Het Anker Brewery is a Flemish brewery in Mechelen, founded in 1471 by a community of Beguines. In 1872, the brewery was acquired by Louis Van Breedam, who renamed it Het Anker ("The Anchor") in 1904. Expanding its assortment from lager to ale, it began producing "Emperor beer" after World War II. In 1960, it renamed it "Gouden Carolus" (Golden Charles) after Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (who was raised in Mechelen).[1] They opened a brasserie[1] and a hotel, and in 2010 began producing a single malt whisky, distilled from the Gouden Carolus Tripel.[2]

Gouden Carolus Tripel and Cuvée van de Keizer Imperial Blond (2009).

The company's Lucifer beer (which was originally brewed by Liefmans Brewery and then acquired by Duvel Moortgat Brewery[3]) was ranked #6 in a 2010 New York Times test of Belgian-style beers.[4][5] Het Anker is also brewing Dentergems Wit, a wheat beer brewed earlier by Liefmans.[6]

Specialty beers include the Cuvée van de Keizer, brewed once a year on the birthday of Charles V, available as a strong pale ale (red)[7] and a dark ale ("blue").[8]

Distillery De Molenberg edit

In 2010, a full-fledged whisky distillery was built and put into operation in Blaasveld, in the 17-century family farm. From the mash of Gouden Carolus Tripel, a grain whisky was distilled. Gouden Carolus Single Malt was introduced on November 23, 2013, and has already won several international prizes.

References edit

  1. ^ a b Peeters, Andre (21 May 2010). "Met dank aan de keizer". Het Nieuwsblad. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  2. ^ "Brouwerij Het Anker verwacht Schotse ketels voor eerste traditionele whisky". Het Laatste Nieuws. 13 November 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2011.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "et Anker brengt Lucifer-bier opnieuw op de markt". Het Laatste Nieuws. 27 January 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  4. ^ Asimov, Erik (24 February 2010). "A Delicious Free-For-All". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  5. ^ "Brouwerij Het Anker haalt New York Times". Het Nieuwsblad. 26 March 2010. Archived from the original on 13 October 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  6. ^ "Het Anker geeft Dentergems Wit nieuw leven". Zita.be. 14 April 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  7. ^ "Cuvée Van De Keizer Rood (Red)". BeerAdvocate. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  8. ^ "Cuvée Van De Keizer Blauw (Blue)". BeerAdvocate. Retrieved 4 December 2011.

External links edit