Goose Fest Bier
Goose Island Beer Co.
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- Lager - Märzen / Oktoberfest
Ranked #319 - ABV:
- 5.7%
- Score:
- 83
Ranked #40,492 - Avg:
- 3.68 | pDev: 11.41%
- Reviews:
- 287
- Ratings:
- From:
- Goose Island Beer Co.
- Illinois, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 28
- Gots
- 204
SCORE
83
Good
83
Good
Notes:
Formerly Goose Oktoberfest
Goose Fest Bier is brimming with notes of toasted malt and freshly baked rye bread. This light-bodied German lager is clean and crisp with a fine noble hop character and mild earthy bitterness that is the hallmark of Hallertau hops. Raise a few steins of Goose Fest Bier this fall and celebrate this time-honored tradition, Prost!
Goose Fest Bier is brimming with notes of toasted malt and freshly baked rye bread. This light-bodied German lager is clean and crisp with a fine noble hop character and mild earthy bitterness that is the hallmark of Hallertau hops. Raise a few steins of Goose Fest Bier this fall and celebrate this time-honored tradition, Prost!
Reviews: 287
| Ratings: 1,007
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Reviews by burnerfinger:
burnerfinger from Texas
4.65/5 rDev +26.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
got this to fill out a "make your own six pack" at Krogers.
SUPER happy about this:
A pours a nice golden-red. one finger of Khaki head - thick with tight bubbles, nearly no lacing.
clarity is medium at best
S NICE malty foreground, a bit of hops way in the back
T: really like this, comples maltiness, just abit of a bite (trylu not sure if it's ABV or hops)
M: just right....
D: really , Really Great. not a session beer but this one is to be Treasured.
Oct 24, 2015
4.65/5 rDev +26.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
got this to fill out a "make your own six pack" at Krogers.
SUPER happy about this:
A pours a nice golden-red. one finger of Khaki head - thick with tight bubbles, nearly no lacing.
clarity is medium at best
S NICE malty foreground, a bit of hops way in the back
T: really like this, comples maltiness, just abit of a bite (trylu not sure if it's ABV or hops)
M: just right....
D: really , Really Great. not a session beer but this one is to be Treasured.
Oct 24, 2015
More User Reviews:
woodychandler from Pennsylvania
3.99/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
I am both purging and divesting myself of bottles, but I seem to always find one or two loosey goosies (sorry) in single-o coolers around town. It does not hurt that The Friendly Greek Bottle Shop is such an enabler, either! Why leave with just one or two when you can Mix-a-Six?
From the bottle: "Holiday Release"; "Traditional Marzen"; "Prized Hallertau hops provide earthy bitterness to a malty body with pleasant hints of dried apricot and toffee aroma."; "Serve in a stein". With the renaming comes new labeling: "Toasted, Bready Malt * Noble Hop Character"; " Märzenbier inspired by the classic Festbier style"; "Hallertau Tradition Hops".
Another great pseudo-cascade following a mighty pour! It drives #TheOldLady nuts when I do it, but I like the head formation, the release of esters, and the visual aspect of it. I got just over a finger of foamy, tawny head that quickly fell to wisps. I usually do not get hung on clarity one way or the other, but this had NE-plus quality clarity! I could see through the walls into the neighbor's house, I could see into the future, I could see France, I could see your underpants! I am going to describe the magnificent color as somewhere between Deep Amber/Light Copper and Copper (SRM = > 13, < 17). I definitely got the toffee and earthy aromas on the nose. I do not like sweet beers, so if they held the mats in check, I am really going to like this beer. Mouthfeel was medium, approaching full with its carbonation. I will buy both dried apricot and certainly toffee as flavors, and there was a very earthy grassy quality also, but I did not perceive any of it as "bitter", or what I think of as bitter. IBU = 17. Come on! I apologize for drinking it from a shaker glass as opposed to a stein (German for "stone"), but I need to see it in order to review it. Man, this was a mellow beer. The tastes just kind of swirled around in my mouth and on my tongue and time passed pleasantly by. Finish was semi-dry, lightly fruity, slightly grassy. Yum.
Aug 16, 2014
3.99/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
I am both purging and divesting myself of bottles, but I seem to always find one or two loosey goosies (sorry) in single-o coolers around town. It does not hurt that The Friendly Greek Bottle Shop is such an enabler, either! Why leave with just one or two when you can Mix-a-Six?
From the bottle: "Holiday Release"; "Traditional Marzen"; "Prized Hallertau hops provide earthy bitterness to a malty body with pleasant hints of dried apricot and toffee aroma."; "Serve in a stein". With the renaming comes new labeling: "Toasted, Bready Malt * Noble Hop Character"; " Märzenbier inspired by the classic Festbier style"; "Hallertau Tradition Hops".
Another great pseudo-cascade following a mighty pour! It drives #TheOldLady nuts when I do it, but I like the head formation, the release of esters, and the visual aspect of it. I got just over a finger of foamy, tawny head that quickly fell to wisps. I usually do not get hung on clarity one way or the other, but this had NE-plus quality clarity! I could see through the walls into the neighbor's house, I could see into the future, I could see France, I could see your underpants! I am going to describe the magnificent color as somewhere between Deep Amber/Light Copper and Copper (SRM = > 13, < 17). I definitely got the toffee and earthy aromas on the nose. I do not like sweet beers, so if they held the mats in check, I am really going to like this beer. Mouthfeel was medium, approaching full with its carbonation. I will buy both dried apricot and certainly toffee as flavors, and there was a very earthy grassy quality also, but I did not perceive any of it as "bitter", or what I think of as bitter. IBU = 17. Come on! I apologize for drinking it from a shaker glass as opposed to a stein (German for "stone"), but I need to see it in order to review it. Man, this was a mellow beer. The tastes just kind of swirled around in my mouth and on my tongue and time passed pleasantly by. Finish was semi-dry, lightly fruity, slightly grassy. Yum.
Aug 16, 2014
KonigObHops from Ohio
4.55/5 rDev +23.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
The beer pours a deep copper color with a beige head that is about two finger widths thick.
The label on the bottle does not lie. There are notes of apricot and toffee in the aroma.
The taste is about what you would expect after smelling this beer. The apricot is fruity and sweet up front, and then the toffee is pretty deep and intense in the middle. The beer finishes with a dry malty flavor.
The mouthfeel is excellent on this beer. It was smooth and a bit creamy.
I like Oktoberfests that are either true to the style or a unique spin on the style that actually works. The latter are few and far between, but Goose Island nailed this one. This is a beer that is interesting and tasty. An Oktoberfest worth going out and getting.
Sep 04, 2016
4.55/5 rDev +23.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
The beer pours a deep copper color with a beige head that is about two finger widths thick.
The label on the bottle does not lie. There are notes of apricot and toffee in the aroma.
The taste is about what you would expect after smelling this beer. The apricot is fruity and sweet up front, and then the toffee is pretty deep and intense in the middle. The beer finishes with a dry malty flavor.
The mouthfeel is excellent on this beer. It was smooth and a bit creamy.
I like Oktoberfests that are either true to the style or a unique spin on the style that actually works. The latter are few and far between, but Goose Island nailed this one. This is a beer that is interesting and tasty. An Oktoberfest worth going out and getting.
Sep 04, 2016
larryarms847 from Illinois
3.59/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Pours an amberish "copper" golden red with a finger and half of slightly off white foam.
Strong sweet notes of biscuits, caramel, and toasted grains with a slightly noticeable noble hop earthy and spicy aroma.
Sweet malt bill overpowers the earthy and spicy noble hop bill and provides a rather lackluster flavor experience.
Light-bodied, medium-high carbonation, crisp, sweet and semi-dry finish.
Overall, not a bad example of the Marzen style, but I'd rather pick up a shining example of the style and this is not that.
Jan 01, 2017
3.59/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Pours an amberish "copper" golden red with a finger and half of slightly off white foam.
Strong sweet notes of biscuits, caramel, and toasted grains with a slightly noticeable noble hop earthy and spicy aroma.
Sweet malt bill overpowers the earthy and spicy noble hop bill and provides a rather lackluster flavor experience.
Light-bodied, medium-high carbonation, crisp, sweet and semi-dry finish.
Overall, not a bad example of the Marzen style, but I'd rather pick up a shining example of the style and this is not that.
Jan 01, 2017
FBarber from Illinois
3.44/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a light almost orange amber color. Completely clear. Thick bubbly tan head dissipates leaving a ring of sudsy tan bubbles along the outside of the beer and a couple lacey spots of tan bubbles on the glass.
Aroma is sweet - caramel and bread notes up front. Maybe a touch of grassy hops, but its mostly sweet caramel.
Taste is sweet up front - caramel and sweet bread transitioning to a more toasty flavor that brings with it the spicy hop finish. More spicy than bitter. Herbal lingering flavor is left behind on the finish. There is also some red wine grape and dark fruit notes that I get as the beer warms.
Feel is light and drinkable but not thin. Mild to moderate carbonation.
Overall a solid oktoberfest. Generally a solid American take on the style, but it does nothing to move it from just an average example of the Americanized style to the better more traditional takes on the style.
Sep 25, 2017
3.44/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a light almost orange amber color. Completely clear. Thick bubbly tan head dissipates leaving a ring of sudsy tan bubbles along the outside of the beer and a couple lacey spots of tan bubbles on the glass.
Aroma is sweet - caramel and bread notes up front. Maybe a touch of grassy hops, but its mostly sweet caramel.
Taste is sweet up front - caramel and sweet bread transitioning to a more toasty flavor that brings with it the spicy hop finish. More spicy than bitter. Herbal lingering flavor is left behind on the finish. There is also some red wine grape and dark fruit notes that I get as the beer warms.
Feel is light and drinkable but not thin. Mild to moderate carbonation.
Overall a solid oktoberfest. Generally a solid American take on the style, but it does nothing to move it from just an average example of the Americanized style to the better more traditional takes on the style.
Sep 25, 2017
Tucquan from Pennsylvania
3.72/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Had this on 2017-08-11 in Columbia, PA from a 12oz bottle
A - Very clear golden-caramel color with a 1-finger light tan head and mild lace.
S - Lightly-toasted nutty-bread with some apple butter sweetness.
T - Much like the aroma with the light bread and nut flavors followed by a slight dash of caramel. It finished with some spice and appropriately bitterness. There's not much malt complexity but the malt flavors is good and it's well balanced to boot.
M - Light-medium body and medium-plus carbonation. Fairly smooth and then mostly dries out.
O - This is an easy to drink and enjoyable brew. Had it side-by-side with the 2017 Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest collaboration, which has a much deeper malt complexity
Aug 11, 2017
3.72/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Had this on 2017-08-11 in Columbia, PA from a 12oz bottle
A - Very clear golden-caramel color with a 1-finger light tan head and mild lace.
S - Lightly-toasted nutty-bread with some apple butter sweetness.
T - Much like the aroma with the light bread and nut flavors followed by a slight dash of caramel. It finished with some spice and appropriately bitterness. There's not much malt complexity but the malt flavors is good and it's well balanced to boot.
M - Light-medium body and medium-plus carbonation. Fairly smooth and then mostly dries out.
O - This is an easy to drink and enjoyable brew. Had it side-by-side with the 2017 Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest collaboration, which has a much deeper malt complexity
Aug 11, 2017
POOGMAN from Maryland
4.33/5 rDev +17.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
A great Americanized oktoberfest. Awesome balance of malt and lager. Genuinely one of my favorite state side oktober crafts. Toffee is super present, but doesn't offer too much sweetness. Bold in flavor with a nice ABV punch. Delicious.
Sep 13, 2016
4.33/5 rDev +17.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
A great Americanized oktoberfest. Awesome balance of malt and lager. Genuinely one of my favorite state side oktober crafts. Toffee is super present, but doesn't offer too much sweetness. Bold in flavor with a nice ABV punch. Delicious.
Sep 13, 2016
beergorrilla from Michigan
3.5/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Sep 13, 2015
3.5/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Sep 13, 2015
hophugger from Virginia
3.08/5 rDev -16.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Nov 14, 2015
3.08/5 rDev -16.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Nov 14, 2015
nobledust from New York
3.16/5 rDev -14.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Oct 08, 2016
3.16/5 rDev -14.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Oct 08, 2016
freewill35 from Indiana
3.75/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Sep 09, 2016
3.75/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Sep 09, 2016
Hohnbaum from Kansas
3.58/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Aug 21, 2015
3.58/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Aug 21, 2015
ColoradoRich from Colorado
3.61/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Hoppier than I prefer my Oktoberfest beers.
Nov 01, 2016
3.61/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Hoppier than I prefer my Oktoberfest beers.
Nov 01, 2016
dsa7783 from New Jersey
3.41/5 rDev -7.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Pours a tawny ruddy hue with minimal frothing. Mellow aroma replete with hints of malts and grain. Similar overall flavor profile.
Dec 31, 2017
3.41/5 rDev -7.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Pours a tawny ruddy hue with minimal frothing. Mellow aroma replete with hints of malts and grain. Similar overall flavor profile.
Dec 31, 2017
Turbo from Minnesota
3.5/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Oct 07, 2016
3.5/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Oct 07, 2016
Vetbidder from Pennsylvania
3.6/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Light copper really see through with almost no head and a slight amount of bubbles seen rising. Scent of slight caramel malt, slight grassy (noble) hops scent. This has a decent flavor but not one I normally associate with a Festbier without any of the toasty/ nutty flavors. Some spicy hops and a bready finish much like a pils with some slight bitterness. Medium/thin in mouthfeel with ample carbonation. Decent flavor
Oct 20, 2017
3.6/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Light copper really see through with almost no head and a slight amount of bubbles seen rising. Scent of slight caramel malt, slight grassy (noble) hops scent. This has a decent flavor but not one I normally associate with a Festbier without any of the toasty/ nutty flavors. Some spicy hops and a bready finish much like a pils with some slight bitterness. Medium/thin in mouthfeel with ample carbonation. Decent flavor
Oct 20, 2017
HabaJohn from Illinois
4.14/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Oct 16, 2016
4.14/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Oct 16, 2016
AccipiterofBeer from New York
3.98/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Oct 06, 2017
3.98/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Oct 06, 2017
Goose Fest Bier from Goose Island Beer Co.
Beer rating:
83 out of
100 with
1007 ratings
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