Gouden Carolous 9.0% Belgian Ale 24 x 330mL Bottles - BBD 24 JAN 2027

The Beer

Het Anker has been brewing the Gouden Carolus Classic since 1962 and it is still based on the recipe used in that year. The roots of this beer go all the way back to the Mechelsen Bruynen, the city beer brewed when the 16th-century Emperor Charles V was in power.

The local brewers’ guild introduced the Groot Keizersbier – the beer of the Great Emperor. It was popular when the fox hunt was in full swing and contributed to the convivial atmosphere of local celebrations.

The latter still applies today. The beer’s name is a reference to the golden coins of the imperial reign.

This classic brewed by Het Anker is a strong, dark, top-fermented beer. Gouden Carolus Classic is brewed with caramel malts, aromatic malts and Belgian hops. It is a complex degustation beer that can be laid down for a few years at least.

1999 saw the introduction of the strong dark Cuvée van de Keizer Blauw (blue) which is based on the Gouden Carolus Classic.

In addition, the Gouden Carolus range includes a triple, an amber beer (Ambrio), an Imperial IPA (Hopsinjoor), a Christmas beer (Christmas) and the strong blonde Cuvée van de Keizer Rood (red).

An experimental beer range under the name of Gouden Carolus Indulgence was introduced in 2015. The concept: to add one specific, different ingredient to each annual edition.

The first beer in the range is infused with whisky. In 2013 a Single Malt whisky was launched under the Gouden Carolus name. It is produced in the brewery’s own distillery, De Molenberg, just a few kilometres down the road from the main site.

Alcohol:  8.5% ABV

Fermentation: Top-fermented beer.

Ingredients: Brewed with natural ingredients: Water, yeast, caramel malts, aromatic malts and Belgian hops.

Colour & Transparency: Gouden Carolus Classic has a ruby-red colour in the glass and shows a delicate pearlisation underneath a cloud of froth.