Gulden Draak (Dark Triple) - Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V. - Ertvelde, Belgium (43/47) - BeerAdvocate
Ratings: 2541Reviews: 1169rAvg: 4.23
Ratings: 2,541 | Reviews: 1,169 | Show All Ratings: blitz134California4.08/5 rDev -3.5%look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4Ive had this one in the cabinet for a little while now and finally decided to pop the cap on this one to celebrate the end of a day of working on a project paper. Little victories are what really matter in the long run.
Mouthfeel is quite awesome. It seems almost chewy while still seeming light bodied in a way. Drinkability is brought down a bit with how much the alcohol sensation lingers. Not a session beer by anymeans, but something Ill be sure to return to.Serving type: bottle04-24-2005 05:12:52 | More by blitz134OatherSKansas3.38/5 rDev -20.1%look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3Short stubby white bottle with a black label with a gold dragon on the front and cap. 330 cL bottle.
Taste/Drinkability: A nice malty flavor that is a little bit too strong and striking for my tastes.Serving type: bottle04-20-2005 01:42:40 | More by OatherSAlexJNorth Carolina3.98/5 rDev -5.9%look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5Sampled from a 750, the beer is darker than I imagined, almost a glowing caramel brown. The head is explosive, and ridiculously thick with staying power that is not often seen. Lacing is a spectacle itself with clinging sheets of beige hued clumps.
Mouthfeel is large, full, and sticky. Yet is finishes with a deliacte dryness that is unexpected. Not an everyday beer for sure. But a welcome change when you're in the mood.Serving type: bottle04-17-2005 22:02:34 | More by AlexJzao77Ohio4.08/5 rDev -3.5%look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5The first thing I look at when pouring beer is its head and how sustaining it is. It didn't really matter how slow I poured this beer, I still had to let it set for awhile just to see any beer at the bottom. The head is extremely thick and isn't tamed too easily. The smell is quite pleasent presenting a variety of fruits and traces of honey. The taste brings the honey straight out and I could swear I tasted some vanilla.
The main reason I gave this a 3.5 in drinkability is mostly due to its sweet nature. It's like eating too much pecan pie. It tastes really good at first bite but it is just too rich to eat the whole pie. I will have to say that like wine, it gives you a great relaxed feeling.Serving type: bottle04-12-2005 19:33:37 | More by zao77Citadel82New Jersey4.5/5 rDev +6.4%look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5Presentation Bone white stubby 330ml bottle with the Global Beer Network seal on the label. No date visible.
This is a beer for the one beer a night plan. I cannot imagine tasting anything after this one. There is nothing subtle about this brew. It assaults your senses and takes no prisoners. Like sipping a fortified wine or a dry cordial. A night cap of a brew if there is a such a class.Serving type: bottle04-12-2005 02:31:00 | More by Citadel82MuddyFeetNorth Carolina4.03/5 rDev -4.7%look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5Liquid pumpernickel. The beer looks like liquified pumpernickel and smells like it. Filtered mud. There was a thick and stubborn head on top. The nose is bready and yeasty. The taste is very fruity--but dried and earthy fruits like raisins, prunes, apples, apricots and bananas. Also, just a hint of honey. A very full bodied beer that clings to the palate.Would make a great beer to go with a dessert tart.Serving type: bottle03-27-2005 22:20:49 | More by MuddyFeetBuckeyeNationIowa4.4/5 rDev +4%look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5Scarlet-infused tawny; a gorgeous hue. The orange tinted, light caramel colored head fills at least half the glass after a gentle pour and has gone nowhere in the several minutes that I've been staring at it. The foam is gently pitting on its upper surface and is tight-bubbled where it meets the glass. Unfortunately, there's almost no lace; a shame since the color of beer and head, and the combination of the two, is something to behold.
The nose, although good, doesn't quite reach great. It's malty sweet, Scotchy and dark fruity, but doesn't come together as well as it might. Even though the aroma lacks a certain amount of depth and complexity, it's clear that it belongs to a quality beer.
'Golden Dragon' still doesn't impress me as much as I'd hoped it would. The first impression I have is of sweet and sour fruit; in particular, dates, raisins and black cherries. I also taste mild cocoa and almost a cola quality (I mean that in a good way). The flavor profile is opening up as the beer warms and I can now appreciate sweet tobacco and dark butterscotch. Clove and cinnamon round things out quite nicely.
In terms of flavor sensations, the beer is sweet, sour and bitter (in descending order), but isn't so sweet as to be cloying or to impair drinkability. The medium body/mouthfeel needs to be a bit bigger if world-class status is to be bestowed. Update: both the flavor and the body improve a great deal when the final third of the bottle is added to the chalice and the scores have been increased as a result.
Gulden Draak (I can't say the name without sliding into a bad Scottish accent) is a beer that grew on me substantially over the course of the bottle. When--not if--I drink my next one, I'll allow it to warm and will gently mix the bottle before opening to get bring the good stuff into play from the start. I'm sorry I doubted you GD, you're pretty G-d good after all.Serving type: bottle03-14-2005 00:48:31 | More by BuckeyeNationhorndeckerNew Jersey4.08/5 rDev -3.5%look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5Deep mahogany color, with a prodigous head, rocky and persistant, it's a tan foamy latte over a clear and polished mahogany.
The nose is bright and yeasty, with caramel and toffee, bread and chocolate, with cabbage bringing up the rear.
The taste is big fruit with a tart center; prunes marinated in chocolate liquer; Dr. Pepper (10-2-4); A lot of concentrated malt flavors, and persistantly sweet, though it's not just a simple sweetness. The alcohol is apparent but, surprisingly, not overwhelming. Nice big frothy mouthfeel. Quite an interesting brew. I'll need to try this again to really get a handle on it. Happily.Serving type: bottle03-04-2005 04:36:55 | More by horndeckerredmosquitoMichigan4.1/5 rDev -3.1%look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4Am I confused? I expected the Piraat and the Draak to be exactly the opposite in color than they really are. The Draak pours a nice mahoghany color with a slightly off white head. It has a wonderful malty aroma, a blend of sweet caramel and nutty Munich malt, and a nice yeast finish, that reminds me more of a lager than a Belgian ale. The taste is similar to the aroma, malty with some bitterness, and surprisingly no sign of that 10.5% it lists on the label. The body is also good as well not dry as one might expect with a strong Belgian. Overall this is an excellent beer that is highly drinkable, especially for a big beer.Serving type: bottle02-26-2005 16:10:19 | More by redmosquitoAndrejiColombia4.22/5 rDev -0.2%look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4Very nice brew from a steenberge assorted pack.
Pour is clearly a belgian dark, with a big, fizzy head with an amber fade, much as the rest of the caramel, carbonation-less fluid. slightly translucid. The smell, quite rich, is malty and somewhat soury. red fruits are a bit perceivable. The taste, strong malty with a cola-ish feel is very nice, very slightly bitter at the end and primarily soury throughout. practically uncarbonated and the body, despite being translucid, is quite thick, and tasty. Slightly alcoholized.
The ABV is questionable for this reason, because it's well hidden and very, very slightly felt afterwards. this is an excellent brew. best i've had in a while now.Serving type: bottle02-19-2005 21:34:20 | More by AndrejimynieIndiana4.15/5 rDev -1.9%look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5This isn’t golden! And it doesn’t smell like spicy mustard, either. Goddamn Belgians. They are always out to trick me.
Pours really pretty and dark. Plum colored with an retentive, foamy head. Lots of sediment floating around, despite a good pour—I dunno if this bottle was jostled in the store or if it’s just supposed to be that way.
Very rich, sweet smell. Usually odors that are this sweet are accompanied with a little bit of an alcohol zip, but that’s not the case here. This just smells like tart fruit. Or Fruits, actually. Dozens of fruits. Apple, pineapple, plums, grapes, mango, passion fruit, orange.
Tastes like complex fruit, like the nose, only zippier. A harsh but nice ZING hits you right up front, along with the more sour fruits, then that dissolves into a rather dry, juicy flavor containing for the richer, less tart fruits. This is incredible complexity.
The flavor can be overpowering—I can’t see myself drinking more than a single stubby of this (the 10.5% ABV also factors in), but this is a truly great beer that everybody should try.Serving type: bottle02-11-2005 01:31:59 | More by mynieramrod666Pennsylvania4.33/5 rDev +2.4%look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5gulden draak pours walnut brown with a huge rocky head that stays huge for 5-10 minutes before falling to a 1/4 inch towards the bottom. the smell of tart apples is big with strong sweetness and a bit of bubble-gum? taste is almost cidery. alcohol is present in the back but, a over 10.00 abv would you expect anything else. mouthfeel is moderately carbonated with a drying effect from the tartness and alcohol. heavy body. drinkabilty is high and dangerous considering the abv.. a delicious triple.Serving type: bottle01-30-2005 00:48:32 | More by ramrod666tomthumbsbluesPennsylvania4.1/5 rDev -3.1%look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4A two and a half finger foamy head was produced and went down relatively slowly with practically no lacing. The color was a nice ruby with just a hint of brown. Some cloudiness and bubbles from the bottom. The smell was peach and strawberry with a sour backbone. The taste was spicy, hint of cherry and strawberry, very slight, and clove. Wine-like lightness and feel. Mouthfeel was not heavy or overbearing but left a nice coating in the back of the throat. Not that bad at all.Serving type: bottle01-24-2005 23:46:09 | More by tomthumbsbluesStubbie1Connecticut4.78/5 rDev +13%look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5Pours a ruby brown with a small tight slightly off white head. The head fades and leaves an island of foam in the middle that stays for the whole ride to the bottom of the empty glass. Dark fruit, figs, plumbs and raisins are the aroma. Mild tones of malt and hint of spice accompany the dark fruit.
First sip was WOW! I wasnt expecting something to jump out. The dark fruit is dominated with a mild malt and spice. Even banana is present and a slight musty flavor mixed in. Hints of alcohol follow the fruit and finish with a silky smooth mouthfeel.
This is a simply wonderful brew and a new a favorite.Serving type: bottle01-24-2005 11:43:19 | More by Stubbie1bditty187Nebraska4.7/5 rDev +11.1%look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5This is a personal favorite of mine that Ive failed to review, time to remedy that.
Hazy. Amber in hue, it is darker brown in the middle and tawny around the edges. The head was rocky, easily two fingers in height. The beige foam sat there like a rock, head retention was excellent to say the least. A modest, tight cap lasted the entire consumption. It was welcomed company. The subsequent lacing was spotty and fairly widespread. In honesty the appearance isnt ground breaking in anyway but it is pleasant to look at. Hey, its beer! The nose has always been charming. Chocolate malts provide a lovely foundation that allows an array of spices, fruits, and phenolic characteristics to stand on. There are hints of sweetness upfront with figs, lavender, raisins, tropical fruit, alcohol, and cherries in the middle. Traces of medical qualities and even some herbalness, it is these aromas that I adore in this bouquet, as they really round out the nose. They are strongest at the finish. Moderate potency. The nose is articulate and I can smell, and thus enjoy, every little detail. Sure I wish it was louder but I cant complain. The palate is lovely. Wonderful. It seems so simple but it is beautiful. At first there is a heavy, sweet maltiness that has influences of chocolate and cola. Cherries, prunes, and raisins are soaked in brandy and then they are added to a chocolate purée laced with medicinal spiciness. Clove with hints of banana. Band-Aids. Caramel is also in the mix. Hot alcohol that is close to being distracting, but as is, it adds a fantastic dimension to this beer. There isnt much hiding the fact this beer clocks an abv over ten. The finish is juicy with dark fruits, alcohol heat, spice, and the medicinal qualities. Hot aftertaste, like sucking on rubbing alcohol and Band-Aids; who do that would taste so good? I really like this beer, is it the most complex Belgian Ive tasted? No. Does it strike all the right cords with me? Yes. Medium-full in body, the carbonation is quite active but it feels natural and it works well for this beer, the mouthfeel is pleasant, I like the creaminess. I also like the heat that cuts the sweetness; at times this beer actually seems dry. Exceedingly drinkable, this beer is the perfect nightcap or serve it with a chunk of cheese and a hand of red grapes. I really wish this beer were available in Nebraska; of course it is not. I purchased this bottle as part of a sampler-pack in Ames, IA. Thankfully it can be had in Des Moines or Iowa City. I need to have this on-hand more often. It is a unique treat with enough uniqueness to make me want to come back for more. RecommendedServing type: bottle01-07-2005 01:19:13 | More by bditty187merlin48Kentucky3.55/5 rDev -16.1%look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 311.2 oz white bottle from a Van Steenberge sampler box. Served at cellar temperature into a chalice, it pours a clear, cola brown body with a small, large-bubbled head that left behind minimal lace. Aroma has overripe bananas, prunes, figs, raisins, a hint of spicy clove and pepper, and fusel alcohol. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with effervescent carbonation. The taste features candy sugar, prunes, nearly rotten bananas, danky yeast, clove, and warming alcohol. Finishes slightly bitter, leaving a feeling of alcohol infused prune juice. I really didn't care a lot for this one.Serving type: bottle01-02-2005 18:58:29 | More by merlin48tatterdashOntario (Canada)4.28/5 rDev +1.2%look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5I love the white opaque bottle with black label, very curious as to what lurks inside. Pours a dark cloudy mahogany, with a big sinister off-white head. Aroma was floral and fruits, with a very seductive alcohol vapour that is very appropriate somehow. Taste was strong caramel, with a lot of warming alcohol as well as dark fruits and toffee. Very smooth, and while the alcohol is prevalent, it was also very tasteful and appropriate to such a sinister brew. I was almost positive at one point I could see the alcohol vapours on my breath. I want to find a big bottle of this for New Year's...Serving type: bottle12-22-2004 19:38:48 | More by tatterdashCwrwAlberta (Canada)3.43/5 rDev -18.9%look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 2Brought back from Brussels. BB: 30/03/06
Pouring from the faux-ceramic white bottle with the strangely Asian-looking black label, Draak poured beautifully into my abbey-style glass, revealing an extrememly rich-toned beer. At first I seen light ruby, and a dark brown with hints of red, with the slightest touch of light orange.Thick, sedimentary and caramel-thick in body-appearance. A mocha-coloured head formed, which was solid and thick, but was not very consistent throughout my drinking it. Swirling the glass from time to time kept it creamy. Patchy lace, sticky but not screening the glass. The aroma is rather complex, with dark mustiness and phenols dominating. Dark fruits, richly sweet malt. Hints of licorice and leather, horehound, medicinal syrup. Prunes and dates also were quite easy to smell. Initially, the aroma with the glass a good distance from my nose was mouthwatering fruitiness; in closer, the alcohol is immediately evident. Later I sense sourdough and sharp blue cheese. Beastly malt, huge alcohol, and yeast. The flavour at first was metallic, like iron, followed by intense fruit like a cherry brandy, or mollasses. A finish of yeast and oiliness, the everpresent alcohol, and a great deal of bitterness for me. The aftertaste is initially all sweetness, but after a few seconds it leaves the throat very dry and dusty-feeling, which is why I rated mouthfeel and drinkability quite low. The feeling left in my mouth disappointed me: alcohol combined with extreme must is far too dry; mouth-puckering muskiness. Dry tannins as in a rich red wine. This beer literally seemed to purge all saliva from my mouth, and I could actually feel my glands pumping to hydrate my mouth. For me personally, this greatly reduces is drinkability value. Others may not have the same experience. The least taste is in the middle, though it remains full-bodied and resiny. Oily yet gaseous in the mouth. The lees were less sweet, with a strong iron taste. I enjoyed this beer up until the mouth could not handle the dry dustiness. Too much alcohol in the character of it.Serving type: bottle12-08-2004 06:52:29 | More by Cwrwchunkylover53Ontario (Canada)4.33/5 rDev +2.4%look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4Mmmm. I like this beer a lot.
I wish I could get this on it's own instead of in a gift set with a bunch of other beers.Serving type: bottle12-04-2004 23:37:29 | More by chunkylover53ybnormlRhode Island4/5 rDev -5.4%look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4This is a dark brown ale with mahogony highlights and a foamy dark tan head that leaves some lace. The aroma has a plummy rich dried fruit characteristic that sheilds most of the high octane alcohol from your nose. That same sweet dried fruit characteristic starts up the flavor and blends nicely with the peppery hop finish. Then you get that tummy warming alcohol sensation. Yum.Serving type: bottle11-03-2004 18:24:41 | More by ybnormlGueuzedudeArizona3.58/5 rDev -15.4%look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5Well, despite its name, this beer pours a deep amber color, with ruby highlights when held up to the light. The head is midsized and light brown in color. The aroma is of dark fruit (plum and raisin), rum, and a sort of spiciness that reminds me a bit of coriander. The beer is fairly well carbonated as it fizzes on my tongue. It is sweet and fruity with raisin definitely dominating the fruit component, but notes of figs and prunes are evident as well. The combination of the sweetness and fruitiness gives this beer a certain richness that I was not expecting (you can tell it has been quite a while since I last had this). Overall this is quite a tasty beer, nothing that really makes it stand out and perhaps a bit too sweet, but it is a well built tasty beer.Serving type: bottle10-24-2004 19:36:48 | More by GueuzedudepaterlodieBelgium3.35/5 rDev -20.8%look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5Nice white botle; great name.... what to expect? Nice darkbrown colour with a lightbrown head that lasts. Malty nose that tends to sweet and hardly any caramel but litle hops. Tast is sweet and full bodied and aftertast starts sweet but finishes bitter. To sweet( and alcoholic) to drink more than one.Serving type: bottle10-19-2004 18:13:12 | More by paterlodiekbub6fNew York3.83/5 rDev -9.5%look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5There's one inch of fine, tan foam over a hazy, dark brown beer with reddish highlights. Sugar and bread in the strong nose. Is that figs? Toffee? Burnt caramel? A strong, sweet, grapesy/raisiny front gives way to a full, fizzy, sweet middle. Almost sweet chocolate. Hot alcohol in the finish with loads of overripe fruit. Bready burps. This is a very strong tasting beer. It's sweet, fruity, bready. Almost too sweet for me, but very good.Serving type: bottle10-07-2004 21:51:42 | More by kbub6fAtLagerHeadsOhio3.93/5 rDev -7.1%look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5The appearance is a bit darker than expected with the body being a dark reddish brown crowned by a nice head of off-white foam. The head recedes to a nice lacing engine of about a quarter inch. The nose is of spice notes and fruit and this follows in the flavors. The body is full and creamy, almost of a syrupy nature. The drinkability is hampered by the fullness and ABV.Serving type: bottle09-22-2004 15:55:08 | More by AtLagerHeadsedchicmaMassachusetts4.25/5 rDev +0.5%look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4Very dark amber, nice head with excellent lacing. Smell was fruity (cherries) and very inviting...entices you to drink. Taste is full and fruity...definte cherry presence imo. There is a richness here that would probably do well if served warm as a winter brew. Mouthfeel is full-bodied and suggests an alcohol presence in its syrupy feel, but the alcohol does not overwhelm. For such a high abv,,,not bad on the drinkability scale, either. Great bottle too..defintely recomemnd.Serving type: bottle09-19-2004 23:56:32 | More by edchicma
based on 2,541 user ratings.
Trappistes Rochefort 8(Brasserie de Rochefort)Chimay Grande Réserve (Blue)(Bières de Chimay S.A.)Cuvée Van De Keizer Blauw (Blue)(Brouwerij Het Anker)2x4 Ale(Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.)Achel Trappist Extra(Brouwerij der St. Benedictusabdij de Achelse)Allagash Odyssey(Allagash Brewing Company)Abbaye Des Rocs [Brasserie Des Rocs Brune](Brasserie de l'Abbaye des Rocs s.a.)Dragonmead Sin Eater Belgian Dark(Dragonmead Microbrewery)Trois Pistoles(Unibroue)Unibroue 17 Grande Réserve(Unibroue)Abbaye Des Rocs Grand Cru Belgian Special Brown(Brasserie de l'Abbaye des Rocs s.a.)Bush De Noël Premium(Brasserie Dubuisson Frères sprl)Maudite(Unibroue)Embrasse(Brouwerij De Dochter van de Korenaar)Belgian Black(Lighthouse Brewing Company)