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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Sofie
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
Follow me on Twitter: @pintjockey
Matilda
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
Follow me on Twitter: @pintjockey
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.
Re-Order: 1/6 FAIL
