Gulden Draak 9000 Quadruple | Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.
Brewed by:
Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.
Belgium | website
Style: Quadrupel (Quad)
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.70%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by Jason on 08-11-2011
Reviews: 242 | Ratings: 1,188
3.49/5 rDev -14.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Light brown colour; pours with a medium head.
The alcohol and sugar is present in the smell. The taste is similar to a stronger triple, with a very sweet aftertaste.
For the fans mainly.
★ 186 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Light brown colour; pours with a medium head.
The alcohol and sugar is present in the smell. The taste is similar to a stronger triple, with a very sweet aftertaste.
For the fans mainly.
★ 186 characters
3.94/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
First impression was very bitter, but it smoothed out after the first couple of sips. Not particularly smooth in my mouth, and had a strong chemical smell. Dry on the center of my tongue - not crazy about that.
★ 210 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
First impression was very bitter, but it smoothed out after the first couple of sips. Not particularly smooth in my mouth, and had a strong chemical smell. Dry on the center of my tongue - not crazy about that.
★ 210 characters
4.06/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From the bottle, it pours a nice amber with a moderate head. Some fruit in the nose. The mouth tastes a smooth toffee like creaminess that fills the mouth with a luscious flavor. Yum!
★ 186 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From the bottle, it pours a nice amber with a moderate head. Some fruit in the nose. The mouth tastes a smooth toffee like creaminess that fills the mouth with a luscious flavor. Yum!
★ 186 characters
4.36/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
Look is translucent that gives you the feel that this beer has body. Poured into a tulip glass with nice head and lingering retention. The alcohol taste is definitely there but not over powering to me. Belgian style beer worth the price.
★ 237 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
Look is translucent that gives you the feel that this beer has body. Poured into a tulip glass with nice head and lingering retention. The alcohol taste is definitely there but not over powering to me. Belgian style beer worth the price.
★ 237 characters
4.03/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Lighter than I was expecting, it is a deep amber with just a smear of white head. The aroma, though has nice dark fruit and some sugary sweetness. The taste is much the same. Neither is overwhelming but both are very good. The body is lighter and very smooth.
★ 259 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Lighter than I was expecting, it is a deep amber with just a smear of white head. The aroma, though has nice dark fruit and some sugary sweetness. The taste is much the same. Neither is overwhelming but both are very good. The body is lighter and very smooth.
★ 259 characters
3.74/5 rDev -8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Dark amber with a large beige head.
One of the most prominent caramel noses I've ever smelt, so much so that the Belgian yeast is subdued to great effect. Some hops are present, herbal maybe.
Taste is sweet, smooth and luscious toffee, buttery even. It's really like a melted caramel candy treat. There is even a flavor of cotton candy.
This is unlike any Quad I've ever had. I need to try more of these, especially actual Belgian versions. I've had a very wide array of attempts at this style and now I'm not really sure exactly what the originals were aiming for.
★ 568 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Dark amber with a large beige head.
One of the most prominent caramel noses I've ever smelt, so much so that the Belgian yeast is subdued to great effect. Some hops are present, herbal maybe.
Taste is sweet, smooth and luscious toffee, buttery even. It's really like a melted caramel candy treat. There is even a flavor of cotton candy.
This is unlike any Quad I've ever had. I need to try more of these, especially actual Belgian versions. I've had a very wide array of attempts at this style and now I'm not really sure exactly what the originals were aiming for.
★ 568 characters
3.76/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Looks great, pours crystal amber with large inviting head
Standard sweet, spicy belgiany aromas
Typical sweet, dry, carbonic, yeasty spice. Little to no bitterness. Alcohol present. Too sweet for my tastes but it is a good beer
Does what it says on the tin
★ 260 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Looks great, pours crystal amber with large inviting head
Standard sweet, spicy belgiany aromas
Typical sweet, dry, carbonic, yeasty spice. Little to no bitterness. Alcohol present. Too sweet for my tastes but it is a good beer
Does what it says on the tin
★ 260 characters
4.18/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
From bottle, pours a hazey amber colour with a large bone coloured head that disapates to a small half finger. Aroma caramel, candy, fruity. Taste malt, candy, sweet, clove, fruit. Very nice.
★ 191 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
From bottle, pours a hazey amber colour with a large bone coloured head that disapates to a small half finger. Aroma caramel, candy, fruity. Taste malt, candy, sweet, clove, fruit. Very nice.
★ 191 characters
4.28/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
330ml bottle poured into a goblet.
The pour yields hazy deep amber liquid and a thick velvety off-white head with exceptional retention, it just slightly dissipates and withstands until the end also leaves plenty of nice and sticky lacing along the glass-side, high visible carbonation.
The aroma is predominated by its sweet and fruity profiles, led by sweet caramel, honey, candy sugar, ripe fruity ester that is reminiscent of citrus, peach, cherry, and pineapple, also a glimpse of crackery malt at last.
Kick off with really sweet crackery malt as well as a bold touch of candy sugar and honey, fruitiness poking through at the middle where same time hop lends its herbal and peppery notes trying to attenuate all the sweetness. Hop bitterness draws in at the almost end as a reinforcement still trying to counter the persistent sweetness and it did well. There is slight astringency in the aftertaste where sweetness, fruitiness, and bitterness come back to wrap up and provide a pleasant aftertaste.
Semi-syrupy body, super smooth mouthfeel with lively carbonation generates nice crispness and a wave of soft effervescence covering through the palate, dry finish.
Even it is not overwhelming sweet by the resistance of other flavors, anyway, it still can consider as a brew for sweet tooth. Quite complex but same time easy to enjoy with, alcohol is well hidden but of course it is there. You can just feel it when bottom up already.
★ 1,445 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
330ml bottle poured into a goblet.
The pour yields hazy deep amber liquid and a thick velvety off-white head with exceptional retention, it just slightly dissipates and withstands until the end also leaves plenty of nice and sticky lacing along the glass-side, high visible carbonation.
The aroma is predominated by its sweet and fruity profiles, led by sweet caramel, honey, candy sugar, ripe fruity ester that is reminiscent of citrus, peach, cherry, and pineapple, also a glimpse of crackery malt at last.
Kick off with really sweet crackery malt as well as a bold touch of candy sugar and honey, fruitiness poking through at the middle where same time hop lends its herbal and peppery notes trying to attenuate all the sweetness. Hop bitterness draws in at the almost end as a reinforcement still trying to counter the persistent sweetness and it did well. There is slight astringency in the aftertaste where sweetness, fruitiness, and bitterness come back to wrap up and provide a pleasant aftertaste.
Semi-syrupy body, super smooth mouthfeel with lively carbonation generates nice crispness and a wave of soft effervescence covering through the palate, dry finish.
Even it is not overwhelming sweet by the resistance of other flavors, anyway, it still can consider as a brew for sweet tooth. Quite complex but same time easy to enjoy with, alcohol is well hidden but of course it is there. You can just feel it when bottom up already.
★ 1,445 characters
4.22/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 2.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Initial impressions, cool and smooth bottle. Look is a bit too bubbly and like washing up liquid.
Aroma, amazing! Up there with the best.
It has a fruitiness and intensity that is highly admirable. Fairly good balance.
Highly strong and intense flavor.
★ 256 characters
look: 2.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Initial impressions, cool and smooth bottle. Look is a bit too bubbly and like washing up liquid.
Aroma, amazing! Up there with the best.
It has a fruitiness and intensity that is highly admirable. Fairly good balance.
Highly strong and intense flavor.
★ 256 characters
3.63/5 rDev -11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
L: cloudy Amber, thin , long lasting tan head
S: candy, toffee, caramel, Belgian yeast
T: tastes like it smells
F: carbonation, sticky mouthfeel
O: good sipper, not the best Quad I've ever had
★ 194 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
L: cloudy Amber, thin , long lasting tan head
S: candy, toffee, caramel, Belgian yeast
T: tastes like it smells
F: carbonation, sticky mouthfeel
O: good sipper, not the best Quad I've ever had
★ 194 characters
3.78/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
It's on the sweeter side for a dark beer. sweeter than i expected but its decent tasting and as long as it has a 10.7% ABV i wont complain about the taste.
★ 155 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
It's on the sweeter side for a dark beer. sweeter than i expected but its decent tasting and as long as it has a 10.7% ABV i wont complain about the taste.
★ 155 characters
4.36/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Aroma and flavor seemed very similar. First thing I got was an intense cherry, almost brandy-like flavor. Also malt-bread sweetness with raisin and apricots. Doesn't hide the high alcohol content at all, as it has a boozey finish. Overall effect is balanced yet on the sweet side.
Was pleasantly surprised by this one and will definitely get it again.
★ 353 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Aroma and flavor seemed very similar. First thing I got was an intense cherry, almost brandy-like flavor. Also malt-bread sweetness with raisin and apricots. Doesn't hide the high alcohol content at all, as it has a boozey finish. Overall effect is balanced yet on the sweet side.
Was pleasantly surprised by this one and will definitely get it again.
★ 353 characters
4.48/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
330 ml stubby bottle with ABV listed as 10.7%.
Surprised that I haven't yet rated this outstanding beer which I have had at least once before.
Pours with a cloudy copper colored body that is covered by a large, off-white, somewhat bubbly head. Good looking but the appearance is certainly not the strong point of this stellar ale.
The aroma and flavor are nuanced, moderately strong and highly complex. They are just short of magical: not without some magic, I suppose, but not above nit picking. Actually, I have no criticisms of the aroma, but others may find the strong dark fruits notes, including dried plums, to be too prominent. The flavor is rather sweet: worked for me but may seem a little too high for some.
Feel: medium+ body with prickly, medium-high carbonation.
Overall: Superb!
★ 806 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
330 ml stubby bottle with ABV listed as 10.7%.
Surprised that I haven't yet rated this outstanding beer which I have had at least once before.
Pours with a cloudy copper colored body that is covered by a large, off-white, somewhat bubbly head. Good looking but the appearance is certainly not the strong point of this stellar ale.
The aroma and flavor are nuanced, moderately strong and highly complex. They are just short of magical: not without some magic, I suppose, but not above nit picking. Actually, I have no criticisms of the aroma, but others may find the strong dark fruits notes, including dried plums, to be too prominent. The flavor is rather sweet: worked for me but may seem a little too high for some.
Feel: medium+ body with prickly, medium-high carbonation.
Overall: Superb!
★ 806 characters
4.1/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I get this ale because I like to buy the Global Beer sampler because it is one of the best ways to six different beers. All good.
9000 stores well, so I have built up an inventory. I just had one and find it as I have found the others: it is a barely above average representation of the style.
Quad quality hinges on making sure the sugar leads to fruit flavors instead of syrup.
I taste both here.
★ 400 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I get this ale because I like to buy the Global Beer sampler because it is one of the best ways to six different beers. All good.
9000 stores well, so I have built up an inventory. I just had one and find it as I have found the others: it is a barely above average representation of the style.
Quad quality hinges on making sure the sugar leads to fruit flavors instead of syrup.
I taste both here.
★ 400 characters
4.18/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25
This beer pours a rich orange-copper with a huge head. The aroma offers up apricot jam, a little banana, clove, maple, and plum. The flavor offers up strong notes of apricot, lemon curd, plums, sweet cherries, banana, clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon. The mouthfeel is full and rich with a lot of carbonation. Overll this is a very tasty beer, but a bit different for a Quad. That said, I prefer this to a more typical quad.
★ 419 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25
This beer pours a rich orange-copper with a huge head. The aroma offers up apricot jam, a little banana, clove, maple, and plum. The flavor offers up strong notes of apricot, lemon curd, plums, sweet cherries, banana, clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon. The mouthfeel is full and rich with a lot of carbonation. Overll this is a very tasty beer, but a bit different for a Quad. That said, I prefer this to a more typical quad.
★ 419 characters
4.27/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a small snifter. Nice deep color, medium head.
Fruity, earthy smell.
Complex flavor. Fruit, nut, earth, etc. Somewhat of a hard alcohol flavor.
Medium carbonation, good mouth feel.
Outstanding beer, will buy again.
★ 231 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a small snifter. Nice deep color, medium head.
Fruity, earthy smell.
Complex flavor. Fruit, nut, earth, etc. Somewhat of a hard alcohol flavor.
Medium carbonation, good mouth feel.
Outstanding beer, will buy again.
★ 231 characters
3.52/5 rDev -13.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
I know that I am supposed to be laser-focused on CANs right now, but a) I purchased a mixed-six box of Belgian bottles recently and b) a homebrewer friend wants the stubby empties. That's fine with me since I usually just fill them with gasoline, get a paper towel wick, light it aflame and pitch it through either a Starbucks or a Wells Fargo Bank window. This way, it keeps me a) out of mischief and b) in beer. Win-win, I think it is referred to as being.
From the bottle: "Gulden Draak 9000 Quadruple Ale with an exceptional and complex taste sensation and a deep golden amberblonde [sic] colour. An ode to the city of 9000 Ghent with the golden dragon on top of the belfry."
The Pop! of the cap was much less exciting than it had been for the earlier bottle of standard Gulden Draak, but I still employed a very gentle pour in deference to any extant lees. A light swirl of the glass raised a finger of tawny head with great retention. Color was a slightly hazy Amber to Deep Amber/Light Copper (SRM = > 9, < 13) (Golden AmberBlonde? My draggin' a**!) Nose was rich with a butterscotch sweetness & where that may be indicative of Diacetyl, I am doubtful as I have a very high threshold for sensing it and as such, it often goes unnoticed by me. Mouthfeel was medium. The first thing that I noticed was a fusel heat that acted kind of cooling on my tongue as it evaporated. I really need to be honest here - this was just a really big beer that masked any flavors with its alcohol. I kept trying to taste something, anything, but my tongue was reeling in a state of shock. Finish was dry, but mostly due to its inherent heat. I would definitely stick to regular Gulden Draak.
★ 1,681 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
I know that I am supposed to be laser-focused on CANs right now, but a) I purchased a mixed-six box of Belgian bottles recently and b) a homebrewer friend wants the stubby empties. That's fine with me since I usually just fill them with gasoline, get a paper towel wick, light it aflame and pitch it through either a Starbucks or a Wells Fargo Bank window. This way, it keeps me a) out of mischief and b) in beer. Win-win, I think it is referred to as being.
From the bottle: "Gulden Draak 9000 Quadruple Ale with an exceptional and complex taste sensation and a deep golden amberblonde [sic] colour. An ode to the city of 9000 Ghent with the golden dragon on top of the belfry."
The Pop! of the cap was much less exciting than it had been for the earlier bottle of standard Gulden Draak, but I still employed a very gentle pour in deference to any extant lees. A light swirl of the glass raised a finger of tawny head with great retention. Color was a slightly hazy Amber to Deep Amber/Light Copper (SRM = > 9, < 13) (Golden AmberBlonde? My draggin' a**!) Nose was rich with a butterscotch sweetness & where that may be indicative of Diacetyl, I am doubtful as I have a very high threshold for sensing it and as such, it often goes unnoticed by me. Mouthfeel was medium. The first thing that I noticed was a fusel heat that acted kind of cooling on my tongue as it evaporated. I really need to be honest here - this was just a really big beer that masked any flavors with its alcohol. I kept trying to taste something, anything, but my tongue was reeling in a state of shock. Finish was dry, but mostly due to its inherent heat. I would definitely stick to regular Gulden Draak.
★ 1,681 characters
4.4/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured from the bottle into a tulip glass.
Deep and glowing amber orange body, with a good middle column of roaring carbonation in the centre. Head manages a light cream quality, about two fingers with a good appearance of pinhead bubbled puck, that keeps getting repopulated on the sides. Looks like a slight vanilla whipped top for the head too.
Aroma is soft bisquit like malts, large vanilla cream sensations too, and classic fruity Belgian esters and sweetness. Candi like sugar gives way to accenting the malt sweetness more so, in an almost pastry bakery like flavor. Really does smell like a soft vanilla white cake.
Palate makes no mistakes about what it is. Spicy warmth and a big clove and nutmeg hea hit the palate on first sip. Sweet malts come in even with a mild astringency of bitterness on the finish, and coat with a warm brandy like booze warmth. Finishes a bit clean as well, and a good accent of caramel sweetness and softness continue in the palate. With the hot phenols a sense of almost tight carbonation feels like it's coming in, but ends up more simple and just a little higher than moderate. Playful. Bakery sweet. Excellently balanced seeming less hot than it's ABV indicates.
A real interesting take, and not what I was expecting on a quad as I was expecting darker and more fig/raisin qualities. That being said I can take this in a heartbeat anytime and probably would prefer it to the former. Love the bakery sweetness and feel to it too.
★ 1,488 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured from the bottle into a tulip glass.
Deep and glowing amber orange body, with a good middle column of roaring carbonation in the centre. Head manages a light cream quality, about two fingers with a good appearance of pinhead bubbled puck, that keeps getting repopulated on the sides. Looks like a slight vanilla whipped top for the head too.
Aroma is soft bisquit like malts, large vanilla cream sensations too, and classic fruity Belgian esters and sweetness. Candi like sugar gives way to accenting the malt sweetness more so, in an almost pastry bakery like flavor. Really does smell like a soft vanilla white cake.
Palate makes no mistakes about what it is. Spicy warmth and a big clove and nutmeg hea hit the palate on first sip. Sweet malts come in even with a mild astringency of bitterness on the finish, and coat with a warm brandy like booze warmth. Finishes a bit clean as well, and a good accent of caramel sweetness and softness continue in the palate. With the hot phenols a sense of almost tight carbonation feels like it's coming in, but ends up more simple and just a little higher than moderate. Playful. Bakery sweet. Excellently balanced seeming less hot than it's ABV indicates.
A real interesting take, and not what I was expecting on a quad as I was expecting darker and more fig/raisin qualities. That being said I can take this in a heartbeat anytime and probably would prefer it to the former. Love the bakery sweetness and feel to it too.
★ 1,488 characters
3/5 rDev -26.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Warm brown color, big head. Brighter than the original, not cloudy at all, with aromas of malt, caramel, plums and spices, not very intense. At the beginning alcohol gets wrapped up real good by the sweet malts, caramel falvors, with cloves and plums. Creates a warm feeling in the stomach, but the sweet finish of this beer gets too alcoholic. It is in fact not more complex than the original "Gulden Draak", but only sweeter with alcohol being too present - all in all this beer misses balance, tries to imitate the original without new ideas. The overall taste doesn’t stay long on the tongue, but the lower carbonation creates a medium body.
★ 647 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Warm brown color, big head. Brighter than the original, not cloudy at all, with aromas of malt, caramel, plums and spices, not very intense. At the beginning alcohol gets wrapped up real good by the sweet malts, caramel falvors, with cloves and plums. Creates a warm feeling in the stomach, but the sweet finish of this beer gets too alcoholic. It is in fact not more complex than the original "Gulden Draak", but only sweeter with alcohol being too present - all in all this beer misses balance, tries to imitate the original without new ideas. The overall taste doesn’t stay long on the tongue, but the lower carbonation creates a medium body.
★ 647 characters
4.46/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Had on-tap at the Yard House in Scottsdale, AZ. Poured into a chalice.
L: Pours a semi-opaque mahogany color. Thick creamy off-white head with great retention and lacing.
S: Dark candied fruits, malts, and spices.
T/F: Rich and malty beer with a spicy complex flavor profile. Dark fruits like plums and figs... hints of cloves and nutmeg as well as vanilla. Candy sugars and Belgian yeast. Smooth and creamy, and deceptively strong. Gets better as it warms... and then starts to warm you.
O: A fantastic Belgian Quad and great on-tap if you can find it. Awesome representation of the style and you can't go wrong here.
★ 635 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Had on-tap at the Yard House in Scottsdale, AZ. Poured into a chalice.
L: Pours a semi-opaque mahogany color. Thick creamy off-white head with great retention and lacing.
S: Dark candied fruits, malts, and spices.
T/F: Rich and malty beer with a spicy complex flavor profile. Dark fruits like plums and figs... hints of cloves and nutmeg as well as vanilla. Candy sugars and Belgian yeast. Smooth and creamy, and deceptively strong. Gets better as it warms... and then starts to warm you.
O: A fantastic Belgian Quad and great on-tap if you can find it. Awesome representation of the style and you can't go wrong here.
★ 635 characters
3.91/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Pours with a medium head and a slightly clouded golden apricot color. Smell of phenols. Mildly sweet, slightly bitter with hops evident. Tart, slightly sour cherries with a hint of grape. Toasted marshmallow finish, dates and figs. At nearly 11%, alcohol is evident but not overly. This is a decent quad.
★ 306 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Pours with a medium head and a slightly clouded golden apricot color. Smell of phenols. Mildly sweet, slightly bitter with hops evident. Tart, slightly sour cherries with a hint of grape. Toasted marshmallow finish, dates and figs. At nearly 11%, alcohol is evident but not overly. This is a decent quad.
★ 306 characters
4.72/5 rDev +15.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
11.2 oz bottle poured into a Bruery tulip.
10.7% ABV,
A - Gun smoke from the bottle and a soda-like fizz on the pour signal this quad to be effervescent. Deep honey golden, this quad is is a bit lighter than most and while slightly hazy, plenty of visible carbonation feeds the tall cap of foam that lingers for some time before crumbling to a lace-shrouded pile of small bubbles.
S - This intensely malty Belgian quad brings a thick raisin bread aroma with a crispy baked brown sugar-coated crust to the forefront of the senses, smoothing out into warming but not solventy alcohol and stone fruits. Dried apricot, plum, and suggestions of dried red apple wedge and a finish of umami.
T - Aromatically closing out with a faint umami, this savory richness is the perfect transition as the flavor begins with exactly that, gently morphing into a yeast-fueled stone fruit and spice melange. Undertones of clove and white pepper mix with sweet orange peel citrus nuances an dried apricot. Candi sugar seems to have not completely fermented out as a background of sweetness sticks to the tongue.
M - This heavily carbonated beer dances on the tongue like champagne and despite it's sweetness, dries out from warming alcohol on the finish giving it a lighter-feeling body that closes out with a sweet and umami combination that continues to contradict everything else before it with a little more heft. Gulden Draak 9000's perplexing body is constantly evolving from one sip to the next.
O - An excellent and unique quad, Gulden Draak 9000 clings to the core characteristics of this Belgian style while branching out slightly, giving it subtleties distinct to this brew. The classic fruitiness of Belgian yeast carries through the beer but I think, in part due to the secondary fermentation with wine yeast, much of it strays from the more expected darker fruit undertones while this beer delves into lighter, brighter fruits. Grab a bottle of this malty brew for the holidays, take a few minutes to quietly enjoy it and discover some of the nuanced complexities for yourself; you wont regret it!
★ 2,096 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
11.2 oz bottle poured into a Bruery tulip.
10.7% ABV,
A - Gun smoke from the bottle and a soda-like fizz on the pour signal this quad to be effervescent. Deep honey golden, this quad is is a bit lighter than most and while slightly hazy, plenty of visible carbonation feeds the tall cap of foam that lingers for some time before crumbling to a lace-shrouded pile of small bubbles.
S - This intensely malty Belgian quad brings a thick raisin bread aroma with a crispy baked brown sugar-coated crust to the forefront of the senses, smoothing out into warming but not solventy alcohol and stone fruits. Dried apricot, plum, and suggestions of dried red apple wedge and a finish of umami.
T - Aromatically closing out with a faint umami, this savory richness is the perfect transition as the flavor begins with exactly that, gently morphing into a yeast-fueled stone fruit and spice melange. Undertones of clove and white pepper mix with sweet orange peel citrus nuances an dried apricot. Candi sugar seems to have not completely fermented out as a background of sweetness sticks to the tongue.
M - This heavily carbonated beer dances on the tongue like champagne and despite it's sweetness, dries out from warming alcohol on the finish giving it a lighter-feeling body that closes out with a sweet and umami combination that continues to contradict everything else before it with a little more heft. Gulden Draak 9000's perplexing body is constantly evolving from one sip to the next.
O - An excellent and unique quad, Gulden Draak 9000 clings to the core characteristics of this Belgian style while branching out slightly, giving it subtleties distinct to this brew. The classic fruitiness of Belgian yeast carries through the beer but I think, in part due to the secondary fermentation with wine yeast, much of it strays from the more expected darker fruit undertones while this beer delves into lighter, brighter fruits. Grab a bottle of this malty brew for the holidays, take a few minutes to quietly enjoy it and discover some of the nuanced complexities for yourself; you wont regret it!
★ 2,096 characters
4.05/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
330ml bottle served just above fridge temperature into a tulip. Purchased as part of a VanSteenberge holiday pack. Pleasantly surprised as I didn't even realize this was in the pack (it was Leute Bok in past years)
Appearance - dark orange in color with Amber hues. Nice finger and change of thick white head and an impressive trail of lacing is left behind once the head eventually diminishes.
Smell - complex to start. Some butterscotch at touch of cocoa, some cherries and an inviting butterscotch and vanilla combo. Nose of butterscotch and toffee comes out as the beer warms. Some brown sugar too.
Taste - starts light and creamy with the butterscotch and brown sugar and toffee coming through. Turns boozy for a few moments before finishing with a heavy malt base. Not quite as intense on the flavor as i would expected especially when fairly cold. Dark fruits like cherry and raisin start showing up in droves as it warms.
Mouthfeel - carbonation is rather high, big and boozy and finishes dry and a bit sharp.
Overall - a good quad but not my favourite, the butterscotch and toffee and vanilla take a little while to be coaxed out of the beer and the alcohol is a bit on the sharp side. Certainly a good quad but not as good as the classic Gulden Draak which is a seriously awesome beer in its own right. Still a great addition to the holiday pack
★ 1,360 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
330ml bottle served just above fridge temperature into a tulip. Purchased as part of a VanSteenberge holiday pack. Pleasantly surprised as I didn't even realize this was in the pack (it was Leute Bok in past years)
Appearance - dark orange in color with Amber hues. Nice finger and change of thick white head and an impressive trail of lacing is left behind once the head eventually diminishes.
Smell - complex to start. Some butterscotch at touch of cocoa, some cherries and an inviting butterscotch and vanilla combo. Nose of butterscotch and toffee comes out as the beer warms. Some brown sugar too.
Taste - starts light and creamy with the butterscotch and brown sugar and toffee coming through. Turns boozy for a few moments before finishing with a heavy malt base. Not quite as intense on the flavor as i would expected especially when fairly cold. Dark fruits like cherry and raisin start showing up in droves as it warms.
Mouthfeel - carbonation is rather high, big and boozy and finishes dry and a bit sharp.
Overall - a good quad but not my favourite, the butterscotch and toffee and vanilla take a little while to be coaxed out of the beer and the alcohol is a bit on the sharp side. Certainly a good quad but not as good as the classic Gulden Draak which is a seriously awesome beer in its own right. Still a great addition to the holiday pack
★ 1,360 characters
Gulden Draak 9000 Quadruple from Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.
4.08
out of 5
based on 1,188 ratings.
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V. "Gulden Draak 9000"
330 ml brown glass bottle, production coded but without freshness dating
$5.49 @ Total Wine & More, Claymont, DE
Appearance: Hazy deep-amber/copper body beneath a creamy head of off-white.
Aroma: Malty and caramelish, backed by some mildly tart fruitiness.
Flavor: The gently tart fruitiness appears upfront before quickly opening into a wide golden caramel maltiness. The blend of the two across the middle brings about a third component in itself, and that's then followed by some delicate herbal hop notes and a light touch of spiciness which is probably from the alcohol. Despite the maltiness it finishes dry, and fairly quickly as the alcohol helps to usher out any lingering residual sugars.
Mouthfeel: Creamy and smooth with a dextrinous medium body and fine-bubbled, seemingly natural carbonation.
Overall: Unique. Not what you might expect from a quadruple because the malt is more golden. That of course leaves it with a little less complexity, but there's still enough there that it remains interesting. Completely enjoyable in and of itself, it really doesn't need to follow expectations. Why make just another Quad anyway?
★ 1,192 characters