Gulden Draak Brewmasters (2019)

Style: Dark strong Belgian ale
Producer: Brouwerij Van Steenberge
Origin: Belgium
Size: 75cl
Alcohol: 10.5%
Price: 150kr
Systembolaget: – (sold out)

Brouwerij Van Steenberge is a brewery in Ertvelde, East Flanders, and has been run by six generations of brewers since 1784. They are most famous for their Gulden Draak and Pirat brands. The Brewmasters is a special edition of the base Gulden Draak beer that has been matured in wooden whisky barrels. After release, this went onto win accolades, including a bronze medal at the 2019 World Beer Awards. Anyone that has talked to me about beers over the years will know that Gulden Draak is one of my favourite brands. It was one of the first beer brands I fell in love with, and it still holds a special place in my heart to this day. So, after holding these bottle for a lot of years it was great to finally crack them open for this special tasting!

This had a deep amber to copper colour with a soft, off-white head. The aroma was heavily malt-driven, with layers of caramel, toffee and dark fruits like figs and raisins, alongside subtle hints of vanilla and oak from the barrel aging. Upon tasting, notes of burnt sugar, bread crust and ripe fruit were balanced by a gentle bitterness and a smooth alcohol presence. The mouthfeel was medium to full-bodied with a slightly sticky, almost liqueur-like texture that made it ideal for slow sipping. The aftertaste was long, with the dried fruit and alcohol again at the forefront.

This was simply a phenomenal beer. Rich, fruity and with an extra oak touch, this was everything I would want from a dark strong ale. I’m so glad I had a bottle at home as well, as I will be saving it for a special occasion. Delicious.