Honker's Ale
Goose Island Beer Co.

Honker's AleHonker's Ale
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From:
Goose Island Beer Co.
 
Illinois, United States
Style:
English Bitter
Ranked #74
ABV:
4.3%
Score:
83
Ranked #24,458
Avg:
3.65 | pDev: 11.78%
Reviews:
1,149
Ratings:
4,003
Status:
Active
Rated:
Dec 09, 2023
Added:
Aug 08, 2001
Wants:
  105
Gots:
  765
Golden sunset color, fruity hop aroma, biscuity malt flavor, soft body.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by bobhits:
Photo of bobhits
Reviewed by bobhits from Kentucky

3.88/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A hint of gold a hint of orange and a hint of yellow make up the color here. The beer however is nearly crystal clear with marginal lacing and head or carbonation in the body. Still I like this color.

Citrus American hops come to mind when I smell this. A lot of grapefruit...English Bitter?

Much like the aromas a lot of grape fruit hops. There's a very english style cracker grain like malt and yeast. Throw in some earthy grass notes and a very weak and simple malt finish.

The low abv and weaker carbonation here make this a very mild and simple beer to drink.

Great complex flavors with some what lack luster other parts. I really enjoy this one overall.
Jan 17, 2012
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.31 by scottyshades from Florida

Dec 09, 2023
Photo of Tricolour_Absurd
Reviewed by Tricolour_Absurd

4.4/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
nbsoc;
Rated for the style on look, all others against all ales, this is the hill Goose stands on and yet refuses to distribute, go figure, at least I’m from Chicago
Oct 22, 2023
 
Rated: 4.09 by Brian_J from Illinois

Sep 30, 2023
Photo of bristol2120
Reviewed by bristol2120 from Illinois

3/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Deep copper orange in color. Head fades quickly leaving a bit of lacing. There is not much to be found in the nose, very subdued. Taste approximates what you would expect of the style, but there was a very slight hint of smokiness in the aftertaste. Mouthfeel is smooth, with understated carbonation. This is a fairly inoffensive take on a style that is overlooked by many brewers. Not bad, but not really anything to go out of your way for.
Jan 30, 2023
 
Rated: 3.5 by carolinabeerguy from North Carolina

Jan 04, 2023
Photo of Rug
Reviewed by Rug from Massachusetts

3.71/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
The first beer of my trip to Chicago for Riot Fest! Honkers is one of those beers always spoken fondly of by old school BAs, and I figure there’s no better way to start off the trip than with this beer I don’t see in Massachusetts. Let’s dive in

Pours a cloudy deep orange amber with 2 fingers of light tan head that slowly fades to a cap and leaves decent lacing

It doesn’t have all that much presence in the nose, but what’s there is pretty good. I’m picking up on aromas of biscuity malt, floral hops, lemon zest, honey, and light pepper

It’s a bit more expressive in taste, but still not a punch in the face or anything. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting herbal hops, crackery malt, honey, orange zest, and green tea. The swallow brings notes of black tea, floral hops, biscuity malt, honey, toasted grain, and light orange

A light medium body pairs with moderate carbonation, resulting in a crisp beer. Finishes mostly dry but a bit watery

This is nothing amazing, but I wasn’t expecting anything amazing. This is a mediocre example of an old school style from a bygone era. That being said, it’s still a really enjoyable beer to drink despite its flaws
Sep 15, 2022
Photo of Krazytt
Rated by Krazytt

3.03/5  rDev -17%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Liked it wouldn't b my go to
But I can drink
Sep 08, 2022
Photo of PatDrinks
Rated by PatDrinks

4.16/5  rDev +14%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Smooth drink
Sep 08, 2022
Photo of NCSapiens
Reviewed by NCSapiens from Indiana

3.59/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
The first ESB I ever tried, and I thought I hated the style until I tried Fuller’s ESB, which is really great. Turns out the problem isn’t the style, it is that this is a mediocre tasting ale at best.
Aug 11, 2022
 
Rated: 3.75 by xdtfx from Illinois

Jul 17, 2022
 
Rated: 3.94 by not2quick from Missouri

Jul 13, 2022
 
Rated: 3.75 by Chris7482 from Illinois

Jun 16, 2022
Photo of illtexzona
Reviewed by illtexzona from Illinois

3.84/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
On draft at Goose Island Clybourn 1/15/21

Reddish amber hues with thin white head. Dark malt and and some dark fruits on the nose. Sweet malt, breadiness, hint of fruits, and mildy bitter taste. It's fairly light and easy on the palate. This was my first Goose Island beer and I will always come back to it. It's a great sessionable ESB.
Jan 17, 2022
 
Rated: 3.62 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota

Nov 21, 2021
 
Rated: 3.56 by tottel from Netherlands

Jul 30, 2021
 
Rated: 4.1 by BrewsOverHoes from Georgia

Jun 10, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by jeschaefer from Texas

Apr 18, 2021
Photo of StanleysCup
Reviewed by StanleysCup from Maryland

3.77/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Was once one of my "go-to" options in the days of independent Goose Island; this was my standard bearer for ESBs for some time. The post AB-InBev offering isn't as appealing; the most recent offerings seem to lack the maltiness and body I enjoyed previously. The scores above reflect an average of pre/post acquisition.
Feb 23, 2021
 
Rated: 3.58 by TwilightBeerCareer from Illinois

Feb 15, 2021
Honker's Ale from Goose Island Beer Co.
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 4003 ratings