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Gouden Carolus Imperial Blond

Belgium·Belgian Strong Golden Ale
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Orange, cumin, chamomile and coriander meet a full, fruity taste with a slightly spicy edge in this golden Imperial Blond at 10%. It was launched in 2008 to mark ten years of Imperial Dark, brewed from several malts with three spices added during brewing and East Kent Golding hops.

ABV
10%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter17 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden6
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
corianderorangefruity
coriander
orange
fruity
spicy
herbal
malty
Aroma
Coriander and chamomile dominate the nose, supported by citrus notes of orange zest and underlying floral complexity.
also:bready,yeasty
not found:hoppy,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Gouden Carolus Imperial Blond

◎ Appearance

Pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a persistent white head that clings to the glass with fine lacing. The carbonation is moderate and even, contributing to a refined visual presentation that befits the beer's imperial standing.

pale goldenbright claritypersistent headfine lacing

◌ Aroma

Coriander and chamomile dominate the nose, supported by citrus notes of orange zest and underlying floral complexity. A gentle herbal warmth emerges alongside the malt base, with East Kent Golding hops adding a soft, refined noble character without aggression.

coriander, chamomilecitrus, orange zestfloral, herbalnoble hop character

◐ Taste

The palate opens with full, rounded fruit esters balanced against the spiced grain foundation. Coriander and orange weave through the mid-palate with a peppery spice that builds gently, while restrained bitterness (17 IBU) allows the malt sweetness and adjunct complexity to remain foreground. The alcohol warmth (10% ABV) is present but well-integrated.

full-bodied, fruityspiced maltcoriander-orangerestrained bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and moderately long, with the spice gradually fading into a bready, malty echo. A subtle herbal dryness persists, reminiscent of the chamomile and coriander, without harsh alcohol burn.

dry finishspice fademalty echo
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
84
Appearance
82
Finish
78
Serve at 9–12°C

Warmer than most — 12–14°C. The fruity esters, spice and warming alcohol need room to breathe.

Goblet

The wide mouth and heavy base promote head formation and channel rich aromatics toward the nose. Traditional for Belgian strong ales.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Gouden Carolus Imperial Blond

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About Belgian Strong Golden Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Belgian Strong Golden Ale?

Belgian Strong Golden Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Belgian Strong Golden Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same coriander, orange, fruity character as Gouden Carolus Imperial Blond will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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