Gouden Carolus Hopsinjoor

Brewed by Brouwerij Het Anker
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Mechelen, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

The Tubes said it best. "what a beauty". This one pours with a skyscraper creamy head that lasts. The color is hazed creamy yellow. Aromas are strong with meaty banana cream and other tropicals. Full nectar with superb carbonation. This brew is balanced with a crazy delicious tropical malt backbone and a citrus pulp aspirin hop that cuts through the blubber. The finish lingers long and steady. It’s so rich yet balanced I could drink it all night long. As I sip and it warms the Hopsinjoor never diminishes. A solid classic. Trump!

Perfect appearance. A light orange colored beer with a massive head that could only come from Belgium. Frothy, fully developed, huge head that forms great shapes, laces and lasts very well. Nose is alarmingly vibrant and full of hop (spice, peach, lemon) and nice yeast derived smells (farmhouse, leather.) Flavor is devastatingly complex and utterly amazing. Was expecting something good after reading Ernest’s and Jeff’s reviews, but this is beyond good. Starts off dry, peppery, spicy and all hop accented, then settles into an amazingly well extracted vinous-like range of flavors, which leads into the finish that lasts for at least 10 seconds. Wasn’t expecting to be blown away by a beer tonight, but was.

Pours amber with a nice lingering white head. Smells of dry malt, spice, pepper, pine, some citrus, hints of sugar. Tastes grassy and earthy with some peppery splashes and a dry malty finish. One of their best beers.

Excited to try this one, found it in an 11.2 ounce bottle. Bottle says 50 IBUs, 4 types of European hops (Golding, Spalt, Hallertau, and Saaz). Poured into my Duvel glass with a gigantic head, another uncontrollable Belgian head. Once the gigantic foam pilliar rose to the top I used the remaining liquid to form some nice fluffy mountains of joy on top. It takes forever to recede, which is good because I will be enjoying this brew somewhere near its optimal temperature. As the head recedes it leaves some fluffy but intricate lacing that sticks until your finished. It is a nice hazy pale blonde color, love the appearance. Smell is another winner. On the nose are some very spicy hops with some nice tropical fruitiness and sweet malts. Incredible hoppiness on the tounge, BUT, with an explosion of Belgian spices, sugar, and yeast. It starts out with some great bitter hops, then leads into a triple-like spice with some candi sugar/yeasty sweetness. There is also some tasty tropical fruit in there ,too, and I think runs beautifully with the bright, potent hops. Has a nice mouthfeel and seemingly endless drinkablity, wow. It is every person’s dream right? A strong, elegant Belgian pale ale twisted with an IPA, gotta love the Belgian IPA. I really love this beer, a classic. Serving type: bottle Reviewed on: 08-17-2009 00:55:14

330 ml bottle from a KW group private order. this is orval without the brett. pils malt, lotsa hops. super dry, very complex. orval without brett, almost perfect.

Bottle 330ml. Exceptional, great yeasty aromas, well balanced with malt and hops. Aromas of bread, biscuit, and even cheese. Taste starts sweet and malty, with sour notes, and bitterness taking over for a long finish. Cloudy yellow, with a frothy head.

Oh my gosh, is this good beer! Lawd gawdamighty. Didn’t take much to pour a huge finely frothed off white head and some lace. Color is a cloudy amber. Aroma is spicey, hoppy, malty, very yeasty, and a hint of phenol. Flavor’s about the same. Great body and supreme carbonation. Great bitter finish. Make a good apertif. No apparent alcohol. Killer burps.

Banana, marshmallow creme, and lemon aroma. Perfect! Cloudy yellow, thick head, beautiful lacing. Banana creme flavor with a lemon grass and thyme finish. Slight funk is detectable. Over-carbonated and that’s the only thing negative I can say about it. Exquisite!