Gouden Carolus Cuvee van de Keizer Blauw (Brouwerij het Anker, Mechelen, Belgium)

Gouden Carolus Cuvee van de Keizer Blauw is a great beer with several different names over the year.  Also known as Carolus D'Or and Grand Cru of the Emperor.  I ordered a bottle at RFD on a 2002 trip to Washington DC, and it is also the only craft beer that my mother-in-law has ever liked.

Creamy light tan head lingers forever on top of a dark ruby on black beer.  Heavy cherry, dark fruit and malt with a clean spice over top.  As it warms, a slight hotness from the 11% alcohol that is more apparent in the taste.  Strong fig, cherry and spice in the taste.  Sweetly balanced beer and a depth of flavor grows with the temp.

Another pick for my Spring Fever basket, this accessible yet special ale brewed once a year on the 24th of February is well worth a try for all levels of beer geek.