last week I made a post asking what American made English Pale Ales came closest to Fuller's London Pride. Someone suggested Honker's. My reply was that it didn't stack up well against the Fuller's. I hadn't had Honker's in well over a year so out of curiosity I bought a 6 pack of it. The first bottle reinforced my opinion, as did the 2nd but a day or two later I had another and found it tasting alot better. By the time I finished the sixer I had grown to really like the beer. While, maybe not quite in Fuller's league, Honker's Ale has alot going for it. At 4.2% abv it is a real American Session Beer. Next, it is cheaper and fresher than imported Fuller's. Third it is brewed under contract in nearby Baldwinsville. I plan to start drinking this regularly.
It's a good session beer. I dont know if it would rank in my top 10 session beers though. Top 20 maybe.
Its a very good brew. I like it but for $8.99 a sixer I would rather buy the Fuller's. Check for a best before date. Some places have these sitting on shelves for a long time. First one I had was covered with dust and it was 2 weeks past the best before date, but it still tasted good.
I was one of several that suggested Honkers, I believe, and I remember your post. I'd have to agree; it doesn't have quite the delicacy of hop profile that a (fresh) London Pride or ESB has, and there's certainly more 'oomph' in terms of late-hopping (fairly intense bout of Styrians!) but it's a damn fine beer. Nice malt backbone, nice (appropriate) hop presence in aroma and flavor, and (generally) priced right. And at the same abv% as Bud Light, I consider this my 'light' beer of choice, other than homebrewed bitters and milds, of course
Update: I just did a blind taste test between Fuller's London Pride and Goose Island Honker's Ale with the help of my son. I was able to correctly identify them on first sip but upon tasting both I actually said I preferred the Honker's which came as a bit of a shock. The beers are actually quite similar and I think a fan of either would enjoy the other. I think the Honker's has just a smidgeon and I mean smidgeon more dry bitterness but both are tasty and refreshing. That being said Honker's is actually now going to be my preferred session ale for several reason; it is cheaper, about $ 11 - $ 12 a case less. it is fresher, the bottle I just had was brewed on 2/16/13 or just two weeks ago. it is brewed in nearby Baldwinsville, only 85 miles away. Goose Island is from Chicago,IL my hometown. The abv is 4.3% (vs 4.7% for Fuller's) so it is more sessionable. it is more widely available. this is quite an epiphany for me and will affect my beer buying decisions going forward. Lately Goose Island has been growing in my esteem and this pretty much cements my new found appreciation for this wonderful brewery.
Had one of these Friday night. It took about half the glass, but it started growing on me good session beer while at a bar
http://www.gooseisland.com/pages/honker_s_ale/17.php According to their website it's 4.2%, even better.
Honkers is a great beer. It's wide availability is why I like it. Even some of the subpar sports bars around us have it, which is nice as those are the types of bars a lot of people like going to..
Honkers Ale is good, but their Harvest Ale (seasonal) is even better...albeit at a higher ABV. (been itching to use the word albeit lately)
Quite a thorough dissection. I've always loved Goose Island, summertime was my gateway beer. Even though their new ownership has left a bad taste in my mouth (literally and figuratively) honkers has stayed pretty consistent. 312 on the other hand is a shell of its former self. You can still get the delicious original 312 at the brewpub, and its incredible the difference between the real stuff and the new AB brew. What used to be my favorite session beer I would now pass up in favor of bluemoon. If you liked honkers, try the harvest ale if you havent already.
I used to drink Honker's a lot a few years back. Only recently did I discover that it's only 4.2% I thought it was stronger than that. Might have to go back to it again soon.
