Gulden Draak is a dark heavy beer with 10.5% alcohol by volume. Gulden Draak, just like Augustijn, is a beer that undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle or in the keg.
Gulden Draak is a beer in a class of its own. It is a beer that is so rich, so glowing, so full of its very own characteristic flavor, that it reminds some who try it of chocolate and others of coffee. The English call this type of beer a Barley Wine. Gulden Draak (Golden Dragon) smells of triumph. It is a definite party beer. It is no wonder that Gulden Draak was crowned best beer in the world by the American Tasting Institute in 1998! This beer won many other awards as well.
Did you know that the Gulden Draak is named for the golden statue at the top of the clock tower of Ghent? The statue was originally given to the city of Constantinople (now Istanbul in Turkey) by the Norse king Sigrid Magnusson in 1111, during one of the first crusades; hence of course the form of a Viking ship that the beast was given. Approximately one hundred years later, Boudewijn IX, Count of Flanders, was the Emperor of Constantinople in one of the following crusades. Because he found the statue so beautiful, he simply took it back to Flanders with him. In 1382, the cities of Bruges and Ghent even did battle for this statue. And who do you think won?
Beer Ratings and Reviews:
[1] Review by jerrymorrison from lockhart, TX, USA who has tried this beer once. (10/30/2008 5:57:21 PM)
"It poured a deep amber body, not much carbonation or head to speak of, minimal lace left behind. Aroma was a plesant mix of sweet fruit that reminded me of bubble gum, also rasins, fig, and caramel. The taste followed the aroma but the alcohol was hidden quite well. Overall i thought this was a pretty good brew and i would certianly try it again.
"
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.9)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 750ml @ $10 Unit Cost: $6.31 per Pint
[2] Review by jcfalbany from Albany, NY, USA who has tried this beer a couple times. (8/29/2008 11:27:26 PM)
"I have had this wonderful beer several times in a bottle and several on tap. If you can find on draft, go for it! A nice dark beer with minimal head, slight sweet fruity flavor and almost no alchol taste. Overall GREAT!"
Aroma:
10/10
Appearance:
9/10
Mouthfeel:
9/10
Flavor:
10/10
Overall:
10/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.8)
Sampled: Forced Draught Sample Size: 12oz @ $6 Unit Cost: $8 per Pint
[3] Review by beerdog from Delta, BC, Canada who has tried this beer once. (8/15/2008 12:48:37 PM)
"Why, this name translates to "Golden Dragon" (duh). It just twigged on me as I waited for the colossal frothy tan head of at least eight fingers to subside. Great so far, and the dark amber body was also a delight. Lots of spices and dark fruit treated my nose, and the palate was pleased by a very similar taste. Sweet but not overly so, and a good solid mouthfeel to boot."
Aroma:
9/10
Appearance:
9/10
Mouthfeel:
9/10
Flavor:
9/10
Overall:
9/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.5)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 11.2oz @ $2.73 Unit Cost: $3.9 per Pint
[4] Review by bigred00 from buffalo, NY, USA who has tried this beer a couple times. (7/17/2008 6:10:10 PM)
"Presentation: It was poured from a white painted 330ml or 11.2oz bottle into a tulip glass.
Appearance: It is a dark hazy liquid that is a deep mahogany color with an abundance of small bubbles that form a thick head. The head is light tan in color and has great retention time.
Smell: The aroma has a sweet and fruity character with yeast and a definite alcohol presence.
Taste/Mouth feel: Up front I get a light sting of tart fruit, sour cherry and yeast that quickly turns sweet and malty. More dark sweet fruits come out now like figs, raison and prune mixed with Belgian candy sugar. The alcohol starts to add some warmth and some herbal hops are detected as it heads to the finish were it turns fairly dry. It is well carbonated yet smooth and full bodied.
Notes: This is an excellent Belgian Strong Dark Ale with all the complexity and strength that I love in Belgian ales.
"
Aroma:
9/10
Appearance:
10/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
9/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.4)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 330ml @ $3.5 Unit Cost: $5.02 per Pint
[5] Review by pfoxyjohn from Watertown, WI, USA who has tried this beer once. (7/1/2008 10:36:53 PM)
"An absolutely wonderful beer. A beautiful billowy pour into the Gulden Draak tulip. A dense, foamy tan head above a glistening dark ruby body. The billowy head remains throughout, and provides great lacing. The aromas are very fresh and complex; malt, yeast, dark fruit and spice. Mouthfeel is satiny and full. Deep rich flavors of sweet malt, dark cherry, plums raisins, brown sugar. Long, rich, warming finish. Delicious! MUSIC: Með Suð í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust by Sigur Rós"
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
10/10
Mouthfeel:
9/10
Flavor:
10/10
Overall:
9/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.6)
Sampled: Bottle
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
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(3.9)
