Honker's Ale - Goose Island Beer Co.

ExtraStout

Massachusetts

2.86/5  rDev -23.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

Had this on tap in Cedar's @ Foxwood's Casino.

Appearance: A fine looking ale without any outsanding characteristics.
Smell: Very lightly malty.
Taste: Was not offensive but somewhat watery and malty, this beer is not overwhelming.
Mouthfeel: Easy in the mouth and going down but too thin.
Drinkabilty: This beer will bore me after a few sips.

Serving type: on-tap

05-10-2013 02:08:15 | More by ExtraStout

bump8628

Oklahoma

3.86/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Clear copper, white head that sticks well. Mild fruitiness, simple clean malt base with some biscuit and light caramel. Hops go herbal at first with some orangey citrus as it warms. A nice bitter with a slightly elevated hop presence for the style, always nice to have a low ABV option. Goose Island just hit Oklahoma and ABI politics aside, this will be a nice option if it ends up showing up at places not known for good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-23-2013 00:02:31 | More by bump8628

avalon07

South Carolina

3.99/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Had this beer on-tap at Gene's Haufbrau, poured into a pint glass. Had an amber color and a clear texture. There was an inch and a half of creamy, long-lasting head. Good lacing.

S: A surprisingly sweet smell, combined with a big shot of malt.

T: Tasted of malt (more than anything else), a hint of hops and a sweet ingredient (a citrusy element). The citrus was definitely a new twist on the style, but a welcome one. An interesting flavor.

M: A fair amount of carbonation with a smooth finish. Light-bodied.

O: Not your typical English Bitter, but definitely worth a shot. Easy to drink and likeable.

Serving type: on-tap

03-17-2013 12:32:10 | More by avalon07

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.61/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Served on tap in a pint glass

Appearance – The beer is served a medium amber color with a one-half finger white head. The head fades fast to leave a persistent foam on the top of the brew with very light lacing on the sides of the glass.

Smell –The aroma is very light overall and only consists of a very small amount of roasted malt and caramel.

Taste – The taste begins with a good caramel malt backbone that creates a rather sweeter and breadier flavor. This taste lasts throughout the taste with very little change. Toward the middle of the taste a notes of toffee and a more buttery flavor comes to the tongue. These mix with a very light herbal and grasy hop flavor at the end of the taste which end up leaving a smooth and sweet flavor to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer for an only 4.3 % abv beer is much creamier then would be anticipated while the carbonation level is rather average. The thicker body is nice for accentuating the toffee and buttery flavors of the brew while the average carbonation level keeps it refreshing and easy drinking. Nicely done for the flavors and style.

Overall – While the flavor profile is not too complex, but instead rather simple, it is quite nice and with the lower alcohol level makes this brew an easy one to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2013 01:14:58 | More by Darkmagus82

Bigmuff

California

3.81/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

On tap at the Redwood on downtown Los Angeles. Nice bitterness with a hint of sweetness in the aftertaste. The dark malt seems to overpower the hop flavor a bit but not in a bad way. Easy drinking but with solid body and strong flavor. All around very well balanced and refreshing.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2013 22:40:32 | More by Bigmuff

Treyliff

West Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

A- pours lightly hazy amber-orange color with a creamy white head with long retention, leaving solid lace all the way down the glass.

S- crisp grainy malt, a bit fruity with some earthy hops

T- slightly toasted malt with some fruity hops, slightly nutty. The finish is crisp and dry, leaving a woodsy hop linger. Quite a bit of flavor for the low ABV.

M- moderate body and carbonation, slightly creamy mouthfeel and crisp finish

O- this is a simple, easy drinking beer. It isn't extreme by any means, but has a good amount of flavor for the style. This would make a solid session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2013 00:45:19 | More by Treyliff

JDerner88

North Carolina

3.16/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

For a brewery I just encountered I suppose I can get down with this:

Had this baby on Tap; the tap handle is a bitch if you had a tree for a tap system.

A- Clear amber color, had little to no head when it was poured. Could have been from the amount that was poured that evening.

S- Didn't have much in the way of scent. There was a light...light..hop aroma from this brew but nothing that jumped out and bit you.

T- refreshing, for a bitter. It was crisp with a light bite at the end. I couldn't discern any ingredient over another

M- crisp and didn't linger

Overall- decent refreshing bitter brew with a flamboyant tap handle.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2013 19:22:29 | More by JDerner88

tdm168

North Carolina

3.54/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5

On tap at World of Beer Raleigh

A - clear amber with a soft, white head that has good retention

S - faint caramel, faint toast

T - caramel, big toasted malts, juicy apples, very faint bitterness in the finish

M - medium bodied, well carbonated

This is a relatively simple brew, but it is a nice session beer that could also pair well with food. Ultimately, I don't think there is anything wrong with this beer, I was just underwhelmed. This isn't a beer I would turn down and I'm glad I tried it once, but I won't seek it out again.

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2013 16:20:53 | More by tdm168

claspada

New Jersey

3.68/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Pours a clear amber color with a frothy eggshell head that leaves some spotty lacing as the head recedes.

Aromas begin with some light biscuity maltiness and toasted bread mixed with some earthy and herbal hops. Some underlying fruity yeast esters and a bit of a metallic twang.

The taste:s follow the nose with the same biscuity maltiness that is joined by the herbal and earthy English hoppiness. Some light sweetness and fruity esters emerge but really not much compared to authentic examples from Fullers or Youngs. The hop bitterness emerges more as it warms as the malts seems to subside.

The mouthfeel is medium to light bodied with moderate carbonation. Finish is pleasantly balanced between malt and hops.

Overall this is more of an American take on an English bitter as the mouthfeel and malt bill are not quite up to the top notch examples. The English yeast driven flavors which are necessary for this style are also muted but for a decently flavorful, sessionable ale available on draft, you could definitely find much worse.

Serving type: on-tap

02-03-2013 16:56:42 | More by claspada

TheCondor

Missouri

3.83/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured from 12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Poured on draft at a local restaurant/bar. Had never been to the bar, but I really enjoyed it. My wife hated me taking notes while we sat there, but I told her I had to.

Appearance - Pours a nice copper color with a thick, one finger head of white foam. Leaves excellent lacing, head retention leaves a little to be desired. Looks like a good brew though.

Smell - There is certainly a malt sweetness on the nose of this brew. Caramel and light sugar notes represent the maltiness well. A slight sense of hops, earthy, grassy, piney. Nothing too major. Well balanced.

Taste - The slight sweetness comes out in this brew in the taste. There is a sweet malty, caramel taste on the front of the drink, which gives way to a slight bitterness and hop character. Just a little zip from the piney hops is all. Again, well balanced, pretty good.

Mouthfeel - Lightly carbonated, light bodied, finishes clean with little aftertaste to speak of. On the creamy side a bit.

Overall - This is certainly a recommended beer, it is pretty good. I would buy it and drink it again. I think this would make a good session beer, given its' smoothness, ABV, and relative quality. Not too bad at all.

Serving type: on-tap

02-02-2013 20:31:41 | More by TheCondor

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

3.71/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured from tap into pint at bww Shreveport. Pours a nearly see through amber orange with decent lacing. Nice sweet malt and noble hop aromas. Taste is a nice mild sweet malt. Slight bitter hop presence but the brown sugary sweet malts dominate. Easy drinker and smooth. A nice session brew widely available. I just wish it had a tad more alcohol.

Serving type: on-tap

01-17-2013 00:17:39 | More by DrinkSlurm

oberon

North Carolina

3.9/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I drank this alot back in the day and was dumbfounded to see it on tap at a local restaurant here in Greensboro,what..how..when?Anyways poured into a standard pint glass a clear copper/amber with a thinner but well sustained head atop.Aromas of nutty malt with light caramel sweetness,there is a subtle leafy hop note as well.True to style it's malt driven with a mix of nutty and sweet biscuit malt with underlying leafy hops that show up more in the finish.An easy drinking bitter that I used to drink alot of back in Michigan,Iam still trying to find out how it got here in North Carolina.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2012 23:51:07 | More by oberon

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.93/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

16 ounce pint - $5.25 at Taco Mac in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Appearance: Served up a rich, copper-colored body with a half-inch of smooth, off-white foam. Good lacing, too.

Smell: Pale maltiness with a notable note of toast. Additionally, some fruitiness, herbal hops, and some implied sweetness in the taste.

Taste: Pale malts, then, a light toastiness joined with a crust of caramelized sugars for a touch of sweetness. Some fruitiness present giving off a bit of dehydrated apple and even, maybe, a little bergamot. Herbal, spicy hops with ample bitterness. Leisurely drying, light finish with a carry over of some of the bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light body. Medium carbonation.

Overall: A likable, refreshing little ale.

Serving type: on-tap

12-25-2012 15:40:05 | More by ChainGangGuy

brewskifan55

Mississippi

3.73/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Mahogany bar, Hattiesburg, MS

A: Clear bronzy gold with a white half finger head that slowly dissipates. Good lacing.

S: Light hops and bready malts

T: The hops tiptoe in with a soft, citrus-y presence, followed by toffee malts. Very smooth and inviting. Sweet, light, sessionable.

M: Light to medium with medium carbonation.

O: One to sip on for the duration of your meal. Very drinkable. Light, refreshing.

Serving type: on-tap

12-16-2012 16:30:42 | More by brewskifan55

UCLABrewN84

California

3.68/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the BevMo Holiday Beerfest held at Golden Road Brewing in Los Angeles, CA.

Pours a clear orange with a foamy tan head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Foamy streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, caramel, citrus fruit, and citrus zest. Taste is much the same with a mild hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty beer but I think it smells better than it tastes.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2012 07:27:48 | More by UCLABrewN84

KickbacksSteve

Florida

3.08/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On tap at Kickbacks in Jax. Poured into a snifter. Off-white head with moderate retention, clear sticky lacing. Body is a clear copper. Aromas include caramel malt sweetness and very mild bitterness. Taste is mainly caramel malt, not really picking up many flavors on this one. Very easy to drink, quite sessionable just lacking in the flavor department, certainly nothing off-putting, just not very exciting.

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2012 03:32:11 | More by KickbacksSteve

ubenumber2

Arkansas

2.83/5  rDev -24.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served from tap , this beer just didnt do it for me , average beer at best , better than a miller or bud lite but barely , wouldnt order again , the waitress tells me after I order another beer that they have not sold any of it before really and that the keg has been in their for 6 months , maybe why it didnt turn out very good , will try again later just to see at a different location or from the bottle

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2012 20:10:18 | More by ubenumber2

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Welcome to Pittsburgh, Goose Island!

Caramel-colored beer with a blitzing crown of suds. Sticks around a bit. 3.0

Herbal hops, cola, toasted grain, and light caramel. Aroma almost comes off like birch beer. 4.0

Hoppy in bursts with a solid malt backbone. Mildly spicy and somewhat herbal. More cola notes, pronounced by caramel and a nuttiness that is very appealing. Happily bitter with a tangy finish. 4.0

Drinks smooth. Appropriately carbonated. Simple, but winning, feel. 4.0

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2012 12:40:13 | More by thecheapies

rfgetz

New Jersey

3.83/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a darker golden amber color, moderate cap of white froth, some sticky lacing. Scent is nice light caramel with toaste grain and roasted nuts, light earthy hoppyness. Taste follows suit, textbook british bitter here. Lighter side of medium bodied, slightly bubbly to style. Solid and flavorful bitter, a style not made much by American brewers.

Serving type: on-tap

09-10-2012 15:46:09 | More by rfgetz

tobelerone

New Jersey

3.58/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap. An easy drinking, basic English bitter. Orangey, amber color, smallish, slowly settling head, nice lacing clinging to the sides of the glass. Caramel malty aroma with some citrus and grassy hop notes; simple and straightforward nose.

Taste follows suit; a bit on the sweeter side but not overly so, with a caramel and bready malt character that dries up pretty well in the finish. Subtle citrus and grass hopping, mild lingering bitterness in the aftertaste.

Medium bodied, medium carbonation, feels crisp and clean but also fairly smooth. Not the most interesting beer out there but an easy drinker and good session candidate for an American brew.

Serving type: on-tap

07-26-2012 17:33:36 | More by tobelerone

estlinska

Arkansas

3.38/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On draft into a pilsner glass at Buffalo Wild Wings. Pours a dark brown with some reddish tones to it. 2cm of off-white head with some small runs of lacing on the glass. The nose is almost all biscuit and caramel malt smells, a little touch of roastiness. There is a quiet floral hop smell as well. The taste is very malt forward, sweet and rich. The hops appear, very quietly without a ruckus, as a gentle fruity bitterness. The mouthfull is middle of the road, fair carbonation. Overall, a pretty good bitter; sessionable.

Serving type: on-tap

06-25-2012 16:12:32 | More by estlinska

kylehay2004

Florida

3.73/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: two finger thick head on a clear copper body.

S: brown sugar, subtle tropical fruitiness and some caramel malts. mildly sweet overall.

T: toasted caramel malts, burnt toast with earthy and biscuity hops. Very mildly bitter.

M: medium body and moderate carbonation.

Overall: very drinkable and nicely on par for the style.

Serving type: on-tap

05-26-2012 00:50:58 | More by kylehay2004

mdaschaf

Washington

3.9/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap at the Baysox game.

A: Honker's was a clear amber color with a one finger off-white head that had moderate retention and spotty lacing.

S: Not a ton going on, but some biscuity malt and a little bit of citrus and orange peel.

T: Pretty mild fruit flavors with more biscuit/bready malt. More orange flavor and a slight tropical citrus flavor.

M: On the lighter side of medium bodied with medium carbonation.

O: A solid beer, easy drinking for sure. Was happy to get it at a minor league game as opposed to having to get a macro lager.

Serving type: on-tap

05-24-2012 18:38:01 | More by mdaschaf

woosterbill

Connecticut

3.73/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at the Cask Republic, served in a pint glass.

A: Clear chestnut body with a finger of fine, frothy tan head. Ok retention and lacing. Not bad.

S: Balanced and substantial, with both fruity hops and earthy malts. Good, but forgettable.

T: Rich maltiness, with both bready and caramelized notes alongside dark fruits and some herbal hops. Tasty.

M: Lively, frothy, slightly prickly. Ok.

O: I'd like to try this on cask to see how it compares to the myriad Bitters I've had in the UK; it's just tough to compare this beer on keg to a classic real ale, but I think Honker's would fit in quite nicely.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

05-21-2012 01:07:17 | More by woosterbill

BlurryVisi0n

New York

3.43/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a pint glass.

Appearance: straight amber, (white) head is thick kind of like your Irish stout thick coming off almost two fingers length.

Smell: light hops, weak malt smell.

Taste: not bad at all, lightly bitter...slight hops and really light grapefruit.

Mouth: sticking after taste, very nice with med-heavy carbonation.

Overall: not bad, more like your poor man's IPA. Good for the days you want to take it easy. Salud!

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2012 18:35:51 | More by BlurryVisi0n