The 2-4 Beers of Christmas Day 15: Goose Island Honker's Ale

Beer # 263 Honker's Ale

Goose Island BrewingCompany

Chicago, Illinois, USA
Owned by Anheuser-Busch Inbev
ESB 4.3 % ABV 
Aluminum Can 473 ml
$2.95 (Canadian) At LCBO 

Twitter: @gooseisland

Another trip today to the brewpub turn notable microbrewery from Chicago. We previously did Matilda and Sophie from Goose Island which was not long after their purchase by brewery eating juggernaut Anheuser-Busch-Inbev. Recently this beer appeared on the shelves of the Beer Store and the LCBo so I thought I would see what it was about.

"Are you honkin' at me? well I don't see anyone else in here..."


Pours a reddish amber colour with a huge creamy tan head made up of small to medium bubbles. Aroma is a grassy, herbal hops tone with some clean malt notes. Slightly medicinal and light citrus. First sip is malty with notes of caramel and light wood. Some fruit notes but mostly bitter hops, slight mustiness. Aeration gives us more of the same, light bodied, mild maltiness. Finish is slightly off and musty, hints of sulphur.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 


Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 5/6 PASS
Re-Order:  1/6  FAIL
Experience:  3/6 SO-SO
Christmas Cheer: 2/6 SO-SO

Final Thoughts:

There is just something off about this beer. it starts off good but just really doesn't deliver in the end. It needs hot wings or nachos... to hide it's faults. Avoid.


Cheers

CJT

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Beer # 162 Alexander Keith's Saphir Hop

Alexander Keith's Saphir Hop Ale

Alexander Keith's Brewing Company

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Owned by Labatt Brewing Company a Subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev LTD
Pale Ale 5.5 % ABV Aluminum Can 473 ml
$2.65 (Canadian) At LCBO 

Twitter: @alexanderkeiths

A while back I did the Alexander Keith's "Threefer," When I got their mixed pack of beers made with single hop varieties (Galaxy, Hallertau, and Cascade). Just recently they have released the fourth variety in the series: the Saphir. Saphir is German for sapphire and is one of the newest hop varieties to be developed in Germany. Saphir has one of the lowest alpha acid contents of all the world's hops and is one of the highest in beta acids. Fairly similar to Hallertau Mittlefrueh it now replaces that hop in many German brews. 

Let's see how it does when it meets one of Canada's most famous (sort of) IPAs.

Onto the tasting...

Pours a light amber with a very light tan head made up of tiny bubbles. Aroma is very grassy and spicy with some light malt aromas. The hop really seems to accentuate the malt in this beer. The flavour is

bolder and deeper. Malt sugars are present and rich. Herbal grassy spice reigns through the middle some light citrus, a little limp and flat. Aeration gives us damp grain, hay and mown grass. Finish is the astringent aftertaste of poorly made tea. The can states that there should be hints of tangerine also, but I find  muted citrus at best is present in the background with a slight tinniness.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 

Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 2/6 SO-SO
Re-Order:  0/6 FAIL
Experience:  1/6 FAIL

Final Thoughts:

If you buy those poorly made German import beers that sell dirt cheap in the liquor store... this may be the beer for you. Astringent, bitter, and malty without real character, this is sadly another step down for what used to be a decent beer. This can go on the avoid pile, It is merely over commercialised beer trying to be fobbed off as "craft."



Cheers

CJT

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Cider Week: Cider # 5 Alexander Keith's Original Cider

Original Cider

Alexander Keith's Brewing Company

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Owned by Labatt Brewing Company a Subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev LTD
Adjunct Cider 5.5 % ABV Aluminum Can 473 ml
$3.05 (Canadian) At LCBO 

Twitter: @alexanderkeiths

It's getting near the end of cider week and I am hurrying to get all of the ciders done because I have some big, BIG, beers waiting in the fridge of fame to be tasted. Tonight we are trying The Keith's version of "Original" cider. It is another adjunct cider. I am mystified as to why multinationals need to use so much chemicals. I can get over a little Malic Acid as it actually comes from apples. it's that green apple snappy taste you get when you bite into a Granny Smith, or a perfectly ripe MacIntosh. However, in this they use extra sugars, colour, and flavour. Let the apples speak.

Onto the tasting.


Very clear gold with a hint of green. White head that is short lived. Nose is candy and sugar some artificial apple. First sip is very sweet.Tart, candies, malic acid, green apple, light spice.Aeration is sour and tart, malic acid is strong, and artificial apple.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 

Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Cider Style: 3/6 SO-SO
Re-Order:  3/6 SO-SO
Experience:  3/6 SO-SO

Final Thoughts:

Another just average cider. Too much artificial flavours going on in it. But, it is still drinkable, especially if you poured it over ice as they recommend (seriously don't ever do that!). Of the adjunct ciders I have done this week this is probably the best so far.

Cheers

CJT


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Threefer A Side by Side (by Side)

Beer # 139 Alexander Keith's Hop Series Cascade

Beer # 140 Alexander Keith's Hop Series Hallertauer

Beer # 141 Alexander Keith's Hop Series Galaxy

Alexander Keith's Brewing Company

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Owned by Labatt Brewing Company a Subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev LTD
Pale Ale 5.5 % ABV Brown Glass bottle 341 ml
$2.16 (Canadian) At LCBO  ($12.95 for a Six Pack)

Twitter: @alexanderkeiths


Ok... I am going to admit something that is very difficult for me to say out loud. I used to love Keith's. There... I said it. I experimented in college with other beers and Keith's... well we went steady for a long time. But that was a different time and Keith's was a different beer. Alexander Keith's Brewery in Halifax used to be proud, strong, and free. Then they signed a distribution deal with Labatt Brewing Company. And they were smart in the beginning. Keith's insisted that their jobs stay in Nova Scotia and all the Keith's beer that was shipped across Canada was brewed in the same plant Keith's had been brewed in since 1820. However, the brand exploded. Keith's was on fire, everybody wanted it. The brewery expanded, still more beer was needed. I think there was a time when it was almost impossible to find a bar that DIDN'T have Keith's on tap. I guess the demand finally outstripped the supply and eventually the brewery sold out to Labatt's . Ever since that time, Keith's has been different. After selling one beer, and one beer only for almost 200 years There was a Keith's White, and a Keith's Amber, and a Keith's light. Then came the Hop Series. and we won't even discuss the "FLAVOUR INFUSER!" 

Keith's my old beloved, is floundering. Like the time you know you local bar is about to go bankrupt because they suddenly start serving breakfast. Sadly this reeks of desperation. However, like a late night drunken text I am going to see Keith's again, one more time for you dear reader. Mainly because I miss the beer it used to be, and partly because I am intrigued by trying a beer that has been hopped three different ways.

So the idea behind the hop series, is that they have taken the Keith's standard IPA and used one varietal hop per batch. One American, one German, and one Australian. And the task at hand is to see how the same beer changes when exposed to the different hops.

Okay... what are hops? Hops are a small bud that grow on a vine that is related to the Cannabis plant (yes... that means Marijuana!) Originally added as a bittering agent and a preservative for beer, each different variety imparts a different flavour. Let's talk about the three at hand:


Cascade... USA

Developed at the University of Oregon in 1971 the Cascade hop was bred from an English Fuggle hop, a Russian Serebrianker hop and an unknown third hop..Named for the Cascade range of mountains that runs through Oregon, the hop was first used commercially by New Albion Brewing company (Now defunct) as a signature hop in their American Pale Ales (1976). Cascade is notably for it's floral fruity aromas.


Hallertauer... Germany

It is not said which variant of the Hallertauer hop this is but I am guessing it is the Hallertauer Mittlefrüh, which is the classic Bavarian hop variety. If you have had a German lager, you will recognise this spicy, bitter hop.


Galaxy... Australia

Created in 1994 this hop is noted for it's strong piney and tropical fruit aromas. Passion fruit, citrus, and pineapple.


Enough with the botany... onto the tasting!

Family Photo

Oh... and yes I had to break out the Riedel Wine glasses because I apparently do not have three matching beer glasses...

Cascade


Darkest of the three. Copper to amber in colour with a short lived off white head made of medium sized bubbles. The nose is fruity and green. some floral notes, petunias geraniums. First sip is apple, raisin some floral toasted malt, some caramel. Aeration brings out a bright green herbal and floral hop aroma.





Hallertauer

Orange to copper in colour with the faintest hint of green. The small off-white head is short lived also and similar sized bubbles. Nose is spicy, and bready, like winter baking, Cinnamon and clove.. First sip is more spice this time leaning toward the cardamom. A little rain watery, it feels like an ale and a German lager are competing for time in my mouth. The hops remind me of Bitburger, or other such German lagers. I feel conflicted tasting it. Aeration and finish is very lagerish, spicy, grainy, watery.


Galaxy

Orange in colour again but slightly darker than the Hallertauer, and also the hint of green is definitely stronger in this one. Head is almost identical to the other two, off-white, small to medium sized bubbles and not very long lasting. Aroma... wow! What a difference. Pine tree and oranges. It reminds me very much of Christmas as a child.the malt is also evident in the aroma more caramel  and roasty, toasty bread. First sip is candy orange and pine. Smooth very drinkable, the malt plays second fiddle to the hops. The grain and sugar is there but very muted. Citrus and pineapple through the middle. Pine tree and medicinal herbs are evident in the aeration.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 

                          Cascade             Hallertauer                Galaxy  (Out of 6)

Cost:                            5                         5                            5
Colour:                         5                         5                            5
Beer Style:                   4                         4                            4
Re-Order:                     3                         2                            5
Experience:                  4                         3                            5


Final Thoughts: 

Cascade: Smoothest of the three, bordering on a west coast ale. PASS

Hallertauer: Identity crisis, not sure if it is a lager or an ale. SO-SO

Galaxy: Most flavourful, most interesting Best of the three, only one I'd really be willing to buy again. High PASS.

I am reminded of a saying. Something about putting lipstick on a pig. In the end you still just have a pig. Keith's has gone rapidly downhill since Labatt purchased it outright. and the Hop Series, while it was a good idea, is probably not going to do much for the brand. Even worse is the "New Flavour Infuser!" Nothing says we don't give a shit about making our beer taste better than inventing a thing to let you try and make the beer taste better.

The Flavour Infuser... Not Ever Coming to this Blog

Is the hop series worth a try? Well yes, and no. If you are a Keith's, fan like I used to be, then I imagine you will appreciate the subtle nuances, and I admit it is interesting to see the difference changing the hops in the same beer makes. But truth be told... it's a marketing gimmick, by a brewery who is merely a footnote in Canadian brewing history by now. Buy local...

Cheers


CJT



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Beer # 133 Goose Island Sofie

Sofie

Goose Island BrewingCompany

Chicago, Illinois, USA
Owned by Anheuser-Busch Inbev
Belgian Style Farmhouse Ale (Flavoured) 6.5 % ABV 
Brown Glass Bottle 765 ml
$9.95 (Canadian) At LCBO 
Twitter: @gooseisland

Another quick one from Goose Island. Tonight's beer is a Belgian Farmhouse ale that is done slightly differently. 20% of the beer is aged in wine barrels with orange peels, then blended with regular ale. It is a nice touch leaving the beer very complex yet still subtle. It also is unfiltered and bottle conditioned on the lees.

Onto the tasting:

Light gold in colour with a slight tinge of green and just a hint of cloudiness. Bright white, towering head made up of medium sized bubbles.Head disperses quickly leaving a delicate lace pattern. Nose is very green with orange peel, mixed citrus and coriander some caramel and vanilla, very light. Some light bread and yeast notes. First sip is winey, green, caramel, bready, fruit and floral. Some tartness at the finish. Aeration brings out oak, caramel, vanilla and yeast.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 


Cost: 4/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Re-Order:  6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Experience:  5/6 PASS


Final Thoughts: 

A very good beer, lots of complexity, yet not overwhelming. A good blend of barley and wheat to make a smooth very drinkable beer.
Cheers

CJT



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Beer # 132 Goose Island Matilda

Matilda

Goose Island BrewingCompany

Chicago, Illinois, USA
Owned by Anheuser-Busch Inbev
Belgian Style Pale Ale 7.0 % ABV Brown Glass Bottle 765 ml
$9.95 (Canadian) At LCBO 
Twitter: @gooseisland

I had heard of this brewery before and I was very excited when I discovered it at a local LCBO. Goose Island was started in 1988 as a brew pub named Clybourn. It became known as Goose Island brewing company in 1995 when it opened it's main brewery. It then opened a second brewpub called Wrigleyville in 1999. As of 2011 Fulton Street Brewing company, the legal name of Goose Island Brewing Company, was sold to Anheuser-Busch Inbev.

Onto the tasting:

Light orange to gold in colour with a fluffy white head made up of medium sized bubbles. Good lacing and long lasting head. Aroma is very fruity and yeasty with a slight cinnamon and clove scent hidden in the middle. First sip is citrus mainly orange, very light and refreshing followed by a warming of the body from the alcohol. Fruit gives way to roasty caramel, vanilla and a little bread. There is a good amount of residual sweetness, yet the beer drinks very clean. The lips are not sticky, nor does the sugar seem sickly. There is some similarity to an aged hard apple cider, some tartness, tartaric acid, green apple. Strong resemblance to a champagne as well, tart and bready. Aeration gives us a creamy feeling airy and effervescent mouthfeel citrus and apple.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 


Cost: 4/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Re-Order:  6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Experience:  5/6 PASS


Final Thoughts: 

Like drinking a good wine. It is well crafted and full of flavours. I was eagerly anticipating this beer, however I was disappointed to find it was a Macro-craft. Wholly owned by one of the largest breweries in the world, I am worried that something will be sacrificed. Hopefully they will be able to maintain their high standards.
Cheers

CJT



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