Chicago Star
Goose Island Beer Co.

 

I was very disappointed with this brew. Honkers has always rung a high reputation in my neighborhood. This pale ale lacks. That's all there is to it. There's initial good hop flavor but it dies too soon. It doesn't work. This beer has been one of the disappointments of my high expectations. Honkers always seemed like they would match up with Sierra Nevada in terms of quality; sorry. Didn't happen. Drinkable but don't look for anything new or special.This does not offer it. This is a Brooklyn Lager wannabe.

On tap @ Goose Island Clybourn (Chicago, IL) on 4/23/10. Served in a tulip glass.

Pours a deep clear coppery amber, topped with a ½ finger of off-white creamy head. This retains with a nice frothy flare-up, which leaves heavy creamy lacing down the sides of the glass. The aroma is rather West Coast smelling, being rich with pine, floral hops, spice, and a touch of a herbal feel. Some rather beefy notes of sticky smelling tropical fruit, caramel, and bread offer up some supportive sweetness in the nose.

The taste has a nice fresh West Coast bite up front, but it doesn't come off as overly aggressive at all, as the fruits and malts gives this a good bit of balance. Lots of doughy sweetness, as well as a splash of caramel and citrus across the back. The hops make themselves known in the finish, with lingering notes of earth and spice. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, with a very easy and mellow feel to the carbonation, which appears to have a good bit of hoppy slickness running through the body. This is extremely drinkable for almost 7% ABV. There's just a touch of warmth in the body but that's about it.

This was listed as a hoppy Amber/Red Ale at the brewpub (yet is listed as an IPA on the website so go figure) and honestly this is one of those ones that really towed the line between styles for me. Regardless, this was great, with plenty of robust hop flavor, great balance, and a super easy drinkibility for the size of it. This is the type of solid hop fix that I'm really starting to become used to with visits here. Nicely done!

04/23/2010
On-tap poured into a tulip glass.
From Goose Island - Clybourn's April 2010 beer menu.

A: Poured a medium reddish-amber with a quickly dissipating off-white head. Some lacing.

S: Lots of floral esters with a good whiff of citrusy amarillo hops. Smells really nice.

T: Good balance between caramel malts and amarillo hops. Just the right amount of bitterness without becoming overpowering. Hints of citrus and cut grass are nice, too.

M: Not too syrupy for an IPA. Just the right amount of bitter aftertaste.

D: I could have stuck with this beer all night. Have always been a fan of amarillo hops and this beer doesn't disappoint. Goose Island needs to start bottling this stuff!