Het Anker is a traditional brewery in Mechelen, Belgium, which has a hand-picked selection of tasty classics in its range.
The Belgian brewery Het Anker dates back to a very special association: the building used to house a beguinage. The so-called beguines were women who lived according to the rules of a monastic order without having taken vows beforehand. They were therefore not ordained nuns, but maintained a middle path between monastery and secular life. The beguines lived in absolute poverty, all the work they did was for the good of the community and the continued existence of their association. Beguines often covered activities such as caring for the sick and the elderly, doing manual work or teaching in schools. The beguinage in Mechelen, Belgium, took on a variety of activities in the city and maintained a kind of hospital. The current brewery Het Anker is located in the former halls of this hospital, but brewing has been taking place there since the Middle Ages. Charles Leclef is now at the helm of the company. His ancestors bought the brewery in 1872 and gave it a thorough renovation. Equipped with the most modern technology of their time, the Van Breedam family began their journey into the future.
The brewery is currently very well positioned with a stable range of Belgian classics and some seasonal specialties. In addition to its beer, the brewery produces sake and whiskey. The brewery's own distillery also makes the company of expert beer experts real liquor professionals. The team distills intense whiskeys from the wonderful beer specialties. We don't stock any of the spirits, but the beers will also bring a few twists to your glass: The Gouden Carolus Christmas Ale follows the Belgian tradition of strong beers and has an incredible 10.5% alcohol content. The highlight of this beer, however, is not the percentage, but the complex taste, which is made up of powerful fruit and caramel notes. A handful of warm spices skilfully round off the play of aromas and make the festive beer a real treat for the cold season. The range of different variants of the Gouden Carolus has brought the brewery international attention and recognition. Year after year, the brewers win prestigious awards for their powerful creations.
The Gouden Carolus Christmas Ale is a fine winter beer that we also enjoy in summer thanks to its dark fruitiness. You simply can't go wrong with caramel, spices and fruit, no matter whether the sun is shining from the sky or gentle flakes are covering the earth. Get your bottle right here from us!
