Honker's Ale - Goose Island Beer Co.

tugdriver7

Maryland

4.43/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Perhaps it's the style or the fact that we've been waiting awhile in this part of the country to get Goose Island products... but this was a treat. Gorgeous hazy amber to orange in the glass with a nice tan head. Subtle carbonation that raised a very nicely balanced malt scent to the nose. Flavor was equally balanced, with a soft biscuity flavor that melds into a very subtle hops bitterness for a crisp, dry finish. And the flavor excelled as it warmed. Very drinkable!

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2009 11:22:44 | More by tugdriver7

Kendo

New York

4.43/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A: Poured from the growler into a pint glass. Body is light amber with a slight bit of haze and a small whitish head. Some lace left behind.

S: Nice balance between citrusy hops and the malt. So far so good, as ESBs are about balance. Scent becomes a tad bit more floral as it warms.

T: Light malt up front -- almost fruity in its sweetness, but never coming anywhere close to cloying. More bready or biscuity as it warms. Finishes with a semi-dry bitterness with a hint of orange peel and lemon. Again, nice balance.

M: Light-to-medium body with nice creaminess.

D: Excellent. Very sessionable and nicely refined and restrained. It's more of an American version of an ESB given those citrusy hops, but it still retains the balance that the style calls for. I will be getting this again, particularly since the growler was dirt-cheap (I think it was $5.99).

Serving type: growler

07-01-2010 15:36:57 | More by Kendo

NODAK

Tennessee

4.43/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Aroma is of bit of citrus hoppiness...some sweet and bready malts behind it.

The taste is a very, very drinkable one. Upfront, there's cereal grains that comprise most of the body of the beer. The bitterness from the English hops doesn't start until near the finish, where it does so with a medium to low intensity....it's not all that bitter. After the swallow, the bitterness lingers a tad bit....but there's a good amount of grain that appears in the aftertaste. Highly refreshing.

I hadn't had an English bitter before this, but I must say I'm impressed. It's definitely something a person could down quite a few of, especially with its low ABV.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2010 00:20:55 | More by NODAK

mjsheehan08

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A surprisingly wonderful extra from Brundo4

Huge, billowing white head that sits atop a deep honey colored beer. Sticky lacing slides down the glass and chunks atop the rest of the beer. 

Smells bready and sweet. Really malt present and the sweetness is def the most notable aroma. Floral and citrus hops presence, but not as overpowering like in the American versions hoppy beers. 

Wow. I mean wow this beer tastes amazing. I have been drinking alot of really high ABV beers as of late, and I am just so impressed with how well this beer drinks. Note to self, high ABV doesn't mean more flavor. Super citrusy off the bat, but the bitterness does not follow as hard as I am used to from that flavor. Toasted bread, honey, and maybe a little Carmel apple through in together stands as the malt backbone, and is balanced perfectly by the mild English hop presence. Unbelievable balanced, yet still complex. 

Drinks really easily. Medium body with mild carbonation. The Abv is under 5, and I really wish I had this beer more readily available. Probably the best session style beer I have ever had. 

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2011 22:25:41 | More by mjsheehan08

JackNY07

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Really enjoyed this beer. Went excellent with a burger and fries. I have not tried this beer from a bottle so the score may be enhanced since its from tap. Medium bodied, smooth taste, definitely one of my favorite beers.

Anxious to try other Goose Island beers..

Serving type: on-tap

05-24-2011 19:49:09 | More by JackNY07

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle obtained via trade with CRJMellor. Thanks for the opportunity...

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1" beige head over the lightly cloudy amber brew. Head froth fades a bit but leaves plenty for the experience, and lacing is nice. Aroma is light fragrant hops with a undercurrent of malt sweetness. Taste is smooth sweet maltiness upfront, married with an almost mouth puckering bitterness for an English bitter, and that bitterness continues through the aftertaste. Nicely balanced. Mouthfeel and drinkability are both excellent. Excellent representation of the English Bitter.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2005 21:27:32 | More by ppoitras

Shultzerdugen

Missouri

4.4/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. brown bottle with a best when consumed by date of 060406.

Slightly hazed light copper with a white small bubbled froth.

Spicy hops and ripe red delicious apples start the nose, followed by caramel, grass and herbal notes, and malt o' meal.

Medium bodied with a smooth feel. Juicy malt center with a bit of fruity ester, the spicy hops are in perfect contrast. Bread like malts go long in the finish along with a lemony twist. Caramel flavors come out as it warms.

To use the parlance of Jolly Olde - This is spot on!

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2006 01:22:39 | More by Shultzerdugen

happygnome

Minnesota

4.4/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

a: pours a copper color with about one/eightyith inch head that dissapeared fast leaving minnimal lacing really looked like a copper coored juice
s: strong citrusy hop notes with a good caramel malt backbone detectable in the aroma, this is really a very inviting smelling beer very nice
t: the caramel malts are really the first things that i detect followed by nice citrusy hops both are very well balanced together, not an overly complex tasting beer but i really liked it and i enjoyed that the taste lingered for a little bit, not an off after taste but the flavor of the beer
m: medium bodied beer with a good amount of carbonation

overall, this is a beer that i really enjoyed, a very good session beer will pick up more

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2008 18:28:04 | More by happygnome

Chiefy770

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass (via label's recommendation).

Appearance: Pours to a clear burnt copper / amber color. A thick white head lingers for a decent amount of time. Fair lacing.

Smell: A sweet-citrus scent accompanied by a biscuit smell.

Taste: Notes of citrus dominate the initial sip. Complex flavors of grains and malts develop after the citrus. Not too sweet, not too sour.

Mouthfeel: A comfortable amount of carbonation. This brew is light and creamy. Crisp and clean finish.

Overall: A great beer. I enjoy this one during cooler seasons (autumn and late-winter). Though it holds a fair amount of flavor, it is a refreshing beer that never disappoints.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 04:06:26 | More by Chiefy770

profzoom

Idaho

4.38/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Ah, Honker's Ale. Living in Chicago for four years while at college left a special place in my heart for Goose Island's flagship offering. I definitely prefer it on tap, but by the bottle is quite fine as well. It pours a beautiful golden brown. The smell and taste are sweet, almost honey-like, with a fair amount of hops. Definitely one of my favorite pale ales.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2004 05:11:55 | More by profzoom

letsgopens

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Goose Island Honker's Ale pours rich amber gold with a nice white head that fades into a bit of lace.

A Clean, slightly hoppy aroma is pleasant but not very pronounced. The flavor, thought, more than made up for the slight lack of nose.

This beer is one of the best examples of a great nutral ale that I can think out. Smooth and flavorable with a buttery, malty sweetness that fades into a nice bitter finish. A wonderful balance of of flavors.

The mouthfeel is smooth with a perfect amount of carbonation that makes for a clean and refreshing swallow. I could drink this beer everyday.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2007 21:08:42 | More by letsgopens

dgthompson

New York

4.38/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Excellent find. Went to a pub which boasts 70 beers on tap. I've heard a lot about Goose Island from my brother who lives 1000 miles away from me. I saw the Goose tap handle and had to have one. Had a Honker's Ale, one of the best beers I have had in a while. Perfect amount of hops, nice bite to it with the extra hops.

Serving type: on-tap

02-29-2008 02:52:10 | More by dgthompson

tgbljb

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served as a medium amber colored beer with moderate white puffy head.

Smell is light and malty, so as to be very restrained.

The taste truly surpasses the smell, A strong caramel malt combined with enough balancing hops create an extraordinary beer.

This would be a perfect session beer. There is enough flavor to keep it interesting, and a low enough alcohol content to allow an adequate consumption. Top Notch beer!

Serving type: on-tap
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

05-03-2008 20:23:42 | More by tgbljb

rkinsella

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottling date was less than 2 months ago. Plus, I love the fact that Goose Island doesn't pasteurize their bottles.

Appearance - Light amber with a slight haze, better than average head, with okay retention and lacing. Bubbles rising for the whole glass.

Smell - Bread/crackers, with a touch of floral hops. A bit of brown sugar too.

Taste - Almost exactly as it smells. Biscuit maltiness, sweetness, evened out with sturdy hops. Slight grapefruit on the finish. Slight citrus aftertaste. Very clean and fresh.

Mouthfeel - Creamy, lower carbonation, medium body.

Drinkability - 2 or 3 would be the absolute minimum for this beer. Excellent session beer that keeps your interest.

This is a near perfect English Style Bitter for me. Perhaps a bit on the hop side, but it seems to have a little bit of everything. And the hops might even keep the interest of a "hop head" for a brew or two. Can't wait to try it on tap.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

04-02-2009 19:00:04 | More by rkinsella

jdizzel

South Dakota

4.38/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

a-looks like a great beer to be had

s-smells a good esb

t-this beer has great flavor good thing i bought a sixer real malty

m-very very smooth on the palate

d-one of the easiest beers to brink for me

deffinetly a good one by the goose island brewery almost perfect for its style will definetly be drinking more of these

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

04-27-2009 21:41:50 | More by jdizzel

Duhast500

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the tap into a tasting glass.

The color is gold with a bit of an orange tint. Has a good amount of pillowy white head and some slight lacing.

The smell is a little malty with some bready flavor and toffee.

The taste is of dark malts, some caramel and a bit of a coffee flavor. Some bitter hop flavor that is on the back end of each sip.

The feel of this beer is medium with a nice smooth finish that a bit creamy.It has a decent amount of carbonation and it pretty low in ABV which makes for a pretty tasty session beer.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

01-28-2010 05:04:06 | More by Duhast500

Kallessin

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Very clear deep coppery amber with a creamy off white head that leaves some nice lacing on the glass. A few lazy bubbles rising to the top.

Has a bright citrusy hop aroma with hints of grapefruit and some grassy notes. Some sweet malt with toasted cereal grains.

Tastes of sweet caramel malt up front with nice citrusy hop flavor with faint pine cone. Some bready/biscuity flavors. Really mild sweetness with more prominent bitterness.

Really smooth with light bubbly carbonation. Fairly dry, but makes you want more.

A very easy drinking, mild beer. I love the citrusy hops balanced off the mild sweetness and forward bitterness. A very well-rounded, flavorful beer.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

08-28-2010 19:42:24 | More by Kallessin

ZeroSignal

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle with bottled on date, poured into a SA Perfect Pint

A - Hazy, orange-tinted amber with a two-finger, bright white head. Good retention with a nice lace.

S - Bready, malty aroma. Floral hop aroma; clean, simple, but beautiful nose.

T&M - This brew has a wonderful hop and malt balance. Outstanding, bready malt flavor, and a grassy, floral and very lightly spicy hop presence. Light fruitiness is present. Just like the nose, the flavors are clean, simple, and beautifully executed in this light-medium bodied brew. Even higher marks for a very reasonable ABV with this much flavor present.

O - A very pleasing experience for my first experience with GI's regular line-up. Sadly not available in my area...yet.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

06-27-2011 02:01:51 | More by ZeroSignal

evanackerman

Minnesota

4.35/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

beer pours a nice copper color with a substantial creamy head that leaves a lot of lacing behind.

aroma is english hops and bread, very nice.

taste is very standard for the style, a lovely balance of bready malt and bittering hops with floral and light citrus hints. very well balanced and delicious.

mouthfeel is medium viscosity, very pleasant.

overall, exceedingly pleasant session beer, excellent value, in Michigan this is one of the most inexpensive craft beers for sale and it is many times better than many more expensive local beers. highly recommended!

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

05-19-2006 23:24:23 | More by evanackerman

Gehrig

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev +16%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I'd passed on Honker's Ale for no particular reason, choosing instead plenty of other beers in more enticing styles. I won't pass on Honker's Ale again. Very good brew, a very pleasant surprise earlier this afternoon.

The head was a bit thin on a dark golden body. Much to consider in the nose, offering more hops than expected, but also some caramel malt that was quite pleasant. The taste was superb, creamy smooth with bitter overtones but nothing that would lead me to think this was a Bitter. It's a distinct representative of the style, with robust caramel, some chocolate, hazelnut, and citrus flavors in harmony. Terrific.

Smoother than I expected, it meshes well with what bitters are here. Eminently drinkable, Honker's Ale is excellent, a good eye-opener and another must-grab from Goose Island.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

04-18-2008 04:55:36 | More by Gehrig

chetripley

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a glass mug with a wide opening.
A: Poured a clean, rust colored clear with slight head but with a nice lasting lacing on the glass. S: Carmel, malty smell, not unique to ales. T: Sweet carmel at first with slight alcohol bite followed with a definite bitter presence. M: Dry but light flowing and texture. D: A good session beer worthy of repeating.

Living in Chicago I have the chance to taste this often, and I am always amazed at how the tastes change each time. Even when pouring from a bottle I usually leave a little behind when pouring into a glass to taste the bottle flavor. When I do I taste an amzing hop presence, a sharp bitterness that I don't pick up anywhere else. Relaible and delicious as always.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

08-02-2009 04:13:53 | More by chetripley

brewerburgundy

California

4.35/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a shaker pint at Sideways, Fayetteville, AR.

Pale yellow gold shot through with amber. Great creamy white head with great lacing.

Reserved citric hop and biscuit malt, lemon zest and grain.

Orange hops, citric and light but dancing and playful. Biscuit toast malt, not sweet, just balance.

Round and fitting mouthfeel.

Very crisp with citrus and balanced. I see why this is known as one of the better U.S. made English Bitters.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

12-11-2010 17:59:16 | More by brewerburgundy

hanco005

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle into a pilsner glass. Bottled dated 070306.

A—pours tanish orange with ¾ inch head, fades slowly and light lacing is left on the glass as I drink

S—sweet and caramel malts, candy aroma, honey, butter, not really smelling the hops

T—nice balance of malt and hops, not to sweet, not to bitter, really flavorful, light and finishes a little dry

M—light/medium bodied, a little thin, good carbonation

D—the bottle says “a smooth drinkable English Bitter for those who want more from their beer”. Agreed, but not sure what more I would want in this one. A great session beer.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

03-01-2006 16:37:18 | More by hanco005

hylton44

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The bottle describes it as a "perfect blend of hops and malt." I find it hard to disagree with that claim. I loved this brew! It was a beautiful cloudy amber-orange color showing some of that color in the head. The taste was a slightly sweet burnt citrus flavor, and quite bitter. There was also a surgary, syrupy hint. This all made for a fairly complex flavor, and thoroughly enjoyable drinking experience. I think "balance" is a perfect term to describe it. Really hearty without being thick & heavy. I will seek this beer out again, repeatedly.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

05-28-2006 22:29:56 | More by hylton44

Cresant

Kentucky

4.33/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

Poured dated (5/1/06) into pint glass. Weak head faded quickly to a filmy collar. Some sticky lace. Amber color with chill haze.

Smells of sweet tea. Earthy. Grains.

Tastes of "a perfect blend of hops and malt" as stated on the bottle. (I noted this before I read the fine print on the bottle, but I agree!) faint fruit and bread. Lacks nothing.

Moderate body with a faint alcohol prickle in the tongue. Nice amount (but not too much) of carbonation for a English Bitter.

This would be an very easy one to drink more than recommended!

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

05-31-2006 00:34:51 | More by Cresant