Athena
Goose Island Beer Co.

 

Served in a tulip at Goose Island Clybourn 9/17/11. Thanks to HeatherAnn for the assist!

A: Served a bright and glowing polished brass color. Carbonation is quite active and does a very nice job of keeping the ample, meringue-like head fed.

S: Interesting range of aromas with scents ranging from slightly tart, not quite ripe berries, to dry and spicy hay. A hint of childrens aspirin, as well.

T: As above with a bit more in the way of fresh fruitiness. A bit of shaved citrus zest, dry & dusty yeast, and some mown grass.

M: Tangy, dry, and fruity. The beginnings of being sour, but not. Earthy, fruity , and a tad spicy.

O: Good but not great. I probably wouldn't get this again but I'm glad I tried it once.

Served in a footed tulip glass at Goose Clybourn.

Hazy pastel orange, somewhat opaque but with a saturated coloration. Drippy white lace all around, lasting foam on the surface. Visible carbonation bubbling up.

Fruity yeast notes, wet hay and farm blanket Brett funk. Seemed a little dry from the aroma, and after the first few sips it turned out to be the same. Dry funky Brett, wet hay and farmhouse cheese rind notes, somewhat restrained as far as wild ales go. Creamy with tart fruit, seemed citrus derived... didn't read the description until now, not getting the advertised kiwi or cherry. Pretty effervescent and quenching, again it finishes dry. One and done with so many other options at the brewpub, but it's definitely worth trying.

A - Hazy golden colored beer with a small white head that left the sides pretty clean.

S - Some tartness from the brett, a bit of hay, grass. There is some fruit smell in there and if you're somewhat imaginative it is kiwi. Smells fairly sweet with some yeasty ethers.

T - I actually do taste some kiwi on this on, but it is a bit faint. Slightly tart with some hay and a bit of yeast on the end. Finishes up a little sweet.

M - Medium bodied, somewhat dry, a bit of syrup consistency on this one.

O - Tastes alright, but it's kind of stuck in the middle between a sour and a yeasty belgian pale. Not bad, but don't go out of your way for it.

On-tap at Goose Island Belgian Beer Fest. Served in a pint-shaped taster glass. It's a Belgian blonde with brettanomyces, baked cherries, and kiwis.

A - Hazy golden body, with a finger of white foam that settles to a thick collar and some haze on top.

S - Extremely dry and brett-heavy, with lemons, hay, and gauze flavors present. I don't get any of the advertised cherries or only the faintest hint of kiwi.

T - The taste is extremely dry, with hay, straw, and medicinal notes being pervasive. There's a faint aroma of tart apples and lemons, with some earthy grains and yeast backing things up. Again - I can discern no cherries or kiwis.

M - Very dry and grainy texture, medium body, pleasant medium carbonation. Quite style appropriate.

D - It's a fairly unexciting Orval-esque beer. Didn't get any of the advertised fruits, which was a bit disappointing. I was able to finish my pour but I wouldn't bother with this one again.