Gulden Draak (Dark Triple)
served @ Flying Saucer, Kansas City, MO into a Gulden Draak tulip For a beer that labels itself a tripel, this pours really darkly. A burnt sienna with crimson tones when held to light. It is deep but not cloudy. The white head was pretty massive on this pour, taking up more than a quarter of the tulip glass. Lacing was predictably fantastic for a head that large. This is one superb beer with respect to its aromas. Sugary sweetness lets you know that this is indeed a relative of the tripel. Once the scents distinguish themselves, you find that candied apples and cinnamon come to the fore. Some banana, nutmeg and an earthy quality not unlike damp leaves add to the pleasant complexity. If Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V. produced an air freshener or even a cologne that smells like Gulden Draak does, I would be compelled to purchase it. ;) On the palate, this beer is not as good as its nose; which isn't to say that this isn't a delicious beverage. It tastes like a typical Belgian strong in many ways, and very atypical in others. The yeast does this beer well, mixing its yummy dark fruit phenols in with the fairly rich maltiness. Light spice -- cinnamon tasting -- highlights the unique apple flavor. This beer was a touch hot from the alcohol at the temperature at which this bottle was served. I don't know if the mouthfeel could have done anything to disguise the alcohol more. It wasn't a problem, but more of a minor irritant. Either way, I appreciated that the feel was relatively thin given all of the various sweet elements of this beer. Drinkability is okay. This is a sipper for me, and something that I wouldn't want any more of on a given night than the glass that I had. I had never seen this beer until trying it last night (Flying Saucer was giving away the tulip with a purchase, natch). I'm glad that I was able to discover it for myself. It really is a great beer.