Gulden Draak Belgian Ale 25.4 oz

Belgian Red Strong Ale

Brewed by: Van Steenberge
Country: Belgium
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Color: Red

ABV: 10.5%
Cellaring: Yes
Ratebeer.com rating: 98
BeerAdvocate.com rating: 95

Gulden Draak (Golden Dragon in English) from the Van Steenberge Brewery is a Belgian Strong Ale that pours dark red-brown with a foamy pale tan head.

Named for a 900 year old gilded dragon statue that sits atop the clock tower of the Ghent town square, the brew is top fermented and bottle conditioned.

Aromas include dark fruits, toffee, bread and banana with notes of alcohol, bubblegum, candied cherry and coffee. Taste follows the nose and also includes sweet malt with notes of chocolate and some hop bitterness.

The mouthfeel is full bodied and smooth with a lively carbonation; the 10.5% ABV is present but not at all overpowering; and the finish is long and bittersweet.

Food Pairings

Pair with beef, game, and smoked meat or fish; goes well with teriyaki chicken, pork tenderloin, buttery style cheeses such as Brie, Gouda, Havarti and Swiss, and sharp style cheeses such as Blue and Cheddar. Also pairs well with chocolate desserts.

Brewery Information:

Located in Ertvelde, a village in the East Flanders region of Belgium, the Van Steenberge Brewery began in 1784 as a farm brewery (like many hundreds of others in the region) selling beer to local cafes and pubs.

The brewcraft evident in the ales produced resulted in increasing demand; over time, beer revenue significantly outpaced farming revenue, allowing the Van Steenberge heirs to concentrate fully on the brew business.

Today, still family-owned in the sixth generation, the Van Steenberge Brewery distributes award winning ales to more than a dozen countries including Italy, Spain, and the United States.