Wild Goose Snow Goose Winter Ale

Brewed by Wild Goose LLC (Flying Dog)
Style: English Strong Ale
Frederick, Maryland USA

Bottled at Akkurat, Stockholm. Clear dark ruby, minimal head. Hoppy nose with grapefruit and red grapes. Dry with clean mouthfeel and medium body. Light roasty coffeeish notes, but hops dominates. Lingering bitter finish. Like a dark APA.

Name: Snow Goose
Date: 01/04/1997
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewpub
Vintage: 1996

clear red, thin head, pleasant spicy hop aroma, sweet spicy hop flavor, slight bitterness in the aftertaste, too many imperials and barleywines to say more, but later reviewed and original accessment amazingly accurate

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 5/10; Flavor: 5/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 10/20
Rating: 2.8/5.0
Score: *4
-------- /> Name: Snow Goose
Date: 11/17/1998
Mode: Draft
Source: Taco Mac, Sandy Springs
Vintage: 1998

clear red, frothy beige head, light spicy aroma, very carbonated, malty flavor, light spicy character, slight bitterness in the aftertaste

Aroma: 5/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 5/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 10/20
Rating: 2.6/5.0
Score: *4
-------- /> Name: Snow Goose
Date: 01/31/2007
Mode: Growler
Source: Tasting
Vintage: 2006

clear dark brown, scant head, drops of lace, sweet caramel malt aroma with spicy hops, rich dry dark caramel malt flavor with a touch of chocolate, nice spicyness, lots of hop character and bitterness leading to a long bitter finish,

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 13/20
Rating: 3.3/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: **+/4

Mahogany colour, robust malt flavours, oak, and port. Smooth and sweet in the finish.

(12/17/04) Small tan head atop a clear mahogany body. Aroma is moderately sweet, caramel, some peach, floral, light chocolate, herbal, wood. Taste is medium sweet, caramel, floral, chocolate, some earthy, herbal, light peach. Finishes with wood and earthiness. Fairly smooth medium-full body. (7/3/8/4/15)... (2/12/02) The taste and aroma match -- a good maltiness balanced nicely with medium hoppiness. Deep red-brown hue -- the ’Old Faithful’ of local winter brews. Even after being acquired by Frederick, this has continued to be a very good beer. (7/4/8/4/15)

On tap. Poured a darker amber color wih an averaged sized off white head. Some lacing left on the glass. Aromas of spices, caramel with some brown sugar. Tastes of pretty much the same.

A simple, but rather effective aspiring winter warmer that remains simple enough, but works with thickish, bready malts. heavy bodied, honeyed flavours. Woodsy, mildly hoppy and leafy conclusion manages to cut through the caramel toastiness with efficiency. Not captivating, but a competent ale.

2003: Crystal clear, mahogany ale with a large, fizzy, off-white head. Poor retention. Decent lacing. The nose releases mild notes of cocoa, latex, and cola. Well-balanced flavor with a very nice, chocolatey and dark fruit taste. Assertive, but not overwhelming hops. Full-bodied with a creamy mouthfeel and fizzy carbonation. Medium-length, crisp finish. Very good Winter warmer.

Hand-bottle sampled on 2/13/07: Pours a transparent copper orange with a thin, nicely-lacing white head. Aroma of sweet, toasty caramel malt with a fresh, piny grapefruity hoppy balance. Body starts fairly full and sweet with a nice bittering grapefruity hoppiness toward a smooth, balanced, bittersweet finish.