Brouwerij Het Anker Gouden Carolus Cuvée Van De Keizer Rood (2014) – Belgian Strong Pale Ale at 10% ABV | 17 IBU (C$13.49 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 750 ml, best before 24-Jun-2017, acquired 1-Mar-2015, reviewed 7-Jul-2020)
Appearance: clear deep gold with one fat finger of rocky white head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: apple, stone fruit, candi sugar, white grape, hint of banana, spices. (9/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-low bitter. (9/10) Palate: medium slightly slick body, moderate carbonation, sticky long warming slightly spicy finish. (4/5)
Dammit, I miss Belgium. This is generally classed as a BSPA, but it could just as easily be a sweet Tripel of the style sometimes encountered there. Any way you slice it, it’s slick, sweet, and lively, and betrays very little of its double-digit ABV until you start to go cross-eyed. I was convinced I had tried this before, but digging through my notes comes up empty. Thus, I apparently have no experience with a fresh baseline, but I’m guessing this has changed very little, if at all, during its six years in the bottle. I’m also of the opinion that the purported BB date is pure nonsense, because with it more than three years in the rear view mirror, this is still very drinkable indeed, exhibiting no negative effects of age at all. (17/20)
8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
