Gulden Draak

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

Like Piraat from the same family, I have to give this beer a perfect score. It’s description is perfect. It certainly is a beer that you ’eat’. It has a wonderful round, full taste and aroma. Definately one of my favorites.

UPDATED: AUG 6, 2011 This has been an early favorite since back when I was just beginning to learn about Belgian beer. Sampled from a 11.2 oz white bottle this fine brew poured a ruby-mahogany color with a large tan head. The aroma is sweet and has elements of ripe cherries, berries and molasses. There is a light hop aroma and a note of alcohol on the nose. The flavor is rich dark malts, ripe fruit, molasses, light hops and a noticeable but not overwhelming alcohol burn. In all an exceptional brew that I wish I could afford more often. Also of note the draft is available to me locally but I find that it is significantly lacking in character compared to the bottle however it does lack the alcohol scent and taste that is present in the bottle. A fine draft but an incredible bottle. Liquid glory!

I was really excited about this one. Gulden Draak= Golden Dragon? I guess so. Imagine if you will sitting in a seedy German bierhaus(I know this beer is not German, but humor me)and the bartender asks in a stern voice: "Vat vill ju dreenk?" In a shaky voice you reply: "Gulden Draak". All eyes shift to you and whispers echo around the bar: "Gulden Draak, Gulden Draak..." and it builds up to a spirited chant, with drunken Germans beating on the tables in unison. "GULDEN DRAAK! GULDEN DRAAK!" You are nervous, and suddenly a crazed German man in a golden Speedo charges out from the kitchen headed to your table with madness in his eyes... except it is not a dude in a Speedo, but the most amazing beer I have had so far. A beautiful hazy golden brown color with a lively white head. Aromas of cloves, bananas, oranges, caramel, and everything delicious, such a complex palate. Tastes of bananas, tropical fruit, unrivaled zesty citrus, sweet caramel, and everything you ever wanted your dream beer to be like. I can imagine myself just ordering three of these nifty white bottles to keep me busy all night. Boozy aftertaste, well hidden by the sweetness, there is also a great candied apple aftertaste here that is truly unique. My favorite beer. Try it.

had my first taste 2 jan 2011.i think i’m in love!!!!!!!

La Gulden Draak è una forte birra rifermentata in bottiglia prodotta in Belgio. Alla vista si presenta con un colore rosso carico tendente al bruno e dai riflessi accesi; la schiuma abbondante assume invece un color panna/nocciola. Il gusto di questa birra è forte e pungente; la frizzantezza seppur accentuata, non è fastidiosa. In bocca, in un primo momento si sprigiona un forte sapore alcoolico con un accento dolciastro e mielato, note predominanti di liquirizia che va scemando in cacao e vaniglia. Dopo averla sorseggiata permane in bocca un tono amarognolo ed alcoolico.

Poured from a 750ml corked and caged at Euclid Hall into a tuplip glass. A: Perfect brown with a nice latte colored head that starts high but fades in time. Fantastic lacing and tight bubbles. S: Caramel and toffee up front but not too sweet. Plums and dark fruit follow and intices the senses. You can pickup bannana notes from the yeast as well. T: Caramel up front and toffee to finish. Now the finish is very very long and the flavor is a bit fleeting. Makes you want to keep sipping honestly. Warm and slightly booze on the back of the throat. Great hints of dark plum and cherries for fruit and the caramelized malts for the sweetness. Has a nice bite too. M: This is a full bodied beer for sure! The carbination is perfect as is the balance of this beer between heavy and sweet. The finish lingers but the fruit dies fast forcing you to keep sipping, i love it. D: This is an amazing beer and one that should be put on a pedastal for Belgium beers. This is a sipper and one that should be shared amongst friends over a fire in leather chairs smoking a stoggie. I would give this beer as a gift to anyone I truly cared about and share it with only those that could appreciate it.

What can I say, everything about this Triple is perfection. Light head, multiple layers of flavor, beautiful appearance, sweet aftertastes, everything I want in an ale. Be forewarned, however, it does not travel well if not maintained at the proper temperature (I prefer mine at ~10C, any colder and the flavor is ruined).

it is simply the best beer I’ve ever tasted, it surpasses them all ! It has aromas of banana and caramel, it reaches its full potential for temperature not too cold (more than 8 ° C indicated on the bottle)