Gillian | Goose Island Beer Co.
Brewed by:
Goose Island Beer Co.
Illinois, United States
gooseisland.com
Style: Belgian Saison
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 9.50%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
Formerly Scully
White Pepper Strawberry Saison
After a free rise fermentation with our Saison yeast strain, we add crushed white pepper, mashed fresh Michigan strawberries and Local Farmer's market honey to create a dry, drinkable yet complex Saison variation.
Named in honor of Gillian Anderson who worked at Goose Island Brewpub in Chicago, IL while a student at DePaul University.
25 IBU
Added by thetomG on 08-17-2010
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 781 | Reviews: 112
4.25/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.75/5 rDev -9.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
2016 bottle just over 2yrs old. Somewhat acidic but nice beer
61 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
2016 bottle just over 2yrs old. Somewhat acidic but nice beer
61 characters
4.31/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.32/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2016 vintage bottled Feb. 2016 and poured a spot over two years later. Pours hazy golden-amber with a tall fluffy head that falls quick and leaves some spotty lacing. Nose is big and complex. Smell that acidity and the fruity/floral aspect right off the bat, with some funky tones to it too. Taste is first sour, then sweet, then dries out nicely, but the more nuanced flavors come almost in waves. You get classic saison, then sour, then floral honey, then strawberries, then the pepper really comes through, and that kinda complexity is really enjoyable. Feel is average for the style. Smooth carb, medium body, good stuff. Overall, good stuff through and through. Wish I’d had a fresh bottle for comparison, but maybe age brought out some complexity, not to mention it had sat on the shelf so long, I got to buy it at cost, and there is no way I’d have shelled out 25 dollars for AB/InBev product. All in all, if you can get this at a decent price, I’d highly recommend.
979 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2016 vintage bottled Feb. 2016 and poured a spot over two years later. Pours hazy golden-amber with a tall fluffy head that falls quick and leaves some spotty lacing. Nose is big and complex. Smell that acidity and the fruity/floral aspect right off the bat, with some funky tones to it too. Taste is first sour, then sweet, then dries out nicely, but the more nuanced flavors come almost in waves. You get classic saison, then sour, then floral honey, then strawberries, then the pepper really comes through, and that kinda complexity is really enjoyable. Feel is average for the style. Smooth carb, medium body, good stuff. Overall, good stuff through and through. Wish I’d had a fresh bottle for comparison, but maybe age brought out some complexity, not to mention it had sat on the shelf so long, I got to buy it at cost, and there is no way I’d have shelled out 25 dollars for AB/InBev product. All in all, if you can get this at a decent price, I’d highly recommend.
979 characters
3.63/5 rDev -12.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Bottle: Poured a hazy yellow color ale with a medium size white head with limited retention and no lacing. Aroma of tart and acidic notes with some light fruity notes. Taste is also a mix of tart and acidic notes with light vinous feel with some subtle fruity undertones. Body is somewhat fuller than average with good carbonation. Enjoyable but unfortunately acidic notes are overwhelming and limits the flavours profile.
422 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Bottle: Poured a hazy yellow color ale with a medium size white head with limited retention and no lacing. Aroma of tart and acidic notes with some light fruity notes. Taste is also a mix of tart and acidic notes with light vinous feel with some subtle fruity undertones. Body is somewhat fuller than average with good carbonation. Enjoyable but unfortunately acidic notes are overwhelming and limits the flavours profile.
422 characters
4.09/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
6/2/18: 765 ML Bottled 3/29/15, multiple pours into Goose Island Chalice. Murky golden pour, heavy carbonation, thin white lacing. Very sweet aroma, strawberry, cherry, very tart. Very dry finish, taste strawberry and cherry. Thin texture, carbonation holds, easy drinking. Overall very good offering.
301 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
6/2/18: 765 ML Bottled 3/29/15, multiple pours into Goose Island Chalice. Murky golden pour, heavy carbonation, thin white lacing. Very sweet aroma, strawberry, cherry, very tart. Very dry finish, taste strawberry and cherry. Thin texture, carbonation holds, easy drinking. Overall very good offering.
301 characters
4.26/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
On tap at the source. A slightly hazy golden amber color with a small off white head. Killer aroma on this one: Oak, red wine, berries, and a faint funky aspect. The taste followed with all of the above. Really impressed with the wine barrel aspect. Dry finish with a bit of heat. Very interesting and fun beer.
311 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
On tap at the source. A slightly hazy golden amber color with a small off white head. Killer aroma on this one: Oak, red wine, berries, and a faint funky aspect. The taste followed with all of the above. Really impressed with the wine barrel aspect. Dry finish with a bit of heat. Very interesting and fun beer.
311 characters
4.29/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
L) Pours a lovely rose tinted, hazy straw-amber. Has a white head and acceptable retention when poured vigorously.
S) The nose is loaded with ascetic funk, sharp and tart acidity, wild strawberry, deep black cherry, and slight notes of chasis. It is absolutely lovely and the acidity tingles the nose.
T) Everything in the nose is on the tongue, with a very dry finish, and a bit of the white pepper spice. It is absolutely lovely.
F) Has a creamy mouthfeel for the style, decent body, high carbonation. No complaints.
O) I'm actually really surprised with how solid this brew is. Paired with a fromage d'affinois, was a lovely experience.
645 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
L) Pours a lovely rose tinted, hazy straw-amber. Has a white head and acceptable retention when poured vigorously.
S) The nose is loaded with ascetic funk, sharp and tart acidity, wild strawberry, deep black cherry, and slight notes of chasis. It is absolutely lovely and the acidity tingles the nose.
T) Everything in the nose is on the tongue, with a very dry finish, and a bit of the white pepper spice. It is absolutely lovely.
F) Has a creamy mouthfeel for the style, decent body, high carbonation. No complaints.
O) I'm actually really surprised with how solid this brew is. Paired with a fromage d'affinois, was a lovely experience.
645 characters
2.93/5 rDev -29.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Taste: tart, sour, funky fermented strawberries, wine barrel notes, acidic, wild yeast. Big fruity, woody, boozy nose. Golden/honey hue, mostly unfiltered, with white foam head and delicate lace. Full body. Vinegar sour mouthfeel was a bit much for my palette.
262 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Taste: tart, sour, funky fermented strawberries, wine barrel notes, acidic, wild yeast. Big fruity, woody, boozy nose. Golden/honey hue, mostly unfiltered, with white foam head and delicate lace. Full body. Vinegar sour mouthfeel was a bit much for my palette.
262 characters
4.16/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Poured 12oz bottle into short stemmed wine glass. Color is hazy, deep gold with a fizzy 2 finger white head that quickly fades away. Aroma is fruity with strawberries, apricot and pear juice. There is some light yeast and funk. Flavor is sweet and tart with the strawberries and honey. Finishes with some wet hay, yeast funk, and hints of spice from the pepper. Feel is very light with prickly carbonation and a dry finish. Enjoyable and flavorful Saison.
456 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Poured 12oz bottle into short stemmed wine glass. Color is hazy, deep gold with a fizzy 2 finger white head that quickly fades away. Aroma is fruity with strawberries, apricot and pear juice. There is some light yeast and funk. Flavor is sweet and tart with the strawberries and honey. Finishes with some wet hay, yeast funk, and hints of spice from the pepper. Feel is very light with prickly carbonation and a dry finish. Enjoyable and flavorful Saison.
456 characters
4.2/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Hazy golden color with off-white head. Aroma is really fruity with strawberry, citrus notes and yeast funk. Taste is tart, fruity, funky with farmhouse cellar notes. Medium body and carbonation. Quite well integrated ABV.
221 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Hazy golden color with off-white head. Aroma is really fruity with strawberry, citrus notes and yeast funk. Taste is tart, fruity, funky with farmhouse cellar notes. Medium body and carbonation. Quite well integrated ABV.
221 characters
4.31/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.28/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.23/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
3.66/5 rDev -11.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
4.04/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Nearly opaque, but still sparkling, with an apricot-orange hue. No head.
Smell is apricot, strawberry, orange and peach with a little oaky funk.
Taste is quite sharply sour, but also balanced by funky brett, which is bringing horse blanket, hay and that funky strawberry that seems to emerge in these sorts of beers. However, it's not as funky as some of the other wild strawberry beers I've had, like Jester King's or Cascade's--this is a bit more well-made.
Body is medium, crisp and highly carbonated, closing in on champagne levels, with a semi-dry finish.
563 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Nearly opaque, but still sparkling, with an apricot-orange hue. No head.
Smell is apricot, strawberry, orange and peach with a little oaky funk.
Taste is quite sharply sour, but also balanced by funky brett, which is bringing horse blanket, hay and that funky strawberry that seems to emerge in these sorts of beers. However, it's not as funky as some of the other wild strawberry beers I've had, like Jester King's or Cascade's--this is a bit more well-made.
Body is medium, crisp and highly carbonated, closing in on champagne levels, with a semi-dry finish.
563 characters
3.63/5 rDev -12.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4.14/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Good beer. A little artificial and spritzy - but still good. Here goes:
A: Very spritzy. That is, the head quickly deteriorates, leaving no lacing. However, the body is a beautiful, cloudy orange-yellow. It looks very nice when held up to a light.
S: Lots of apricot and strawberries - a very fruity concoction, judging by the smell. Though simple, it's rather lovely.
T: On top of the apricot and strawberries - which dominate - there's also pear and sour lemon. In general, the sourness is very lip-puckering. I like it a lot, but it's not for everyone. In general, this is a fruity drink fit for a warm summer day.
F: Light and spritzy.
O: A good brew. Very novel and interesting, at least to me.
719 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Good beer. A little artificial and spritzy - but still good. Here goes:
A: Very spritzy. That is, the head quickly deteriorates, leaving no lacing. However, the body is a beautiful, cloudy orange-yellow. It looks very nice when held up to a light.
S: Lots of apricot and strawberries - a very fruity concoction, judging by the smell. Though simple, it's rather lovely.
T: On top of the apricot and strawberries - which dominate - there's also pear and sour lemon. In general, the sourness is very lip-puckering. I like it a lot, but it's not for everyone. In general, this is a fruity drink fit for a warm summer day.
F: Light and spritzy.
O: A good brew. Very novel and interesting, at least to me.
719 characters
4.5/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
3.7/5 rDev -10.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I tried this at the Bavarian Lodge in Lisle, IL. It was very sour.
67 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I tried this at the Bavarian Lodge in Lisle, IL. It was very sour.
67 characters
Gillian from Goose Island Beer Co.
Beer rating:
4.15 out of
5 with
781 ratings
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