Gouden Carolus Cuvee Van De Keizer Blauw/Blue

Wow!! nose of banana, cherries, anis, and vanilla in the bottle. pours clear with light head, some lingering lace. nose in the glass also yields yeast, caramel, other citrus - very aromatic! nice body, sweet but not overly. only cloying suggestions of the 11% juiice. hints of dark fruit. This is a 2006 bottle. Brought it back from Brussels with me

2005 vintage. Pours a fairly clear burgundy-brown with ruby red highlights. Creates a beige thick, rocky head which maintains a thin covering throughout the glass. Lots of sticky web-like lacing as snifter drains. Incredibly rich, intense aromas of brandy-soaked dried dark friuts, plums, cherries, brown sugar, bubblegum and oak all amped up by a big alcohol punch. Mouthfeel is well balanced; smooth, full and silky with a pleasant spritzy carbonation. Big and round for a 10%’er. Flavors very similar to the nose. Head spiningly sweet intense notes of brandy soaked black cherries, raisins, figs, caramel and plums. Just a hint of anise, wood and spice in the background. The 10% abv comes to the rescue here with a faint hop presence to prevent this superb Belgian from becoming too cloyingly sweet. In the final analysis a rich, pleasing, complex and very warming slow sipper to be enjoyed on a cool winter night.

I had no idea what I was getting myself in to. Let me rephrase....I wish I’d known what I was getting myself in to when I received this ale from Brando as a "holiday" gift. This Belgian Ale was a huge jump for me from the likes of Stella Artois or Chimay, neither of which should be compared to this beer of Belgian beers. The nose is sweet and reeks of plum, apple and impending dryness. Interesting, to say the least. The first couple sips were overbearing, to say the least. Once I adjusted, strong flavors of plum remained, but carrying along flavors of mollasses and brown sugar. Maybe some dark cherry? Wallop! The bannana description comes up short for moi, but coriander and a spicey, dry finish wrap this belgian so nicely for me. Definitely have a couple in the cellar for a couple of years. BIG thanks to bigsilky for this great CHRISTMAS gift. Your anti-’merican comments at the bar certainly don’t detract from your beer knowledge.

<i>Vintage 2006</i>. Ruby brown, clear, with a white creamy head. Mellow aroma with some roasted tones and raisins. Very smooth in the mouth. Sweet flavor that mixes well with notes of dried fruit, raisins, plums and toffee, all carried up by alcohol warmth. Very nice, at least in small quantities (shared the bottle with two others).

The 25.4 ounce amber bottle poured a beautiful, crystal clear garnet beverage with a creamy ample off white head that was entirely lasting and left beautiful lacing on the glass. The aromas sweet and candy like. There was bubble gum and cotton candy first with an earthy undertone. The body was full with a soft carbonation and a wonderful creamy texture on the palate. The flavor starts off quite sweet and stays that way throughout the long warming finish. It was like sipping a wonderful glass of sweet brandy. WOW.

nice nose that is sweet yet tart. good appearance is dark reddish brown. flavor makes me wish i had let this one age for awhile. flavor is of sweet plums and raisons, overall too sweet to reveal any complexities. i imagine this would be impressive in a year or two.

Pours a ruddy brown, with nice ruby tones when held up to the light. Scant head of cream colored foam. The ring around the glass leaves decent lacing. Fruity aroma - with lots of plum and some cherry. And brown sugar. And molasses. The taste is similar to the aroma - very fruity - again with mostly plum. I also taste a tart cranberry flavor. Then the maltiness is like a Christmastime goodie - something like rum-soaked sweetbread. Mild molasses and something like raisin in the finish. Medium bodied, deceptive alcohol content. A phenominal beer.

2006. Rich, warm aroma of mild hazelnut, clove, chocolate, and some alcohol. Flavor very similar, but with some toasted caramel and a bit more nuttiness. Alcohol warmth in the finish lingers in the back of the throat and into the belly. The mouthfeel is exceptionally creamy. This is a really great beer.