Honker's Ale - Goose Island Beer Co.

burtonbe

Nebraska

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

Appearance is a nice copper toned, slightly cloudy brew, with a decent head of a single finger. Aroma is very pleasant, hop profile is low and hidden, but what is detectable is exceptional. More than acceptable for an English Bitter.

Taste is solid. Good malty flavor, almost perfectly balanced with bitterness. The hop profile on the taste is simple, but one of quality. Carbonation is within limits for the style. Aftertaste is where this one shines. Every time I swallow I want another sip. Very nice.

Mouthfeel is just what I was expecting from the style. I can't ask for much more in this category.

This brew is very drinkable and very sessionable. The aftertaste just forces my tastebuds to yearn for another sip. I could drink this one all night.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2007 01:02:29 | More by burtonbe

tenesmus

United Kingdom (England)

2.83/5  rDev -24.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured into an imperial tulip pint glass.

Amber appearance, a finger of off white head, breaks down to a sparse film over the beer, appreciable lacing streaking the glass.

Aroma nice balance of malts and oily spice, certainly raises anticipation for the first mouthful. However, bit of a let down when tasted, sweet malts, some hint of hops and a touch of buttery diacetyl. Sweetness on the aftertaste but lacks depth, structure and distinction. Feel is also a little thin, moderate carbonation fails to lift the beer.

Overall a forgettable, average interpretation of the style which makes one wonder what the point of the beer is. Whilst there are plenty of anemic bitters around in the UK, there are many examples that demonstrate greater individuality and vitality than this.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2012 19:33:14 | More by tenesmus

Kongquistador

Illinois

3.88/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

My first pour on this beer seemed to have gone wrong, with what little head formed disappearing almost instantly. Drank that and gave a second pour to get a better idea. The second pour was a little better, but I'm going to conclude that this beer pours with a very quickly disappearing head. It also left me very little lace, all of which makes for a mystery as to why there was so little topping, given the amount of carbonation. It looks very nice with a beautiful reddish brown hue, amber around the edges. Smell is a nice citrusy hops, with a distinct malt scent lurking underneath, but no discernable alcohol.

Great taste. That sums this beer up, but in the interest of making the review readable a little more ought to be said. The first sip hit me with a really nice citrus burst, which persisted throughout the swallow. Actually felt a little thin on the end, but it still had a good hoppy feel. There is also a nice caramel malt taste, which balances well with the hops. As the beer warmed I feel like it has thinned out a bit, and the first bite of flavor has mellowed out, not to the point where it could be described as bland or anything like that, but not as full and exciting either. The finish is hops, and good amounts of them, with that ever present citrus twang holding out to the last.

The mouthfeel on the Honker's isn't quite what I might like, but it is still very passable. The carbonation is heavy, and the beer isn't quite as smooth as it might be, given that it doesn't have an overwhelming character in any particular direction. However, the overall balance of the beer is very drinkable, and certainly worth a purchase if you find some.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2003 06:16:20 | More by Kongquistador

TMinton22

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: The beer is a cloudy brown color, with a short off-white head that fades quickly and Lacing was spotty.

Smell: light malts, nuts, and some pale hops.

Taste: The taste is balanced with a pale hops bitterness up front followed by semi-sweet flavors of citrus, nuts & spices and a malt character. The after-taste is slightly bitter.

Probably wouldn't buy to sit and drink a few

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2008 12:48:27 | More by TMinton22

Beast35

Indiana

3.98/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is a hell of a session beer. A good crisp mouth feel with the right amount of carbonation. Very drinkable with a ABV of 4.2%. You can go through a sixer pretty fast. This is my second Goose Island brew and I have to say I am impressed with it. As i Cubs fan can't wait to hit up the Goose Island Wrigleyville establishment.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2009 00:59:49 | More by Beast35

CrazyP

Connecticut

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

A - Poured from a bottle with a 1/4" head and a fairly sparse amount of bubbles. Clear, amber color.

S - Smells of malts, some fruity esters. A low amount of grassy hop aroma.

T - First comes biscuity malts and some fruitiness. Then the bitterness comes through and lingers. Has a minerally character as well.

M - Pretty dry, with low carbonation.

O - This is nice example of an English bitter. However there's something I can't quite pinpoint that keeps me from liking this beer more. I think the malt and hops are not quite balanced. Also I think the drinkability factor is low; the beer is filling and I don't really feel like having more than one.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2012 00:32:38 | More by CrazyP

kboett77

Ohio

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

I really enjoyed this very drinkable, yet remarkably flavorfull beer. I purchased it simply due to amusement at the name. The Hops are balanced wonderfully with the malt in a way that is very satisfing. Often in a beer, I find to much of something and a lack of another. This beer has it all in a form that would keep me ordering round after round. Have a Pint of Bitter, from Chicago!

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2006 14:05:43 | More by kboett77

jujigatame

Massachusetts

3.28/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle into nonic pint.

Clear, light reddish amber color. A bit more than a half finger of white head. Dissipated to almost nothing while drinking. Lacing was fairly thin but consistent.

Smell is grassy and somewhat herby. I get bready malt, some floral hits, some butter, and a bit of lemon I think.

Taste comes as malt that’s slightly toasted. More grass and some graininess. A nutty flavor too but it’s mild. The taste is smooth and even but understated overall. I don’t have a lot of experience with bitters but I wonder if might get a bit bored with this after two. I'm not finding a lot of depth on this one but maybe my palate is too used to more aggressive beers.

Mouthfeel is smooth overall with a medium amount of carbonation.

An okay beer but not one I think I’d go back to at this point. Some more exploration of the style is needed to see if that opinion holds.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2012 00:15:14 | More by jujigatame

BJ1833

Kansas

4.03/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Presentation:

Appearance: Thick white three-finger head. Hazy copper body with visible floating sediment (decanted entire bottle into pint glass).

Aroma: Sweet malt smell with sipcy, citrusy-hop aromas.

Taste: Biscuit-like malt flavors. A unrecognizable spice-like flavor present. Well balanced hop bitterness makes this refreshing and easy to drink.

Overall: Very tasty. My favorite from the Goose Island brewery. A great pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2004 22:05:35 | More by BJ1833

Stygr

Illinois

3.65/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: medium amber color. Full finger with good lacing

S: Hops are apparent, but not overpowering, english in hop nose

T: very english. Hoppy, but not overpowering, malts are more prevalent. Tastes how it smells, but with a nice pleasant finish. .

M: Smooth, slight crispness after the fact, but is just how it should be

Drinkability: Highly drinkable, enjoyed greatly.

Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2009 21:42:48 | More by Stygr

capaneus

New York

4.13/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 5

(A) pours a hazy ruddy bronze with a dense two finger head. the froth reluctantly subsides leaving fantastic lacing and a few stubborn wisps on top. lookin' good! it's the kinda beer you'd like to see a freshly poured pitcher full of.

(S) this beer has a sticky hop-forward aroma with a resinous citrusy quality. smells good, but not overpowering.

(T) the hops are more present in the nose than they are on the tongue. a mild bitterness is followed by a full and deliciously bready malt. the finish is crisp with naught but the most subtle sweetness. like many well made ENGLISH bitters, this is exceptionally balanced though I might prefer slightly more aggressive hopping. I'll be on the lookout for a fresher bottle.

(M) a vigorous pour into my pint glass leaves only a moderate amount of carbonation. the brew has a thin viscosity which at warmer temps can feel somewhat too insubstantial for my preference. there is no alcohol presence at any point in the consumption of this beverage.

(D) fantastically drinkable and dogmatically balanced - at 4.2%, this is just about as close as I've found to a true AMERICAN made session beer. I wish it was just about $1 cheaper for a six pack though. all in all, this is just a genuinely, solid beer which excels at not standing out too much, while still being interesting.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2010 16:49:47 | More by capaneus

mdmako

Michigan

3.4/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Amber or caramel colored with a thin white head that has little retention. Filtered quite well.

S - Roasted biscuity malts and caramel are strong but there is also some citrisy hops.

T - Malty with slight caramel notes. A bold hoppy taste near the end.

M - Thicker than expected for such a filtered beer. Might be because of the higher carbonation.

D - Very drinkable over and over. A solid choice.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2009 01:09:45 | More by mdmako

anneseg

New York

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

Poured a nice light copper color. Head retention was very good. The aroma was slightly floral and spicy. Nicely balanced with enough malt character to go with the initial bitterness. Ends with a smooth slightly sweet finish. Some citrus notes. Very easy to drink good session beer.

Serving type: growler

05-02-2010 04:59:15 | More by anneseg

CJStout

Missouri

4.1/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Pale copper, crystal clear color. White, diminishing head with some lace. Nicely balanced light taste - hops are noticable, malt as well, neither dominate. Carbonation is a little too pronounced. Very enjoyable session brew. Excellent gateway beer for Macro quaffers.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2006 21:59:06 | More by CJStout

Brodirt

New York

4.05/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Clean, clear, copper colored bitter with a nice rich head. I find this beer really easy to drink...I think the style, bitter, is a bit low on carbonation, but not so that it tastes flat, and that makes it real easy to down.

Nice malty sweetness, a bit of citrus and a dry bitter finish.

With every one of Goose Islands offerings I try they come closer and closer to Dogfish Head as my favorite overall brewery.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2006 18:04:03 | More by Brodirt

vividox

Missouri

4.18/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pretty looking beer with an above par scent. The label says a perfect blend of hops and malt, and if you like your malt a little more than you hops, than it is probably close to perfect. The malt did overshadow the hops by quite a bit but the result was still an excellent tasting beer. Mouthfeel was smooth and rich, drinkability was great.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2009 03:31:32 | More by vividox

AleWerks

Virginia

4.13/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Hazy, amber colored with a frothy (quickly disappearing) head.
A - Fruit, biscuit, malt, and mild hop aroma.
T - Medium- light body with notes of biscuit, malt, and British hops.
Mouthfeel / Drinkability - Medium - light body with medium carbonation. At 4.2% ABV, it's a nice session ale.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2010 00:44:38 | More by AleWerks

CanonJohn

Florida

4.18/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from bottle into a mug.

A: Slightly milky golden brown. Very nice.

S: I found the smell to be a bit of a let down. It was like opening a bud long neck, only maybe not so foul.

T: The taste was great. Nice malty, roasty barley up front, with a carmely malty middle, and a slight hoppy end. It left me with a great bitter after that let me know I was drinking a good ale.

M: It has a thick, almost honey like feel to it. Almost like velvet dropping down the back of my throat.

D: Very drinkable, however I find it a bit filling, so 2 or 3 would do me very well.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2011 07:12:13 | More by CanonJohn

Geegmasta

2.93/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a pint glass.

Appearance- Amber color with not much of a head. The small white, bubbly head quickly dissipated with no lacing.

Smell- Has a hoppy overtone but otherwise I could liken it to Budweiser in all honesty.

Taste- Hits the palette with a decent mix of hops and malt. Has a bitter finish with lingering, hoppy taste. I hate to say it but it tastes like a better Budweiser.

Mouthfeel- Light bodied and refreshing. Medium carbonation that tingles and exits quickly.

Overall- Imagine Budweiser 0.5 of a step up the ladder of quality (with 10 rungs, not 5). It's the kind of beer I would have after a hard day's work outside in the late spring/summer. It's nothing to write home about or anything I'd buy again due to the cost per quality.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 03:21:14 | More by Geegmasta

superdoopersauce

Ohio

3.35/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This was the most decent looking (I've come to agree with most of Goose Island's outputs) beer at my local grocery, so I picked it up. The pour gives you a decent sized head. Not a lot of aroma though, more of a faint "beer-stink" smell... certainly not that impressive. Overall taste is average, with a lighter-than-expected weight on the palate. It's decently easy to drink, moreso than the level of taste would garnish - but that doesn't save it from the fact that it can't really deliver anything special. If I wanted to pass rounds of beer out to people who don't care what they drink, I might choose this one.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2009 02:09:17 | More by superdoopersauce

LightEnthusiast

South Dakota

1.02/5  rDev -72.8%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

Wow. If you're looking for bitter beer, this is it.

I guess some have a knack for this sort of thing, but this beer to me is absolutely horrible. It ruins everything, including meals...makes me want to use mouthwash afterwards. It's like sharp cheddar meets fresh cut grass but without the freshness. I'd rather gnaw on a pine cone.

Bitter, bitter, bitter.

As I said, if you're looking for a bitter, mouth twisting, disgusting tasting beer - you've found it here.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2010 20:36:16 | More by LightEnthusiast

madamebeer

Michigan

3.63/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Appearance- i mid-range almost reddish amber

smell- a sweet, fresh, almost cidery scent. very appealing

taste- a tinge of hops works well with this beer. the flavor is not overpowering

mouthfeel- overcarbonted, but besides that it works, leaves my mouth a little dry however

drinkability- this beer doesn't weigh heavy , it is easy to drink and i would drink it again

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2010 00:49:37 | More by madamebeer

d1blet

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into pilsner glass.

Appearance: Amber with a light head that quickly dissipates.

Smell: Light crisp maltiness.

Taste: Crisp and malty with slightly hoppy, light hoppy, bitter finish.

Mouthfeel: Light with a light creaminess.

Overall: One my go-to craft beers. Pretty solid with a lightness that pars it well with light snacks. It's a great sipping beer that is perfect throughout the year.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2011 04:11:27 | More by d1blet

Hanby

Wisconsin

4.15/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A- Light brown with a finger of lingering off-white head.

S- Caramel and malt. There was not a strong alcohol smell.

T- Very smooth taste of caramel and malt, with a hint of citrus. It's really easy drinking. Again, not much alcohol taste or bite.

M- Good carbonation. Nothing extraordinary.

O- I liked Honker's Ale a lot, and will definitely go back to it. Goose Island has gained a devoted fan. Honker's is a very good tasting ale for smooth drinking. Nothing too strong here.
I think it'd be an ideal Autumn or Winter beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-26-2011 00:17:58 | More by Hanby

michaelbutler

Illinois

3.83/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Goose Island Honkers Ale
5/14/10
bottled 3/25/10 1400

12 oz bottle poured to pint glass

A: Cloudy dark golden amber, thick foamy head
S: Sweet malt, bready/toasty
T: Citrsy, dry and bitter finish
M: Medium body, moderate carbonation
D: Very easy drinking

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2010 03:20:39 | More by michaelbutler