Better Drinking

As previously reported, February 24th is the day when Gouden Carolus Grand Cru is brewed. Brian and I drank some tonight, 2005 vintage, though we don't particularly care anything about the Holy Roman Emperor. This is one year old beer that was just fantastic. And of course, the fellowship with good friends was great.

What did you do this evening?

About two weeks ago, in anticipation of our upcoming Belgian tasting event, I went and bought several unique beers so that I would be taste-educated for my attendees. This beer is a Flanders Oud Bruin, which translated is "old brown". Even more translated, this would be somewhat akin to an old ale, though in the sour Belgian style. Not as a sour as a Lambic and not as funky as a Flanders Red, this is a really interesting style that I found personally quite good.

The Goudenbond is lovely to look at, hand-wrapped in tissue paper, printed with the brewery and beer name. The bottle itself is reminiscent of a wine bottle, purple label with all the usual information, including a 8% ABV warning. Mine was a 375ml bottle (12oz is 355ml) and I now know why there is an extra 20 ml in the bottle (see appearance).

Pours a dirty-looking reddish-brown color with a decent head that dissipates quickly. Before I knew what I was doing, the bottom of the bottle yielded an amazing amount of sludge that quickly clouded up the beer even more. The large chunks of scum (that's really the best way to describe them) did not sink to the bottom, but hovered in suspension. For the uninitiated, it might seem like a bad thing, but it did not affect the taste and that gunk contains all kinds of good vitamins and yeast. So, here's to the health of the drinker!

A sweet, funky, and undefined fruitiness arises from the glass. Perhaps a bit of woody, but definitely fruity and definitely funky, though not as strong as a Lambic or Flanders Red.

The mouthfeel was right in the middle of thick and thin, with only wisps of carbonation. Not flat mind you, but definitely only minimal effervescence.

A very complex taste - sweet and fruity, cherries and grapes coming through, balanced with a mild sourness and a woody flavor. The alcohol is completely hidden and never manifested itself in flavor, though the effects were felt by bottle-end.

Refreshing without being airy or light, complex without being unapproachable. A great Belgian beer and one of my new picks for special occasion beers. Drink, enjoy, repeat.

Labels: beer reviews