Bitter Cold
Goose Island Beer Co.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Served in an imperial pint glass at the Clybourn brewpub.

It's not close to bitter cold out today, but I'm not gonna argue with a new (to me) beer here at Clybourn. It pours a clear sunset amber topped by a finger of light cream-white foam. The nose comprises lightly toasted biscuit, toffee, grass, walnut, and earthy greens. The taste holds notes of light orange rind, biscuit, grass, flowers, and light earthy greens. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a sorta/kinda dry finish. Overall, a nice little bitter, nothing special, but it works pretty well with the college games currently rockin' the screens.

 

From notes taken at time of tasting

Poured from the cask at Goose Island Clybourn Pub

A - Clear bronze with a half finger white head that turns into a light film. Leaves spots down the side of the glass.

S - My favorite part of this beer, runs through the gambit of biscuit, caramel, and toffee, moving into each other nicely. Some earthy hops, but not too much of that.

T - A little brown sugar moves into the malt biscuit and toffee, not as much caramel as the nose. Some of those earthy hops with a little spiciness.

M - Casky (a little thin, flat but in a pleasant way). My least favorite of the beer.

Not a bad cask beer, an Englishman would probably enjoy it more than a bloody savage such as myself. Still, wouldn't mind a second, certainly sessionable.

Amber body with bright clarity, a finger of white foam on the pint that leaves some spotty lace inside the glass. Retention is good, the head sustains itself for a good while.

Mellow and simple aroma of husky grain, pale malt, and honey.

Grain husks, toasted bready malt, puffed wheat cereal, low bitterness and minimal hop presence, practically none to speak of. Low carbonation, true to style, enough to lend a slightly crisp bite. Simple and clean malt flavor, well crafted.

Classic English simplicity. A true session ale to while away the hours with, pairs up with almost any food. Simplicity is underrated.

On-tap at the pub... Pours a medium copper that is very clear, amber notes. A light off white head ok retention, but bad lacing... The aroma is light skunk with some toffee, biscuit, and flowers, a little boring... The taste is much more flavorful, lots of toffee but stale bitter hops, bready overall. Also boring.

Nothing special here, pass on this.

Appearance: Cider-like appearance. Nice carbonation with a swirl of the glass.

Smell: Bread-like with some fruit in the background. Tame and not particularly distinct.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Definitely some toffee sweetness and yeasty breadiness. I also detect a hint of fruit (blueberries?). Nice malty smoothness as well. Goes down very easy.

Drinkability: An enjoyable session beer with some nice subtly.

Overall: Not quite as nuanced as Honkers Ale or India Pale Ale, but still a good beer.

On tap at the Clybourn location. From the menu: "Amber hued English Bitter with hints of toffee and biscuit from Maris Otter malts. A perfect session ale after a session of shopping."

As advertised, this poured an amber-brown color with a half-finger white head that died down a bit quickly into a thin collar. The nose brought forward a bit of lightly-sweet bready malt plus a mild amount of light earthy, floral hops. The taste was restrained in all regards with a touch of bread and not too much else. I'd expect more out of something with this beer's characteristics, even if just from the Maris Otter alone. Mouthfeel was night--light and refreshing. Drinks quite well and was glad to sit down for this session beer.