Some breweries (and their beers) seem to fly under the radar, somehow being spectacularly solid without coming to any great prominence. Het Anker would have to be one such brewery.
One of the buildings dates back to the early 1400’s, which then was a hospital attended by an order of nuns. In recognition of their contribution to the city, in 1471 they were granted permission to brew beer without taxes. And there has pretty much been a brewery onsite since then. Now controlled by the 5th generation of the Van Breedham family, the beers produced at Het Anker are all pretty awesome.
The Ambrio was the first beer produced by the old brewery to a recipe dating back to 1421. Het Anker recently recreated this beer, and they say they are the only brewery making this type of beer which was the typical brew for the Mechelen region. (Although the current version is slightly heavier than the original which was at 6.5% ABV).
It has the light body of a blond, with the deep flavours of a darker beer. A semi-sweet malt body of caramel and toffee, beautifully balanced with a nice hop bitterness, raisins, dried berries, woodiness, gentle spicing and long aftertaste.
The original beer from Brasserie Caracole, a fruity, malty amber ale
A Belgian style ale, something of a cross between and blond and amber ale
by Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven
A malty amber ale, mixing sweet and bitter flavours in a beautifully drinkable beer
A really interesting amber ale that is heavy on the herbs and spices
A dark golden to amber ale brewed by the Monks at Chimay for the French Trappist Monastery Mont Des Cats
Unique for it's 'coachman's glass', the beer is more than a match for its presentation.
An amber ale brewed with barley, wheat and oats and finished with a little Belgian candi sugar.
by Brouwerij Corsendonk (at Brasserie Du Bocq)
A Belgian amber ale by Brouwerij Corsendonk
The most well-known of the Golden Carolus beers is the 'Classic' - a beautifully balanced Belgian strong dark ale of 8.5% ABV
Five old-world hops are used in this fresh grassy Belgian IPA
One of our favourite Belgian triples from Brouwerij Het Anker
Gouden Carolus' Cuvee Van De Keizer Imperial Dark Ale infused with Het Anker's single malt whisky
A strong blond ale in the style of Duvel, brewed by Het Anker brewery
A biggish witbier, with the typical aroma and flavours of banana, citrus and coriander
