Batch 4000 (Belgian Double IPA)
Goose Island Beer Co.

 

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a DT tulip. Extra special thanks to Ottobomb for hooking me up with this rare GI beer!

Bottle labeled: BREW 4000 2009 0752

A: Pours a relatively clear, tarnished copper color that's capped by a luxuriously thick and creamy, eggshell colored, two finger layer of foam. Head retention is good and the active carbonation provides quite a bit of sticky lace to the glass.

S: Initial pour yields a fantastic nose of domestic IPA hops and spicy Belgian yeast. Also playing a large role is fruit. Peach, red apple, pear, and apricot. Cut grass, too.

T: Sweet ripe fruit, spicy Belgian yeast, and hops. Lots of hops. Caramel pops up during the middle and hangs around on through the finish. A slight solvent alcohol flavor comes on in the finish.

M: Initially, quite bitter and spicy. That is tempered by a sticky sweetness that laid itself all over the inside of my mouth. Bits of tangy fruit and prickly alcohol pop up to keep things interesting.

D: Fantastic beer! I'm so glad I was finally able to try it. Big hopes, to the powers that be, that Goose Island bottles this for the masses.

This Belgian-style IPA pours a bright orange jewel tone, plenty of intricate lacing around the edges. The foam has a soft sheen to it on its surface. The aroma is distinctly Belgian, floral and phenolic with spicy hops and wildflower notes. Citrusy flavor, crisp and dry, it has a long lasting spice and hop bitterness in the aroma. Overall the level of bitterness is only moderate, and well integrated for a DIPA. Softly sweet malts give a honeysuckle element that balances the hops nicely. Light bodied with a well hidden abv. Hope this sees a commercial release. Thanks to the autumnal one...

Bottle @ Champaign-Urbana Beer Club meeting, December 2009. We thank our provider.

Pours a solid gold with a thin white head. Leaves significant lacing on the glass.

Strong hop aroma is immediately evident. Somewhat dry mouthfeel gives way to amazing hop flavor. The Belgian strain adds a level of complexity. Matilda's influence is clear here, but the flavor is quite unique.

Probably one of the better Belgian IPAs I've ever had the privilege of tasting.

I'm told that this is a Belgian IPA made with Orval Yeast like Matilda and a combination of hops, which includes Saaz and Amarillo. Many thanks to John for sharing a couple bottles.

Appearance: Copper body with ¼ inch white head that quickly dissolves to thin glass clinging skim.

Aroma: Very hoppy aroma. Pine with a good deal of orange zest. Where is the fruit? Where is the yeast character?

Taste: Wow. This is hoppy. I'm actually disappointed. I can't quite taste much in the way of malt or yeast character other than a hint of caramel and a sprinkle of spice.

Mouthfeel: Nostril burning with extremely biting carbonation. Very bitter and very dry.

Drinkability: Great.

Overall a very good beer but it is too dominated by the hops. Had I not been told that this was a Belgian IPA, I never would have guessed it. I will sit on one bottle and see if the yeast character develops as the hops mellow.

Pours a clear reddish orange along with a good quarter inch of white head and some spotty lacing. Aromas of bright green herbal and citric hops mixing with floral accents. Caramel and light candied malts along with a nice spicy Belgian yeast kick. Nice and estery. Really enjoyable to smell.

First sip brings smooth malts upfront with caramel and a bit of sweetness. Citrus and herbal hops roll in and make themselves well known. Floral accents along with a spicy Belgian kick that's bright and tasty. Yeast esters meander down along with a solid hit of bitterness that balances out with the malt sweetness well.

Mouthfeel is smooth and creamy with a solid medium body and good carbonation. Goes down easy and is quite drinkable. I would mind a six pack of this any day and I was glad to be able to try it. This was brewed at Fulton and is extremely limited in bottles. Thanks to autumnaldave!