Gouden Carolus Noël (Christmas)

bomber corked and caged poured a thick looking brown red in color with a tan layer of foam on the beer. smell is yeast, plumb, alcohol, spice, pine, and some sweetness. the taste is really quite smooth, midrange on mouth feel, and finishes with a spicy alcohol snap. quite a layer of dried dark fruits like figs and plums, definitely some sweetness but not in a way that is over the top, many interesting subtle flavors like anise and licorice, and there is a light bit of mint. very interesting beer that warmed on me, perhaps because i drank the whole bomber myself.

2003 vintage on tap at Lucky Baldwin’s. Coffee with cream color and a creamy off white head. Aroma of caramel, tobacco, leather, and spice. Creamy palate. Amaretto liquor taste with a touch of orange and clove, tobacco in the finish and a lingering warmth.

750, corked and baled. Pours nearly black with a moussy tan head of unremarkable depth. Nice figgy, roasty, green-apple-y nose, with maybe a bit of cardboard taint in there but scarcely at all. Nice soft velvety body with subdued carb and gentle flavors. Figs in the lead, prunes, other tree fruits. Some light caramely sugary sweetness. Gentle, soft finish. Lovely stuff I’d happily drink anytime.

0.33 l bottle. Pours dark brown body with smaller brown head. Wonderful aroma of caramel mixed with lot of things like punch, vanilla, some fruits etc. Flavor isn’t any worser, very full, alcohol is not felt at all, a bit sweetish. Palate also without complaints. Low carbonation fits well on thins one. Nice long finish. Alcohol is felt only after finishing the bottle. Oh yeah, almost perfect beer!

750ml bottle. Pours dark copper color with brown head. Aroma is sweet, caramel and spicey. Taste of caramel and malt with clean finsih.

Garrafa, 330 ml, em 2007 e em agosto de 2008. Coloração avermelhada, escura, creme bege denso e persistente, deixando uma fina camada perene. Excelente aroma: malte torrado, frutas vermelhas e fermento. Final levemente amargo e torrado. Consistência aveludada, densa. Cerveja complexa, encorpada e harmoniosa. Carbonatação média-baixa, muito boa. Álcool muito bem inserido no conjunto: presente, mas equilibrado.

Name: Gouden Carolus Noel
Date: December 31, 2003
Mode: Bottle Conditioned
Source: Whole Foods Market, DC
Vintage: 2003
Appearance: muddy brown, easily excitable thin tan head
Aroma: big complex malt aroma with lots of candy sweetness, licorice, ripe fruit, and a hint of spices showing up in a mild alcohol fume
Flavor: rich malt flavor with lots of complex character including chocolate, plums, and raisons, no bitterness but well balanced to keep it from being too sweet, a fine way to end the year

Name: Gouden Carolus Noel
Date: May 15, 2007
Mode: bottle
Source: cellar stock
Vintage: 2003
Score: 5.0 to 4.8
Appearance: specks of drippy lace
Aroma: such wonder ripe fruit aroma and light spices like rum soaked fruit cake
Flavor: rich flavor with caramel, chocolate, and lots of ripe fruit, tons of complex flavor, light balancing bitterness, sweetness has dried a bit but still incredably big and rich, the yeast shot adds a bready character and enrichens the chocolate but detracts from the fruit

Name: Gouden Carolus Noel
Date: December 25, 2008
Mode: bottle
Source: cellar stock
Vintage: 2003
Aroma: rich sweet fruity aroma, lots of ripe plum, brown sugar sweetness
Flavor: rich and fruity flavor, light spicyness, brown sugar sweetness, deep rich fruits
Overall: a few years of age does this beer proud

Aroma: 9/10; Appearance: 9/10; Flavor: 9/10; Palate: 9/10; Overall: 19/20
Rating: 4.7/5.0
Drinkability: 10/10
Score: ***4

Name: Gouden Carolus Noel
Date: December 18, 2005
Vintage: 2005
Words: Christmas

One of the better Christmas ales that I have had in quite some time. Aroma of dark fruits and spice (plums, raisins, currants and nutmeg). A hint of sweet on the palate but not over powering. Thick rich and heavy, something to enjoy on a cold winters night.