Experimental Ale (Autumn 2015)
Goose Island Beer Co.
- From:
- Goose Island Beer Co.
- Illinois, United States
- Style:
- English Bitter
- ABV:
- 5.7%
- Score:
- 85
- Avg:
- 3.75 | pDev: 9.07%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 18
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Sep 24, 2025
- Added:
- Aug 16, 2015
- Wants:
- 1
- Gots:
- 17
SCORE
85
Very Good
85
Very Good
With hops grown for Goose Island at Elk Mountain Farms, our copper colored, extra special bitter has fruity hop aromas and rich toasty malts. Cascade and Columbus hops.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Rated by ttoadee from Texas
3.35/5 rDev -10.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.35/5 rDev -10.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
RB transfer
Sep 24, 2025
Reviewed by DrDemento456 from Pennsylvania
3.7/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.7/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Found this in the back of my fridge must be 8 months old. Pours a deep amber red color with minimal head/lacing. Smells of hops and bitters with a touch of biscuit malts. Slightly herbal and dry but refreshing and has a nice hop bitterness to it that held up quite well for the age.
May 14, 2016
Reviewed by TheManiacalOne from Rhode Island
3.68/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.68/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
On-tap 2/7/2016 at Doherty’s East Ave Irish Pub in Pawtucket, RI, served in a tapered pint glass.
A: The beer is a light brown color, with a large off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a very thick lace on the glass.
S: The aroma contains caramelized malts, some hops, nuts and some fruit.
T: The taste starts out with a hearty malt character breadiness that is quickly followed by a good burst of earthy hops bitterness. Then some mild flavors of fruit and nuts come in to create a decent balance. The after-taste is slightly hoppy and slightly sweet.
M: Crisp and a little smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.
O: A little tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, decent kick, decent representation of style, it’s a solid beer to drink for a while if you’re in the mood for the style.
Feb 07, 2016A: The beer is a light brown color, with a large off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a very thick lace on the glass.
S: The aroma contains caramelized malts, some hops, nuts and some fruit.
T: The taste starts out with a hearty malt character breadiness that is quickly followed by a good burst of earthy hops bitterness. Then some mild flavors of fruit and nuts come in to create a decent balance. The after-taste is slightly hoppy and slightly sweet.
M: Crisp and a little smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.
O: A little tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, decent kick, decent representation of style, it’s a solid beer to drink for a while if you’re in the mood for the style.
Reviewed by Eeroomnhoj from Virginia
3.86/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.86/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bought a few of these and just finished my third one tonight. Enjoyed the second one the most as it was the coldest. It was definitely a bitter beer and seems to be a beer I would not want to drink several of. I'd drink it again and look forward to that day. Might be good after a long hike.
Dec 12, 2015
Reviewed by Hopheadjeffery from Illinois
3.93/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.93/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Tasted in a Teku glass from a 12 oz bottle on November 21, 2015. Look is copper with a thick tan head and light lacing. Smell is fruity hops and roasted malt notes. Taste is fruit with rich toasted malt flavors. Feel is light to medium in body with a smooth rich finish.
Nov 27, 2015
Reviewed by BEERMILER12 from Maine
3.88/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.88/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A: Pours a deep copper color with 2 fingers of head that slowly fades down to a nice cap that leaves decent lacing
S: A solid mix of caramel maltiness and firm hoppiness. A little on the sweet and fruity side with a bit of toastiness
T: Follows the nose. Starts off with some of the maltiness (minus the sweetness present in the nose) along with a bitter edge. Fruitiness and toastiness grow into the finish, where the bitterness hangs on. Very well balanced
M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation
O: A solid ESB with good balance and drinkability. A bit like Honkers with a fruitier hop note
Nov 27, 2015S: A solid mix of caramel maltiness and firm hoppiness. A little on the sweet and fruity side with a bit of toastiness
T: Follows the nose. Starts off with some of the maltiness (minus the sweetness present in the nose) along with a bitter edge. Fruitiness and toastiness grow into the finish, where the bitterness hangs on. Very well balanced
M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation
O: A solid ESB with good balance and drinkability. A bit like Honkers with a fruitier hop note
Reviewed by Troy-Hawaii from Hawaii
3.52/5 rDev -6.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.52/5 rDev -6.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Part of a variety 12 pack $14.99 Times Supermarket. Copper orange color, slight bitter hoppy taste, medium mouthfeel, overall an ok beer to try but I wouldn't buy a 5 pack of it.
Nov 26, 2015
Rated by rlee1390 from Indiana
3.5/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Malt, some caramel, malty mess.
Nov 25, 2015
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