Winter Brown
Goose Island Beer Co.

 

Had this many times recently at Goose Island (because it's so damn good!), but finally took some notes at their Feb. "Beer Academy."

Pours a very cloudy, light brown color with a medium-to-small white head. The wonderful smell emanating from this beer is spicey and hoppy, and yes, does remind me of Christmas.

The taste? Crisp, spicey, hoppy flavors behind a thick malt front. Wonderfully balanced and full of flavor, and really easy to drink.

The Goose Island Web site claims the Winter Brown has "an aroma reminiscent of a pine forest covered in fresh snow." I can very much see this. I spoke briefly to Will (Goose Island's brewmaster) about the beer, and he said there are no spices added - that wonderfully spicey flavor comes solely from the hops. He also said the beer changes from year to year (this was the 2003/2004 version).