Gouden Carolus Cuvée van de Keizer Imperial Dark (Blauw Label)
Brouwerij Het Anker in Mechelen, Antwerp, Belgium 🇧🇪
Belgian Style - Quadrupel / Dark Strong Regular|
Score
8.05
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Every year on the 24th of February, the birthday of "Charles the fifth", the Brewery brews the Gouden Carolus "Cuvee of the Emperor" in a limited quantity and with an eye on the highest quality and tradition. This unique brewing, with only extra fine Belgian hops and with a higher alcohol level, guarantees a better evolution in the time, than the already known Gouden Carolus Classic. The 75cl bottles are closed with a quality cork. Excellent to store several years. This exceptional ale ages well, developing a refined complexity and intense aromas. With powerful notes of roasted malts, caramel and plums, its surprisingly soft and fruity aroma combines a warm roundness with a refreshing taste. An imperial brew to cherish and enjoy in moderation.
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7.5/10
—
Appearance 7
Aroma 7.5
Flavor 7.5
Texture 7
Overall 8
Sample courtesy of Grumbo, cheers Graham! Chestnut brown colour, some bubbles on top and aroma of caramel, candy, brown sugar, dried fruits. Taste is sweet, malty, caramel, toffee, butterscotch, fruit cake, fig, with yeasty hints and mellow bitterness. Medium bodied, soft carbonation, drying sweetish caramel and light boozy bitter at the finish. Nicely drinkable.
Tried
on 22 Mar 2026
at 17:30
7.4/10
—
Appearance 10
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 7
Overall 7
C: chestnut brown
N: candied sugar, caramel, creme brulee, light vanilla, malty sweetness
P: med bodied, flat, caramel, mild roasted malt, light toffee, quite mellowed out, alcohol completely tucked away.
N: candied sugar, caramel, creme brulee, light vanilla, malty sweetness
P: med bodied, flat, caramel, mild roasted malt, light toffee, quite mellowed out, alcohol completely tucked away.
Tried
from Bottle
on 02 Mar 2026
at 19:49
7.6/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7.5
Flavor 7.5
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
Panda at home, thanks to Graham Grumbo, 31/01/2026.
Deep mahogany brown topped with a light beige cap that thins to a swirl.
Nose is toffee, herb, dark fruit rinds, spice, light yeast flicker.
Taste comprises caramel, fruit cake mix, herb, brown sugar melt, spice, dates, fixes.
Medium bodied with bite, fine carbonation, semi drying close with a light rip of booze.
Solid.
Deep mahogany brown topped with a light beige cap that thins to a swirl.
Nose is toffee, herb, dark fruit rinds, spice, light yeast flicker.
Taste comprises caramel, fruit cake mix, herb, brown sugar melt, spice, dates, fixes.
Medium bodied with bite, fine carbonation, semi drying close with a light rip of booze.
Solid.
Tried
on 31 Jan 2026
at 16:22
7.6/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7.5
Flavor 7.5
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
A deep dark reddish brown ale with a thin lacing mocha head. In aroma, sweet fruity caramel malt with dark fruits, licorice, alcohol warmth, very nice. In mouth, a nice biscuit caramel malt with light dark fruits, light mineral notes, alcohol warmth, very nice.
Tried
from Bottle
on 24 Jan 2026
at 23:38
8.5/10
Tried
from Bottle
on 10 Jan 2026
at 20:44
8/10
—
Appearance 7
Aroma 8.5
Flavor 8.5
Texture 7
Overall 8
10/1/2026. Bottle at ITFC Beer share. From Worldwide Alcohol, Chelmsford. Jaargang 2015, carefully aged in the cellar for many years up to its bb date. Really developed well. Dried fruits, toffee, biscuit, sweet malts, bready, brioche. Taste is quite sweet, rich, warming, a little boozy. Full bodied, smooth, soft carbonation. Liked this.
Tried
from Bottle
on 10 Jan 2026
at 20:43
8.3/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 9
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
Tried
from Bottle
on 10 Jan 2026
at 20:42
8.3/10
—
Appearance 7
Aroma 8.5
Flavor 8.5
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
Mørk rødbrun klar med beige skum. Lukter mørk sirup og sjokolade. Fyldig. Søt. Smaker mørk sirup, belgisk gjær, noe kaffe og toffee. Middels lang.
Tried
on 10 Jan 2026
at 16:40
6.8/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 6.5
Texture 7
Overall 7
Tried
on 15 Nov 2025
at 20:50
9.8/10
—
Appearance 10
Aroma 10
Flavor 9.5
Texture 10
Overall 9.5
Vintage 2010. Drink in late 2025.. Many thanks for the Bottle to Eric De Geyter (Belgium's Best in Wrzesnia) 15 lat przetrzymane i starzone w specjalnej orginalnej skrzynce z wypalonym napisem Gouden Carolus. No super najstarsze z dotychczasowych 3 wersji a mialo najlepsza piane, co widac na zdjeciu, winne czerwone, burgundowe refleksy, winne, korzenne, lekko wedzone pyszne, do sera typu cheddar wysmienicie pasowalo. Przepiekna malowana butelka tym razem bez etykiety, ze zloceniami i solidnym korkiem
Tried
from Bottle
on 19 Oct 2025
at 20:55