Harvest Ale | Goose Island Beer Co.
Brewed by:
Goose Island Beer Co.
Illinois, United States
gooseisland.com
Style: Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.70%
Availability: Fall
Notes / Commercial Description:
Dark auburn color, citrus hop aroma, caramel flavor, medium body
Added by BeerAdvocate on 09-03-2007
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 1,095 | Reviews: 403
Reviews by dancaplette:
More User Reviews:
3.88/5 rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottled on 09/09/10.Poured into a Willie glass a bright copper color with a fluffy one finger white head that left shotty lace as it settled slowly.Definently malt driven in the nose,caramel toffee,and slightly roasted nuts mainly stick out,slight herbal hop that lingers.Flavors are malt driven and have a bit of malt complexity,caramel toffee,light fruit,and toasted nut,the hops are light with a lingering herbal finish.Not like most harvest ales in the fact its mainly malt,the complexity to the malt is nice.
513 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottled on 09/09/10.Poured into a Willie glass a bright copper color with a fluffy one finger white head that left shotty lace as it settled slowly.Definently malt driven in the nose,caramel toffee,and slightly roasted nuts mainly stick out,slight herbal hop that lingers.Flavors are malt driven and have a bit of malt complexity,caramel toffee,light fruit,and toasted nut,the hops are light with a lingering herbal finish.Not like most harvest ales in the fact its mainly malt,the complexity to the malt is nice.
513 characters
3.48/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A: A light copper with an orange hue and excellent clarity. There creamy off-white dissipates to a thin cap and a ring after but is easily roused.
S: A grassy Citrus hop and light caramel malt aroma great the nose like a milder IPA . There is a light fruity ester with a slight orange note and a slight soft alcohol note. No diacetyl.
T: A soft grainy malt flavor balance by a pleasant fresh hop flavor and moderate hop bitterness. There is some citrus hops notes mixed with very light esters. The balance is moderately towards the bitter with a lingering hops bitterness carrying through the dry finish.
M: Soft and cream is the overriding impression with a medium-light body with moderate to moderately-high carbonation. There is a light and lasting astringency from the hops but I don't mind it.
O: A pleasant ESB brewed with citrusy American hops with what was probably fresh, wet hops. The astringency might be avoided by using a high alpha hops. This was brewed by AB because I know Goose Island didn't build a brewery there but it looks like Goose Island still has a good hold on controlling the recipe as it's a pretty good beer but not as good as I'd expect from them.
1,184 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A: A light copper with an orange hue and excellent clarity. There creamy off-white dissipates to a thin cap and a ring after but is easily roused.
S: A grassy Citrus hop and light caramel malt aroma great the nose like a milder IPA . There is a light fruity ester with a slight orange note and a slight soft alcohol note. No diacetyl.
T: A soft grainy malt flavor balance by a pleasant fresh hop flavor and moderate hop bitterness. There is some citrus hops notes mixed with very light esters. The balance is moderately towards the bitter with a lingering hops bitterness carrying through the dry finish.
M: Soft and cream is the overriding impression with a medium-light body with moderate to moderately-high carbonation. There is a light and lasting astringency from the hops but I don't mind it.
O: A pleasant ESB brewed with citrusy American hops with what was probably fresh, wet hops. The astringency might be avoided by using a high alpha hops. This was brewed by AB because I know Goose Island didn't build a brewery there but it looks like Goose Island still has a good hold on controlling the recipe as it's a pretty good beer but not as good as I'd expect from them.
1,184 characters
4.3/5 rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Goose Island Harvest, 2010
Nicely balanced ESB. Pours a nice copper hugh with a creamy white head. Smell has hits of toasted malts, honey, and citrus hops; none of of the smells are overpowering.
Considering the head on the beer there is little carbonation. The beer is very balanced. There are hits of honey, a nice smokey flavor from the malts, and a cleansing bitterness from the hops. The taste of the beer is exactly what was expected based on the smell.
All in all, this is a great autumn beer. Definitely session worthy.
531 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Goose Island Harvest, 2010
Nicely balanced ESB. Pours a nice copper hugh with a creamy white head. Smell has hits of toasted malts, honey, and citrus hops; none of of the smells are overpowering.
Considering the head on the beer there is little carbonation. The beer is very balanced. There are hits of honey, a nice smokey flavor from the malts, and a cleansing bitterness from the hops. The taste of the beer is exactly what was expected based on the smell.
All in all, this is a great autumn beer. Definitely session worthy.
531 characters
4.45/5 rDev +19.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Presentation: It was poured from a brown 12oz bottle into a pint glass. The label has a "Bottled On" date (08/30/10) but no ABV%
Appearance: The body has a rich hazy amber color with some nice visible carbonation and a light beige head on top. This head is about two fingers tall at the end of the pour and fades slowly making some nice lace patterns on the way down the glass.
Smell: The aroma has some herbal/earthy/leafy hops up first with some mellow fruity/estery and light caramel like malty sweetness in the background.
Taste/Palate: The flavor reflects this with a great balance or mix of bready, yeasty and fruity (apricot/peach notes) maltiness with herbal and slightly citrusy floral hops. Its medium bodied and smoothly textured with a well blended mild finish.
Notes: The subtle complexity and great drinkability make for a fun rounded drinking session.
873 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Presentation: It was poured from a brown 12oz bottle into a pint glass. The label has a "Bottled On" date (08/30/10) but no ABV%
Appearance: The body has a rich hazy amber color with some nice visible carbonation and a light beige head on top. This head is about two fingers tall at the end of the pour and fades slowly making some nice lace patterns on the way down the glass.
Smell: The aroma has some herbal/earthy/leafy hops up first with some mellow fruity/estery and light caramel like malty sweetness in the background.
Taste/Palate: The flavor reflects this with a great balance or mix of bready, yeasty and fruity (apricot/peach notes) maltiness with herbal and slightly citrusy floral hops. Its medium bodied and smoothly textured with a well blended mild finish.
Notes: The subtle complexity and great drinkability make for a fun rounded drinking session.
873 characters
3.78/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
12 ouncer, Bottled on dating on the rear label of "08/12/08", nice gotta love fresh beer and this stuff has been in the bottle for just about 6 weeks....pours typical medium amber, nice soft creamy head/fine bubble film and fine, delicate lacing. Nose is of sweet biscuits and malt. Pleasant, balanced offering. The kind of beer you could drink all night. Crowd pleaser, and a nice entry level beer for newbies to the good beer world.
434 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
12 ouncer, Bottled on dating on the rear label of "08/12/08", nice gotta love fresh beer and this stuff has been in the bottle for just about 6 weeks....pours typical medium amber, nice soft creamy head/fine bubble film and fine, delicate lacing. Nose is of sweet biscuits and malt. Pleasant, balanced offering. The kind of beer you could drink all night. Crowd pleaser, and a nice entry level beer for newbies to the good beer world.
434 characters
3.03/5 rDev -18.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Appearance: dark brown, 1/4 inch head, clear, high carbonation
Smell: hops and citrus
Taste: subtle taste of malts mixing with some piney hops
Mouthfeel: light for the style, very high carbonation
Drinkability: Not a favorite and I will be passing on this one in the future. It almost drinks like a pale ale.
312 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Appearance: dark brown, 1/4 inch head, clear, high carbonation
Smell: hops and citrus
Taste: subtle taste of malts mixing with some piney hops
Mouthfeel: light for the style, very high carbonation
Drinkability: Not a favorite and I will be passing on this one in the future. It almost drinks like a pale ale.
312 characters
4.05/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Serving glass: Poured from bottle into Nonic Imperial Pint.
Appearance: Hazy, dusky orange with thin head and slight lacing.
Smell: Citrus, grapefruit, dry malts and some spiciness.
Taste: Dry toasted and fruity malts offset by some American citrus/pine hops. While not a spiced beer, there seems to be a lot of spice at the end.
Feel: Low to moderate carbonation, medium body that is slightly smooth. Fairly dry. Feels more like an ESB than most American offerings.
Drinkability: Easy drinking Autumn ale. It is a nice alternative to the Marzens, Pumpkins Beers and Brown Ales. Very solid ESB overall.
607 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Serving glass: Poured from bottle into Nonic Imperial Pint.
Appearance: Hazy, dusky orange with thin head and slight lacing.
Smell: Citrus, grapefruit, dry malts and some spiciness.
Taste: Dry toasted and fruity malts offset by some American citrus/pine hops. While not a spiced beer, there seems to be a lot of spice at the end.
Feel: Low to moderate carbonation, medium body that is slightly smooth. Fairly dry. Feels more like an ESB than most American offerings.
Drinkability: Easy drinking Autumn ale. It is a nice alternative to the Marzens, Pumpkins Beers and Brown Ales. Very solid ESB overall.
607 characters
3/5 rDev -19.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
This ale was poured out from the bottle and into a pint glass. It had good clarity and was dark amber in colour. Ale had a malty, citrusy nose and was very upfront in hop flavour; tasting bitter with a slightly underlying element of sweet malt.
Would I buy this beer again? Maybe.
282 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
This ale was poured out from the bottle and into a pint glass. It had good clarity and was dark amber in colour. Ale had a malty, citrusy nose and was very upfront in hop flavour; tasting bitter with a slightly underlying element of sweet malt.
Would I buy this beer again? Maybe.
282 characters
4/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12oz bottle pulled from the fridge poured into a standard pint glass. bottled on 8-23-10.
pours a reddish/orange amber color with 2 fingers of off white head. pretty good retention, kept a nice layer of foam all the way to the end. bits and pieces of lace on the glass.
the aroma is mostly focused on the hops. grapefruit citrus and a little grassy. bready, toffee malts to balance.
a nicely balanced flavor, maybe a little more hopforward, but definatly nothing kicking the teeth out. grapefruit citrus, pine, and a little grassy balanced nicely by bready caramel malt. slight lingering hop bitterness in the finish.
crisp mouthfeel, medium to light body, good carb for the style.
a really nice beer to session, goes down easy and leaves you longing for another sip. not a whole lot different than the honkers ale. both are nice english styles with a slight american hop twist. id come back to this.
907 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12oz bottle pulled from the fridge poured into a standard pint glass. bottled on 8-23-10.
pours a reddish/orange amber color with 2 fingers of off white head. pretty good retention, kept a nice layer of foam all the way to the end. bits and pieces of lace on the glass.
the aroma is mostly focused on the hops. grapefruit citrus and a little grassy. bready, toffee malts to balance.
a nicely balanced flavor, maybe a little more hopforward, but definatly nothing kicking the teeth out. grapefruit citrus, pine, and a little grassy balanced nicely by bready caramel malt. slight lingering hop bitterness in the finish.
crisp mouthfeel, medium to light body, good carb for the style.
a really nice beer to session, goes down easy and leaves you longing for another sip. not a whole lot different than the honkers ale. both are nice english styles with a slight american hop twist. id come back to this.
907 characters
Harvest Ale from Goose Island Beer Co.
Beer rating:
3.73 out of
5 with
1,095 ratings
0 characters. We love reviews! Turn your rating into one with ≥ 150 characters.
In English, explain why you're giving this rating. Your review must discuss the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) and your overall impression in order to indicate that you have legitimately tried the beer. Nonconstructive reviews may be removed without notice and action may be taken on your account.