Gulden Draak
Brouwerij Van Steenberg
Lindenlaan, Ertvelde, Belgium
Independent (Distributed by SAB Miller)
Belgian Red Ale 10.5 % ABV Brown Glass Bottle 330 ml
$3.33(Canadian) At LCBO
Twitter: Not found
Another quick one from the archives. This one has held up beautifully and probably could age much longer. Flavours were bright and vibrant.
Onto the Tasting.
Dark hazy chestnut in colour. off tan head comprised of medium sized bubbles. Licorice, charred malt, turbinado sugar, whiskey, vanilla and oak. Sweet, sugary, malt, wood, oak, spice. Some maple, hints of citrus. Profile is similar to a rye whiskey, notes of chocolate, and smoky on the finish. Aeration is a burst of alcohol, smoky peaty, chocolate , and sweet turbinado sugar.
Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional
Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 5/6 PASS
Re-Order: 5/6 PASS
Experience: 5/6 PASS
Final Thoughts:
A big bold beer. The alcohol hits you late and does not detract from the flavours. A good food beer, But I would certainly drink this on it's own as well (just not too many...)
Cheers CJT
Follow me on Twitter: @pintjockey
Augustijn
Brouwerij Van Steenberg
Lindenlaan, Ertvelde, Belgium
Independent (Distributed by SAB Miller)
Belgian Golden Ale 7.0 % ABV Brown Glass Bottle 330 ml
$3.33(Canadian) At LCBO
Twitter: Not found
Another beer from the Fridge of Fame. Part of a Belgian beer collection I got a while ago. Luckily for me most good Belgian beers can stand a little age in the bottle, and this one was no exception. It opened with a big spurt which I discovered was from being left on the lees for a secondary fermentation. There was no real spillage. There was a small amount of sediment that posed no problem to pouring. This particular beer has been brewed in Belgium since 1295 with only one recipe rework in 1978 when the main production of the beer was handed over to the current brewery from the Augustinian Monks. The taste profile was balanced slightly and it was redesigned to undergo a secondary fermentation in the bottle.
Anyway... onto the tasting.
Dark rich golden colour with a bright white head, very large and made of small bubbles. Aromas of yeast, fresh bread, and light malt. First sip is citrusy, good malt, snappy, effervescent. Alcohol is noticeable but not overwhelming. Taste is rich , grainy, and light. There is some spice, clove and cinnamon. Aeration gives us toasty warm bread notes, and a hit of the alcohol.
Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional
Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 5/6 PASS
Re-Order: 5/6 PASS
Experience: 5/6 PASS
Final Thoughts:
I may have let this one age a bit too long. The fruity flavours are a tad muted. However, this is still a nice well rounded beer with lots going for it. This beer can honestly be enjoyed for up to 2 years after the production date... but, I wouldn't wait that long.
CheersCJT
Follow me on Twitter: @pintjockey
