What a name. Fully set out this is Gouden Carolus Cuvee Van De Keizer Blauw 2011 from Brouwerij Het Anker in Mechelen. The Lake Chaubunagungamaug of beer names.

As it is 11% and good for ten years at least this is infanticide at 17 months or so. Yet it is pretty fine stuff. It pours light chestnut under rich light mocha froth and foam. Plum, apple butter and molasses on the nose with some mint in there, too. A sweet explosion in the mouth with every box on the Christmas baking to do list fully and neatly ticked: date and fig, autumn apple, nutmeg, a bit of peppermint, plum - or take the peppermint and plum and swap them for dark cherry... maybe. Very soft in the mouth and burlappy, garden earthy even with the whole thing soaked with loaves of boston brown bread. The yeast gives a creamy texture. The boozy strength is entirely hidden until the finish when it mixes with the mint and earth and malty sweet goodness.

Like it. A sample from those fine importers Roland and Russell. Massive loving thang from the BAers.