|
 In
2002, after 38 years, a tradition of making a Gouden Carolus
Christmas beer was restored. And the response was astonishing from
the beginning of the release.
Gouden Carolus
Noel is a strong dark ruby-red beer with character and a alcohol
percentage of 10,5% Vol. It is brewed at the end of August. Then it
rests for several months to obtain a optimal balance in taste and
flavors. Specific herbs are added in the different stages of the
brewing process. Three different kinds of hops, and 6 different kind
of herbs and spices make this Christmas beer a "special class."
 Gouden
Carolus Noel is a top world beer. In 2004 Gouden Carolus Noel won
the Silver Award in the World Beer Cup, San Diego, in the “Dark
Strong Ale” category. This special Belgian ale is brewed using
traditional methods and a recipe with top fermentation. Its high
gravity gives this ale its warmth and body. It improves with age and
will charm you with its warm, coppery color and its rich bouquet.
Refermented in the bottle.
Gouden Carolus
Noël, brewed exceptionally for Christmas by the Anker brewery of
Mechelen, established in 1369.
History of the Brewery
Although the
oldest documents which are currently in the archivery of Mechelen
date from 1369, the brewery was in operation before that time, which
proves that it is probably the oldest brewery still working in
Belgium.
 These
historical extracts show that “Jan in den Anker” was paying his
penny membership to the Saint Rombout Chapter of the Guild. If the
brewing activities of this “Jan” took place in the actual buildings
is not quite clear. As a matter of fact his son “Matthijs” bought
the stock of the town brewery which was no longer brewing in 1433.
At the beginning of the fifteenth century the Beguinage of Mechelen,
including the “Crankenhuys” (hospital) took one third of the total
surface of the town. The buildings of the Anker Brewery are situated
just next to the Beguinage and were connected with the “Crankenhuys”.
Some parts of the actual brewery, which include a large part of the
“Cranckenhuys” are still authentic fifteenth century.
In 1471 and by
special law, Duke “Karel de Stoute”, also Count of Flanders and Lord
of Mechelen, declared that the beer that was brewed in this brewery
for the beguinies and her officers was exempt from duties and
excises. A privilege which is unfortunately no longer applicable
today.
The Van Breedam
family bought the brewery “Het Anker” in 1873 and enlarged it to one
of the first modern steam-breweries. The strong interest in the
glorious period of Mechelen under the Dukes of Burgundy strengthened
them to promote the favourite beer of Emperor Charles V.
At the end of
the 1990s, Charles Leclef - fifth generation of the Van Breedam
family - decided to start an important program of investments in
production and restoration of the old buildings. The buildings are
open to the general public as an active museum with pub, restaurant,
and since 1999, a hotel.
Questions, complaints or compliments? Email me at:
beergeek@worldclassbeverages.com |
