Goose Island Autumn Ale

Brewed by Goose Island Beer Company
Style: American Strong Ale
Chicago, Illinois USA

Draught @ Clybourn: This one came in a pint glass, even though the menu said it would be served in a tulip. It pours a slightly hazy amber color with a small off-white head. There was only a little lacing. The aroma was that of earthy hops and some spices. The taste had earthy, biscuity notes as well as some peppery spices. It had a dry finish. Very Nice.

Cask, Wrigleyville (2004 version): better pour than usual at this location (they tend to chill their cask ales, this one was the perfect temp…) orange-red with flecks of gold – strong, off-tan cream on top. The aroma and the mouth feel can be described as smooth, the orangy hops drift evenly into the nose and hints of pine come out of the sweetly, bitter orange hop flavour. A real winner on a crappy, rainy and cold late fall day in Chicago. (7/4/8/4/16)
Draught, Clybourne (2003 version): Light red brown. . . a thin whisp of pine flows through a sticky aroma of candied raisins, brown sugar, rye and wheat. Sticky palate with loads of malt that wrap the tongue - finish is dry and bitter. With the abundence of malt in this one I was surprised by (and enjoyed) the hop presence. Well done. (7/3/8/4/15)

Draft at GI Clybourn. Actually a Belgian strong ale. Pours a deep red-brown. Nose is very nicely hopped with some spice and pine. Taste is super grainy/spicy. Very clean tasting with a kiss of citrus, though the rye does dominate, a bit of sweetness from the corn as well. Finish is dry rye. Nice.

Clybourn. Clear, opulent cherry wood in color with a fluid, sturdy grey wrung and a hawkeye-shaped sheet of tan for the head. Simcoe and amarillo jump out in the aroma, swirled around with maraschinos and red raspberry jam. Blueberry fruitiness with a juniper and callow lilies impart a garden sense for additional smelling stopping power. An unforeseeable nutty dimension manifests for flavor, rooting itself in honey roasted pecans, poppy cock and autumn pipe tobacco. Amble palate spanning bitterness and nearly sticky malt sensations. Not a sock-it-to-ya strong ale, but an enjoyable, moderate, medium-bodied treat to bode well with the season.

On tap at GI – Clybourn. Poured a lovely, clear reddish-caramel with a short, creamy white head and thorough coating lacing as it descended. The aroma picked up sweeter, candied floral notes backed by assertive dry white peppery spices, cloves, and corn-derived sweetness (that worked). The flavor was peppery and lively with strong, spicy yeast leading the way.. sweetness from medium-skinned fruits and caramel.. long, enjoyable finish. Higher carbonation on the palate with a creamy feel and a nice spicy contrast.. refreshing sweet peppery finish. Good stuff.

Bottle from The Party Source. Dark amber color, ample lasting head with good lacing, intense malt aroma, flavor much like the aroma. Very good seasonal effort from Goose Island.

This was one interesting beer. A nice copper, brown color with a decent, off-white head. The aroma lends itself to notions of a hoppy beer. Nice piney/citrusy characters almost over-shadow the malt. However, the flavor is singing it's own tune. The differing malts all come together to mesh quite nicely. None of them over-power. The hops only come out in the finish, which has a nice bitterness to counter the otherwise too-sweet flavor. An interesting beer brewed to celebrate the autumnal harvest.

On tap: Ruby brown hue witha small rocky off-white head, very good lace and a bit oily as well. Aroma hints of cookie dough, cereal, roasted malt, floral and piney hops, orange, dust, and meaty yeast esters which reminded me of a steak. Initial taste was sweet but not coy with a twangy undertone. Bitter and citric tone on the finish, some alcohol noticeable as well but not overpowering. Medium-bodied with a oily and lively mouthfeel, light metallic and alcohol feel on the finish. A good brew but nothing to go out of your way for unless already at the Goose, then go for it.