Gulden Draak is one of the heritage Belgian beer labels, having been first presented to the market in 1986 (though the history of Brouwerij Ven Steenberge dates back to 1874). They were one of the first Belgian beers we could buy in Australia, and the classic white label of the ‘Golden Dragon’ is still an iconic beer today.
But as the beer drinking public demands a constantly evolving range of beer, we see more of the old breweries making new beers. This is the newest beer to the Van Steenberge portfolio.
If you haven’t had the Gulden Draak, it is best described as a dark tripel. Van Steenberg have taken this classic and added smoked malts. It sounds like a fairly simple change, but a potentially divisive move given people seem to either love or hate smoked beers.
The base beer is still there, with flavours of sweet malt and dark stone fruits. And to this we have the added smoky notes, it comes in the form of smoked ham or maple smoked bacon. Nothing too intense or acrid, it really is a sweet smoky character that adds a really interesting dimension to this beer.
So which side of the fence do you sit on here? Fan of smoked beers or not? And if you know the classic Gulden Draak, are you happy with this variation or do you still prefer the original?
I’d best have another to confirm my opinion!
A fruity malt backbone, a spicy hop bite and a hint of vanilla
The newest beer for the Augustijn label - a rich, smooth balance of roasted malt and sweet stone fruits
A very drinkable tripel style Grand Cru from Van Steenberge
A classic Belgian dubbel brewed by Brouwerij Van Steenberge
A special Tripel brewed by Van Steenberge for an annual gourmet degustation
The unique dark tripel from Brouwerij Van Steenberge, named after the 'Golden Dragon' of Gent.
The new addition to the Gulden Draak label - a rich and boozy quadruple
The Brewmaster is Gulden Draak's classic dark tripel aged in various whiskey barrels
A beer dedicated to the original brewmaster, the Gulden Draak Quadrupel has been aged in whiskey barrels
Really this is more a cross between a Belgian Quadrupel and an Imperial Stout
A tasty beer somewhere between a Belgian Dubbel style and a Belgian Strong Dark Ale
A classic strong pale ale from one of Belgium's old family breweries.
A variation on the acclaimed Piraat strong blond ale, this time with four different hops added at three separate times during the beer-making process
