Gulden Draak Vintage

Brewed by Brouwerij Van Steenberge
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Ertvelde, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

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Vintage 2007. The beer pours a very dark brown, cannot see through it unless it’s put up against the light. The head is initially small but pretty stronger, I am also pretty sure this went through a dishwasher last night so that is probably affecting the formation. Aroma is present with some particular spice that seems to have gone a bit over the top. Maybe it;s anise that combines with the sweetness to create a light cleaning product effect. It’s woodsy and bark-like and also pretty lively on the nose. Taste shows that the aroma is coming too much from non-malt. It’s actually kind of light with an herbal/grassy spice (again I am guessing anise but it could be over-the-top coriander). Just a bit of caramel sweetness but that is as far as the malt sweetness coming through the flavor. The carbonation is a little above average adding to the dissipating effect on the flavor. Finishes light with faint sweet dirt aftertaste. Frankly, this seems like a mailed-in attempt. I do not see what makes it "Vintage" and why it needs to be dated, since this is not a first-rate ager. But I should have expected as much from this brewer. Leaves me wanting more, however more of another beer.
750mL cork&cage, Duvel large goblet glass.

Bottle. Frothy off-white good mostly læasting head. Amber colour. Heavy malty and moderate hoppy and yeasty aroma. Moderate bitter nice fruity flavor. Average moderate bitter finish. Creamy palate. nice.

Botella de 330ml. Copa Cáliz de westmalle. Saboreada en feb´12. Color cobrizo oscuro. Espuma marfil, de burbuja amplia, y corona que se disipa con rapidez. En nariz azúcar, maltas tostadas y notas de canela. Los sabores son dulces,malteados,especiados y con un muy sutil chocolate. Cuerpo y carbonatación medios. Final seco y retrogusto afrutado –ciruelas dulces y frutos oscuros.Buena asimilación. 330ml bottle.Westmalle Chalice glass. Enjoyed on feb´12. Dark copper color.Off-white,large size bubbled,froth. Quickly dissipated crown. Sugar, toasted malts & notes of cinnamon to the nose.Flavors are sweet, malty, spicy with very subtle cocoa.Medium body,medium carbonation. Dry finish. Fruity –sweet plum & dark fruits- aftertaste.Nice drinkability.

2011 Vintage. 330 ml bottle. Purchased at 16th St. Pours reddish amber with light head. Malty nose with fruity notes. Caramel and wine flavors. Slightly sweet. Lower in alcohol that the standard Draak but still rich in flavor. A very good beer.

2009 vintage think may not age well.aroma and flavors are of belgium sugars dark fruits and very mellow.not bad just really over priced at 12 dollars a bottle.everything about this is just ok and it tastes a bit boozey for 7.5 percent.if your going to spend 12 bucks buy something else.

2008 Vintage: Pour is murky dark amber / brown with a frothy khaki head in this tulip. Nice retention, average lacing is present as well. Dominant dark fruits and caramel, and some belgian sugars. I don’t even see the point in this brew ; it’s not, like everyone says, as good as the fresher batches, so why bother aging it? The flavor profile mellows out to the point that its more muted, while the dark fruits have a slight souring feel. So more caramel, belgian sugar, mild bitterness, muted bready malts, more dark fruits... just not impressed at all -

Bottle courtesy of Lunch. Served in a snifter. 2008 vintage. Pours a medium golden color. Fairly thick with a bit of a white head. Not much lacing. The nose has a bit of sweetness and fruit with a touch of malt in the background. Flavor is fairly similar. Some caramel malt with some brown sugar. Semi sweet and a medium body. Low carbonation. Pretty good.

I was a little disapointed with it. Recently had the regular Gulden Draak and liked that one much better. Tasted of raisins and plums with a hint of spices. A little too carbonated and the flavors were muted. Not bad, but the regular Draak was better.

Pours light amber with a couple fingers white head. Light fruity aroma. Very strong red fruits. Little alcohol taste. Decent carbonation. Pretty good Belgium.

Vintage 2010 bottle. Muddy brown-amber with a tiny beige head. Aroma of caramel, ripe fruit, sugar, yeast, and alcohol. Taste is malty with a wine-like sweetness, boozy and ever so slightly metallic. Medium-full bodied without much of a finish. Not impressed.

Brown,beige head.Nose of plums,salty & sweet.Yeasty fruity palate,malty mid,medium alcohol heat,lightly spiced.