Gulden Draak

Brewed by Brouwerij Van Steenberge
Style: Abt/Quadrupel
Ertvelde, Belgium

Ruby to dark brown in color with a foamy, even lather like, head. Little lace. Aroma is toffee, chocolate, dark fruit (figs, plums), caramel, sweet licorice, possibly orange peel. Carbonated and crispy light to the palate. I was quite perplexed at the first zip as it was so complex and full of flavor. There were hints of dark chocolate, licorice, apple… I would further never had guessed at the 10,5% strength. Nice bitter aftertaste.

This one is a full-bodied, full-flavored Belgian ale with a strong taste and hit on the palate. It’s a beer-meal, and because I didn’t eat dinner last night it hit the spot. Strong flavors of raisins, toffee, and caramel with a hint of alcohol.

The white bottle threw me off a little. I wasn’t expecting such a great beer. It poured and the "thickness" could be seen right away. The malt flavors of carmel, coffee and toffee could be tasted. Only a slight hint of the high alcohol content. One of my new favorites.

Bottle - Nice sweet smell, also scented yeast and a little alchol, some caraml (maybe the color is just making me think that) and maybe some hop. Fruity sweet taste. Thick mouthfeel, but enjoyable, maybe a desert beer to cap off other beers. Maybe an initial alcohol taste that disappears and taken over by the sweetness, some kind of apple or raisen spice. I like it verymuch, maybe to overpowering for some. But i prefer to be overpowered by a quality receipe than overpowered by hops like an IPA. Very good beer! One of my favorite Belguims so far.

Dark brown pour with big head and some lacing. Aroma is sweet and yeasty with alcohol. Taste is like the aroma. Dark ripe fruit, yeast and alcohol. Surprisingly well balanced for a triple. Will drink again.

I think I had a bad bottle. Dark chestnut brown in color, HUGE over-foaming cream colored head, fragrant tones of brandy. However the taste was extremely acidic and overwhelmed my palate to the point that I was unable to drink another beer the entire night.

Dark brown with faint orange highlights and a medium thick head with moderate lacing and minimal retention. Very full rich aroma of dark ripe fruit, yeast, bread dough, chocolate and caramel. Equally thick and sharp palate at the start, thins out a bit as you drink it then very light hops at the end. Wonderful. As it warms the alcohol shows up and this becomes like brandy. Dang this is a good 6 pack of beer with 6 different beers from this brewer.

Bottle. Dark brown with amber ruby edges; tan head with larger bubbles. Doppelbock, dunkel aroma, roast chocolate, caramelization. Acidic carbonation evident at first sip. Yeast character is present but subdued compared to other Belgian ales. Flavor is deep and complex with some raisin, alcohol, dark crystal, some straw or earth notes. Balanced. Excellent when served at cellar temps, becomes smoother. Very warming. Very excellent brew.