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Honker's Ale
Goose Island Beer Co.
- From:
- Goose Island Beer Co.
- Illinois, United States
- Style:
- English Bitter
Ranked #70 - ABV:
- 4.3%
- Score:
- 83
Ranked #24,430 - Avg:
- 3.65 | pDev: 11.78%
- Reviews:
- 1,149
- Ratings:
- 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 jennib1:
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Tricolour_Absurd
4.4/5 rDev +20.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
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, 2023Rated 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
Reviewed by bristol2120 from Illinois
3/5 rDev -17.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
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, 2023Reviewed by Rug from Massachusetts
3.71/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
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, 2022Pours 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
Rated by Krazytt
3.03/5 rDev -17%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
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, 2022But I can drink
Rated by PatDrinks
4.16/5 rDev +14%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.16/5 rDev +14%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Smooth drink
Sep 08, 2022Reviewed 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
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, 2022Reviewed by illtexzona from Illinois
3.84/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
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, 2022Reddish 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.
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
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
Honker's Ale from Goose Island Beer Co.
Beer rating:
83 out of
100 with
4003 ratings
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