Goose Island Black Saison

Draft at Clybourn location in mid-June. Looked magnificent in a glass...dark brown, nearly black. Smell was sweet. Taste was unexpected (well maybe I should have expected it from a saison)....based on the color at least....definitely fruity, sorta peppery. I don’t really remember the distinguishing fruits off-hand, it’s been nearly two months, but this was quite a memorable beer. If I’m ever in Chicago anytime soon, I’ll keep an eye out for it.

Draft at Clybourne. Pours a deep brown with an off white head. Smells like a Saison with the funky esters. Lighter side of medium bodied with average carbonation. This has all the typical flavors of a saison, like clove, pear, honey, and pepper- but with just a very subtle hint of roast. Not bad

Tulip @ Clybourn. Black. Nice thin whitish head left by the time it reached the table. Some sweet smells. Not so funky. Mouth is thin, with a good finish. Dark malt mingles nicely. Sessionable. Seems quite refreshing. Worth another shot.

Draft at GI Clybourn. Pours a dark reddish brown, nearly black with a soft offwhite head. Nose is a very generic saison slant with loads of esters. Some stone fruits, cloves and a touch of honey. On taste, it is quite clean, minimal roasted character and a nice, soft clove note. Some light anise notes as well as a very distant tang. Not particularly interesting, but a nice beer nonetheless.