. Irregular good lace.
Aroma of caramel, wood, whiskey, ripended fruits, banana, raisins.
Medium to dull body, dense and creamy texture, normal carbonation. Dry, sweet and alcoholic finish.
Taste of caramel, raisisns, banana, wood, whiskey, dark fruits.
Excellent slow drinking beer.
Aug 01, 2018
4.79/5 rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Served in an old Gulden Draak tulip glass. Porus an amber color, medium head with long retention that leaves a layer on the surface. Irregular good lace.
Aroma of caramel, wood, whiskey, ripended fruits, banana, raisins.
Medium to dull body, dense and creamy texture, normal carbonation. Dry, sweet and alcoholic finish.
Taste of caramel, raisisns, banana, wood, whiskey, dark fruits.
Excellent slow drinking beer.
Aug 01, 2018
Chuckdiesel24 from Illinois
4.51/5 rDev +10.5%
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.
Jun 21, 2018
4.51/5 rDev +10.5%
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.
Jun 21, 2018
Dzu from Russian Federation
4.25/5 rDev +4.2%
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.
May 01, 2018
4.25/5 rDev +4.2%
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.
May 01, 2018
BenHoppy from Michigan
3.34/5 rDev -18.1%
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.
Apr 07, 2018
3.34/5 rDev -18.1%
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.
Apr 07, 2018
EMH73 from New York
3.78/5 rDev -7.4%
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.
Mar 12, 2018
3.78/5 rDev -7.4%
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.
Mar 12, 2018
SLeffler27 from New York
3.97/5 rDev -2.7%
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.
Feb 25, 2018
3.97/5 rDev -2.7%
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.
Feb 25, 2018
lmaduells from Spain
4.6/5 rDev +12.7%
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.
Dec 18, 2017
4.6/5 rDev +12.7%
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.
Dec 18, 2017
schoolboy from Ohio
4.19/5 rDev +2.7%
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.
Nov 25, 2017
4.19/5 rDev +2.7%
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.
Nov 25, 2017
Czequershuus from Minnesota
4.49/5 rDev +10%
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.
Oct 21, 2017
4.49/5 rDev +10%
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.
Oct 21, 2017
Zorro from California
4.23/5 rDev +3.7%
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!
Sep 17, 2017
4.23/5 rDev +3.7%
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!
Sep 17, 2017
SpongeHop from Belgium
4.03/5 rDev -1.2%
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.
Jun 06, 2017
4.03/5 rDev -1.2%
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.
Jun 06, 2017
Sludgeman from District of Columbia
4.28/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Purchased for $22 at Arrow Wine. Shared one weekend afternoon with my 26 year old daughter.
Quite often great beer + barrel aging = disaster, but in my opinion, this is turned out to be a great variation on a great beer. 4.25
A - Pours a golden color, slightly hazy, with a two-finger off-white head. 4.25
S - Dark fruits, raisins, some apple (my daughter pointed this out), honey, spiciness. 4.25
T - Dark Belgian ale flavors with a substantial spiciness showing through the sedate brown sugar, vanilla whiskey., 4.25
F - Medium bodied, malty with a slight sweetness, smooth, the ABV is evident but only in a nice integrated way. No real heat. 4.5
May 13, 2017
4.28/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Purchased for $22 at Arrow Wine. Shared one weekend afternoon with my 26 year old daughter.
Quite often great beer + barrel aging = disaster, but in my opinion, this is turned out to be a great variation on a great beer. 4.25
A - Pours a golden color, slightly hazy, with a two-finger off-white head. 4.25
S - Dark fruits, raisins, some apple (my daughter pointed this out), honey, spiciness. 4.25
T - Dark Belgian ale flavors with a substantial spiciness showing through the sedate brown sugar, vanilla whiskey., 4.25
F - Medium bodied, malty with a slight sweetness, smooth, the ABV is evident but only in a nice integrated way. No real heat. 4.5
May 13, 2017
Gulden Draak Brewmaster's Edition from Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.
Beer rating:
90 out of
100 with
364 ratings
0 characters. We love reviews! Turn your rating into one with 150 characters or more.
Protips: Explain why you're giving this rating. Your review must discuss the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) and your overall impression in order to indicate that you have legitimately tried the beer. Nonconstructive reviews may be removed without notice and action may be taken on your account.
Close