Gulden Draak 9000 750ML is a 10.5% ABV Belgian strong dark ale brewed by Van Steenberge in East Flanders, Belgium, and bottled in a 750ml format. Scoring 95 on RateBeer and 92 on BeerAdvocate, this bold expression distinguishes itself through a secondary fermentation with wine yeast — a technique uncommon among Belgian strong ales that yields remarkable depth and cellar-worthy longevity. Quick Facts: ABV: 10.5% | Origin: Ertvelde, East Flanders, Belgium | Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale | Brewery: Brouwerij Van Steenberge Production & Heritage Brouwerij Van Steenberge has been brewing in the village of Ertvelde in East Flanders since 1784, making it one of Belgium's oldest independent family breweries. Gulden Draak 9000 — named after the postal code of Ghent — is top-fermented and undergoes a secondary fermentation with wine yeast rather than the standard brewer's yeast, a process that contributes to its layered sweetness and cellar potential. The grain bill uses three different malts at four times the quantity found in a typical lager, building a dense, chewy body that carries the elevated alcohol with surprising grace. Tasting Notes Aroma: Caramel malt dominates the nose immediately, followed by dates, raisins, and a faint waft of dark rum. A background note of banana ester and subtle phenolic spice rounds out the bouquet. Taste: The entry is soft and distinctly sweet, with caramel deepening into sticky toffee and marzipan across the mid-palate. Dried apricot, plum, and pineapple emerge as the sweetness evolves, balanced by a gentle yeasty funk and warming alcohol that builds steadily toward the peak. The wine yeast influence surfaces as a vinous undercurrent that separates this beer from conventional strong dark ales. Finish: Long and warming, with lingering toffee, dried fruit, and a spicy, slightly boozy close. The finish dries just enough to invite the next sip without becoming cloying. How to Drink Gulden Draak 9000 Serve at cellar temperature — around 50–54°F (10–12°C) — in a tulip glass or chalice to concentrate the complex aromatics. Pouring slowly and leaving a small amount of yeast sediment in the bottle is traditional and allows cleaner fruit expression. As a cocktail ingredient, this is unconventional territory, but the beer's intensity makes it workable: a Belgian Shandy with fresh lemon juice tames the sweetness for warm-weather drinking; a Black Velvet variation layered with dry sparkling wine creates a dramatic contrast of bubbles and malt richness; and a Beer Flip — shaken with a whole egg, simple syrup, and nutmeg — showcases the toffee and dried fruit character in a dessert-style serve. Best For Sharing with fellow Belgian beer enthusiasts over a slow evening Cellaring and revisiting annually to track flavor evolution Pairing with a holiday cheese board or rich dessert course Gifting to a craft beer collector who appreciates high-gravity Belgian styles Frequently Asked Questions What does Gulden Draak 9000 taste like? It delivers a rich, sweet profile led by caramel, toffee, and marzipan, layered with dried fruit like raisin, plum, and apricot, and finished with warming spice and alcohol. How does Gulden Draak 9000 compare to Gulden Draak Classic? Gulden Draak 9000 is heavier and noticeably sweeter than the original Gulden Draak Classic, with greater malt intensity and a more pronounced vinous character from its wine yeast fermentation. The Classic is often considered more balanced and approachable, while the 9000 pushes further into dessert-like richness. Is Gulden Draak 9000 good for sipping neat? Yes — its complexity and 10.5% ABV make it ideal for slow, contemplative sipping from a tulip glass at cellar temperature, much like you would approach a barleywine or quadrupel. Where is Gulden Draak 9000 made? It is brewed by Brouwerij Van Steenberge, a family-owned brewery founded in 1784 and located in Ertvelde, within the East Flanders province of Belgium. What foods pair well with Gulden Draak 9000? Aged Gouda or Stilton blue cheese complements the caramel malt sweetness; dark chocolate truffles mirror the toffee and dried fruit; roasted duck with a cherry glaze echoes the plum and raisin notes; crème brûlée highlights the beer's caramelized sugar character; and charcuterie with fig preserves bridges the savory and sweet elements. What sizes does Gulden Draak 9000 come in? The standard format is a 750ml bottle, which is the traditional large-format serving size for sharing Belgian strong ales. Is Gulden Draak 9000 worth the price? It positions as a premium Belgian strong dark ale, and the 750ml large-format bottle, wine yeast secondary fermentation, and cellar-aging potential place it in line with other top-tier Belgian specialty releases at its price tier. Why Gulden Draak 9000? The defining detail here is the wine yeast secondary fermentation — a production choice that most Belgian strong ales skip entirely, and one that gives this beer its vinous depth and ability to develop in the bottle over years. Backed by a 95 on RateBeer and a 92 on BeerAdvocate from over 1,500 ratings, the 9000 has earned serious credibility among experienced tasters. Van Steenberge's 240-year brewing heritage lends further weight, placing this ale in the hands of one of Flanders' most established families. For anyone drawn to bold, malt-driven Belgian ales that reward patience and attention, the 9000 stands as a compelling and well-documented choice in the category.
