Beer # 135 Gulden Draak

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 
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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



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Beer # 134 Augustijn

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 
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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



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Beer # 100 Piraat (Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day)

Piraat (Pirate)

Brouwerij Van Steenberge

Ertvelde, Evergem, Belguim
Independant
Srong Belgium Blonde 10.5 % ABV Brown Glass Bottle 330 ml.
$3.33 (Canadian) At LCBO ($19.95 for the 6 bottle Belgian Gift Pack)
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Ok I know... Talk Like a Pirate Day was last week. And yes, I meant to do this beer on that day... And Yes I was busy again... But we can pretend it still is? Sure we can... We are all friends here. Yarrr... On be wid der tastin'.

Brewery Van Steenberge has it's origins in 1784 as the Brewery Peer. Passed down through several Generations The current owner, Jeff Versele, is the 4x Great Grand Nephew of founder Jean Baptise De Bruin (Yes that translates to "John Baptist the Bear" Talk about an awesome wrestling name.) The brewery is the last operational one in the "Meetjesland" which is the coastal area of East Flanders in Belguim. The name literally translates to "Land of old Ladies. I could tell you why, but i can't do any better than Wikipedia:

There are many legends surrounding the origin of the name. The most known is the one of Emperor Charles V (Charles V) who was known for his sexual appetite. The story goes that when he traveled through the region people hid their daughters and their attractive young women, making emperor Charles think this region was full of old women (meetjes). Source.

'nuff said. Onto the booty...


Golden in colour with just a hint of cloudiness. Large fluffy white head made up of medium sized bubbles. Nose is sweet grainy, fruity, some banana and citrus. First sip is deep, rich, and rum-like. Quite malty and sweet... slightly sticky on the lips. However, very light tasting and effervescent, due to a small secondary fermentation in the bottle. Aeration brings out warm spicy notes and a huge shot of alcohol. Finish is mildly bitter, but refreshing.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 


Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Re-Order:  5/6 PASS
Experience:  6/6 EXCEPTIONAL

Final Thoughts:

A delightful beer. the only sticking point is the high alcohol... It actually makes one drowsy drinking it. So try this one with food. It is a well rounded and excellently balanced beer.


Cheers

CJT


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