Limoneto
Goose Island Beer Co.

Limoneto pours a hazy bright golden color, with a large, long lasting, lacing head. Yeasty, sugary, candied aromas, with hints of lemon. Flavor is rich and creamy, candied notes, sweet lemon flavors, yeasty flavors. Good body and feel. Overall, a very good saison, the lemon mixes very very well, its very easy to drink and refreshing.

A curiously good saison.
Being a Euro Saison Head (credits to StonedTrippin' for the description), I'd like to see a few things different in this saison. But there also is this tendency for a few American crafters to get pretty good at innovating respectfully within the Belgian tradition. (I make this observation in my review of Nopalii and I call us American Saison Heads, of ASHes.) Take your choice.

While Goose Island was a pioneer in developing ASHes, I think it still pleases ASHes like me; even after entering AB's portfolio. While we could argue that Pepe Nero and Sofie are shades better than Limoneto, this is a good saison.

Limoneto's Looks would improve if the yeast yielded little protein swirls. For Smells, the lemon dominates and the spicing is modest. Tastes are balanced; no tricks, just craft. Limoneto has a modest mouth, but that is good as it is bubbly enough to cleanse the palate and soft enough from the wheat to let the foods play a leading role.

I drank Limoneto with a pesto ravioli and, as I think back on that choice, it had to be an intentional pairing because they went so well together.

As for this being all so curious... why am I only the third review in four months ? I guess GI's brand managers are doing limited testing before a national rollout. But in my opinion, Limoneto is ready. Besides, it never hurts to have a few ASH converts. AB should use its marketing power for that, too.

Poured from a pint can into a tulip.

Pours straw-gold and well-hazed with excellent foamy/rocky head and lacing. The head retention is moderate. The lacing is outstanding. This is a nice-looking brew.

The aromas are strong of citrus (lemon/lime). Nice funk and brine in the background.

The flavors are a bit of a letdown after the amazing aromas. Flavorful and pleasing but fairly muddled. Honey sweetness on the tip of the tongue gives way very quickly to strong lemon-lime-ness. A ton of it actually. Traditional esters are muted but manifest slowly as the brew warms, as does a pleasing brine note. Hints of hops at the finish.

The brew has excellent feel. Well carbonated and somewhat drying at the finish.

A pretty decent saison that could have been excellent had the lemon/lime not gotten a bit out of control. It just overwhelmed some of the other notes. The funk and brine are there, but they don't get a chance to shine.

 

Goose Island Limoneta Saison, 6% ABV. Pours lemon yellow, slightly cloudy, with a 3+ finger bright white foamy head that left solid foam lacing. Nose is lemon/lime, grass, and funk. Taste follows, strong lemon/lime, slightly sweet, almost no bitterness, and slightly salty. Excellent dry mouthfeel. Overall outstanding. Would be great for a hot summer day.