G.O.A.T.
Union Craft Brewing Company

 

On draught. Pours up a semi-clear golden amber color, foamy head and decent lacing. Flavor is smooth, tropical & citrus hints are among the subtle sweet fruity flavors. Well hopped, but not over the top, very enjoyable.

 

Pours nice clear golden color with a nice head and lacing
Aroma has a generous tropical and citrus hints
Taste has pleasant tropical and citrus flavors
A medium bodied well carbonated beer
A good IPA

 

G.O.A.T. IPA is a liquid tribute to the pride of Baltimore Football, Ed Reed. Golden-hued and laid back with aromas of dried stone fruits, berry and melon – just enough to let you know there’s some serious hops in this beer. Once the aroma is released, the G.O.A.T. descends upon the palate with flavors of juicy, citrusy grapefruit, sweet pear, pineapple and peach. Light/Medium bodied, mildly bitter, and packed with hops - G.O.A.T. IPA will hype you up without ever slowing you down.

Pours a nicy hazy pale gold with a foamy head.
Pungent on the nose, piney, dank as hell.
Taste is earthy, dank, unique,
A standout, but probably not for everyone.

 

Poured from the can into a Spiegelau IPA glass.

Opaque mostly but gives a great bit of clarity along the edges and variety of color. Pale orange mostly with lemon bright and even pale brass shine hues along the edges of the glass. Great forming fine and creamy head easily reaching four fingers with a giant island and lots of ring like lacing.

This is a real solid and better than expected aroma. Juiced hints of citrus orange and a sweet popsicle cream like flavor. Hints a touch of herb and pine with this real nice soft sweetness and dank weedy earth as well.

Palate is just flat out superb. That creamy aroma turns into more than just a sense, it feels even creamy on the tongue. A mid palate awash in rich orange fruit, peel pith and juice all in one. Rind touching bitterness danced with hints of sweet herbs of mint and a light pine. Creamy finish on the swallow with sweet counterbalancing malt just a hair to bring some more play into the beer, however it's mouthfeel lightens up on the swallow. Still flavors also permeate nicely with hints of candy and floral touches that linger like breath mints.

This is a really nicely done IPA well done here.

 

 

Union Craft is one of my favorite quasi local brewers, with several solid seasonals and a solid skill with the all important IPA. I liked the Steady Eddie tribute to Murray last year and this one, dedicated to one time NY Jet and NFL first ballot HOFer Ed Reed seems of a similar vein. Looks nice with a light amber body and only partial cloudiness, more translucent than opaque. Nose is big and wet and frothy but shows some staying power. Nose is tropical fruit and medicinal hops, as we have come to expect. Flavor is understated but has a juicy, resinous aftertaste that well augments the initial offering. Texture seems a little thin at spots but holds up when it matters. Solid, if not really a standout like its namesake.