REVIEW #45: Charles Quint Golden Blonde (Brouwerij Haacht)

Pours a pale gold reminiscent of a lager with a persistent, snow white head that trails lace all down the glass. Slightly smoky, grassy, herbal notes on the nose. Initial spicy, herbal (probably noble) hops clash with, and just about contain, a candy sugar sweetness that's present up until the finish. The ale is dry and vegetal in the finish. Medium bodied and like many Belgian pales, the alcohol is very well concealed.

Charles Quint is in fact Emperor Charles V of Belgium, born 1500. He was so enamoured of his ale he used to drink it out of 3 and 4 handled tankards and Brouwerij Haacht produce a special multi-handled earthenware tankard in celebration of this fact. I have previously reviewed Haacht's Abbey beer Tongerlo Bruin here. The brewery also make Charles Quint Ruby Red, which I remember first trying at the irreplaceable Cafe Gollem in Amsterdam when I was about 18; a specialist beer cafe with a brilliant atmosphere, but which has sadly been shut down for a few years now.

• MALTS: ?

• HOPS: ?
• IBU: ?
• ABV: 8.5%`
• contains corn & ascorbic acid (a preservative)

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