A BEER IN HISTORY

Okay, it's another birthday gathering. I have four kids around the country, the ol' lady has three kids here and three grandkids here and I even have three other grandkids out and about in the deep south. So, someone is always having a birthday. And in the modern style of families, this BBQ and cake party was at my step-son's dad's house, i.e. the ol' lady's ex-husband's house where he lives with his new wife.
Whew. But this was made much easier because - the ex-husband gave me a gift - of beer (my reputation as a #beersaturday contributor has pull :-)). Not just any beer, but one that "... was awarded the best-tasting beer in the world in 1998 by the American Tasting Institute (now ChefsBest)." How, very civilized, is that!
Gulden Draake (Golden Dragon) Ale, is a dark Belgium triple by Brouwerij Van Steenberge in Ertvelde, East Flanders. It is named after the golden dragon at the top of the belfry in Ghent.

Cork top and a white bottle - yes, it made me smile. And yes, I had to read the back to see what I was getting into.

Looking for more info on the web site, it is what can be called a "barley wine." It is not a beer to take deep swallows of @ 10.5 % alc. , but is described as a sipping beer, a dessert beer and is even described as a beer that can be added to a meat stew. This beer has been around a few hundred years, so I think they've tried it with most anything.
I thought that since he gave it to me, he should have a good taste of it too. He is usually a mixed drink kind of guy, so this was an adventure for him too. So, I poured two glasses: one slower than the other.

The head on the faster pour looks nicely laced with a beautiful dark amber color.
So what did we think of this institution of a beer? I imagine a number of you beersaturday drinkers have had this, but I'll brave our thoughts anyway. The ex really liked it, mainly since it doesn't taste like ordinary beer. He liked the extra malt flavor and the touch of alcohol. His wife, who drinks wines and mixed drinks, didn't like it all. Yuch. My ol' lady, an ex-drinking German, thought it was very good and tasty, meaning, if she drank, she'd drink it. Kinda surprising with the high alc level and all. But, I agree that it's a great tasting beer, a full mouthful and has only a slight touch of alcohol taste and feel considering its potency.

Yeah, I liked it. It has a caramel taste edged with spices. However, there are things to consider:

The white bottle - It's a white cellophane wrapping. Still looks kinda cool.
It's expensive. The alcohol super store by me has it listed on special for $14. For special friends on a special nite, have a cigar and a Golden Dragon after dinner. But it does make a cool gift too. (Thanks to Ralph)

All hail #beersatuday presented to us by @detlev .

All fotos by me with my trusty iPhone5> :-))