Sofie
Goose Island Beer Co.

 

 

 

 

Slightly hazy gold, big white head that recedes quickly, slippery lace
Citrus, herbal, peppery, and soft malt aroma
Tastes like it smells with a bit of vanilla, citrus impact is great- it's more orange than orange without tasting fake
Light bodied with excellent carbonation
Really great

At the O'Hare airport on the way to Boston

Looks great, yellow, slight haze. Smells like a Belgian but with a fruity edge. Tastes much better when poured out. I don't really taste the orange peel, but lots of coriander and Belgian yeast flavor. A lemon tang and silky smooth yeasty goodness. Still not a fan of Goose Island's Belgian stuff.

Baby's first Belgian

 

On tap at the Clybourne brewpub

Next stop, Goose Island. Continuing on with my Chicago beer escapade, I just had to stop at this legendary brewery for some good beers here and to go. Let’s see what their classic Saision is all about

Pours a cloudy yellow gold with 2 fingers of creamy off white head that fades to a thin cap and leaves decent lacing

There’s not much funk or tartness to the nose as I tend to prefer in the style, but the earthy vibe is still quite nice. I’m picking up on aromas of white pepper, lemon zest, white tea, crackery malt, tannic white wine, wildflower honey, pear skin, and earthy wheat

Likewise in taste it is more just straight earth than funk, and again still good. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting lemon zest, crackery malt, wildflower honey, white tea, peppery hops, apple skin, and light toast. The swallow brings notes of clove, bready malt, white grape, honey, peppery hops, pear skin, and a touch of vanilla

A light medium body pairs with moderate carbonation, resulting in a crisp and sharp beer. Finishes mostly dry and refreshing

This is a nice, well rounded Saison. Nothing to seek out but good nonetheless

 

Fairly light with a touch of funkiness and bitterness. More bitter than I expected, but that may also be the citrus peel. Excellent aroma.

 

This is a 12oz. bottle, poured into the Goose Island pint glass. This brew is slightly hazy, a light yellow with a slight orange tint when held up to the light. There is an abundant amount of carbonation to watch parade to the top. The half inch of fluffy white head did recede to a thin cap after several minutes.
The aroma is quite noticeable from a distance. For starters there is a sweet fruity citrus, I am leaning toward notes of orange. There is a pleasant yeast and wheat mixture happening also.
The wheat is the first thing I am picking up, a little yeast, then the orange peel. The finish is slightly bitter, a tad dry, with a bump of pepper spice.
This is an easy drinker, not heavy, a medium smooth feel.

 

 

 

Pours a bronzish gold, minimal lacing. Slightly funky scent with orange background. Slightly funky, slightly tart, mildly citrus. Lighter body, especially for a barrel aged beer. Good, but light.

 

 

A Saison found the day after Saison Day. Better late, but unfortunately, this was the only one available. Two brown twelve ounce bottles have been emptied into a clear glass liter mug. It's a light amber liquid, really not much different in color than most lagers. There is a bit more opaqueness than lagers generally have. A nice modest and enduring white head is included. The glass lacing is even less. The smell is vaguely yeasty and perhaps a little perfume-llke. The taste is yeasty and perfume-llke, but mildly refreshing. It certainly is much lighter in feeling and taste than an IPA. Not everyone will appreciate that as a good thing. Orange peel is included in the mix. It's there, but not a heavy influence on the taste. Probably it adds to a dry bitterness that shows at the finish. That part is well done, for without it, this could be a yeasty mess. There's no evidence this has an ABV above five percent other than to read it on the label. Probably average for the style, this isn't going to convert a hop loving DIPA devotee. Yet, for a once a year change, it wasn't such a terrible thing.

Good tasting saison, great flavor!