Days of the Beer, February 24

The beer for today is Het Anker Cuvée van de Keizer Blauw (Cuvée of the Emperor Blue).

On February 24, 1500, Charles V (Charles Quint) was born. Charles was ruler of the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 to 1556. He was known as Charles I while he was king of Spain from 1516 until 1556. His full title was...

Charles, by the grace of God, Holy Roman Emperor, forever August, King of Germany, King of Italy, King of all Spains, of Castile, Aragon, León, Navarra, Grenada, Toledo, Valencia, Galicia, Majorca, Sevilla, Cordova, Murcia, Jaén, Algarves, Algeciras, Gibraltar, the Canary Islands, King of Two Sicilies, of Sardinia, Corsica, King of Jerusalem, King of the Western and Eastern Indies, Lord of the Islands and Main Ocean Sea, Archduke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy, Brabant, Lorraine, Styria, Carinthia, Carniola, Limburg, Luxembourg, Gelderland, Neopatria, Württemberg, Landgrave of Alsace, Prince of Swabia, Asturia and Catalonia, Count of Flanders, Habsburg, Tyrol, Gorizia, Barcelona, Artois, Burgundy Palatine, Hainaut, Holland, Seeland, Ferrette, Kyburg, Namur, Roussillon, Cerdagne, Zutphen, Margrave of the Holy Roman Empire, Burgau, Oristano and Gociano, Lord of Frisia, the Wendish March, Pordenone, Biscay, Molin, Salins, Tripoli and Mechelen.

Charles spoke four languages: French, German, some Spanish (was required for him to be king of Spain), and some Italian. "I speak Spanish to God, Italian to women, French to men and German to my horse."

His empire covered nearly four million square kilometers across Europe, the Far East, and the Americas. It was the first described as "the empire on which the sun never sets" (later it was used by the British, and the United States; although it may have first been used to describe Xerxes I of Persia).

During his reign, there were several notable events, the protestant reformation started under Luther in Germany, Magellan circumnavigated the globe, and he fought against the approaching Ottomans led by Suleiman the Magnificent.

He had a big jaw.

As to the beer:

Every year on the 24th of February, we celebrate the birth of Charles Quint. Therefore we brew a special beer in limited edition called Cuvée of the Emperor. This exceptional beer is a special version of the Golden Carolus Classic, with an enriched taste pallet and mysterious aromas added. The caramelised malts and its 11% Alc. Vol. give the Cuvée of the Emperor the warm roundness of wine together with the refreshing taste of beer. It is imperially crowned with a special cork so it can be preserved for a long period of time with a constant cellar temperature of 12° C. An imperial beer to cherish and enjoy in moderation.

Het Anker brewery is in the town of Mechelen, Belgium. Charles V was born in Ghent, but was brought up in the town until age 17 (so he was king of Spain for a year or so, while living in Belgium). Het Anker is probably best known for their Gouden Carolus beers.

Cuvée of the Emperor is listed as a Dark Special Beer. It's 11% Alcohol.

(It's currently on tap at Radio Maria)

So, for Charles the Quint, have the beer named for him, that's brewed on his birthday. Het Anker will be brewing it today.


If you are in CU and want to know more about Charles V, talk to Anne D. Hedeman.