Honker's Ale - Goose Island Beer Co.

orbitalr0x

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Golden amber pour with hints of red and a bubbly off white head. Quite a nice aroma on this one...citric hoppiness mixes with some piney tones and a nice sweetness. I'm impressed.

Crisp, sweet caramel and pale malts meld with some nice citric and slightly piney hop flavors. A bit of bready flavor along with some nice bitterness on the way down. A nice showing from Goose Island.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with some nice carbonation. This is an APA that I could easily session...it rivals my favorite SNPA. I dunno why I didn't try this one earlier!

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2005 02:58:01 | More by orbitalr0x

BigRedN

Nebraska

4/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Part of the Goose Island Pub pack.

Appearance: Light amber in color, clear, nice big fluffy white head, at least 1/2-inch. Lingered for a while then fell back to a thin covering. Some lacing down the glass.

Smell: Most noticeable are the hops. Floral hops, and a little citrusy, almost lemon like.

Taste: Most definitely hopped, as one would expect from a good pale ale, although fortunately not overly done.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, lightly carbonated, not overpowering.

Drinkability: When in Chicago this is a must have (on tap in many places). Very good in the bottle. Even though I got only two of these in the pub pack, its one of the ones I would purchase again, in a six pack.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2005 05:08:59 | More by BigRedN

Reidrover

Oregon

4.03/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

In appearance ,it is a very attractive,glowing amber beer.With some nice carbonation and a good sized bubbly white head. Some great lacing.
Good fresh aroma,malty and slightly hoppy.Slight caramel scent.
Quite malty ,caramel, in taste to start, thena nice hop bitterness, also slightly fruity.
pretty good on the tongue, slight dry finish and a nice aftertaste.
A nicely done Pale ale..great drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2004 06:22:15 | More by Reidrover

BeerBob

Nebraska

4/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Honker’s Ale pours a fair reddish amber from a 12oz brown glass bottle. Huge head went well over three fingers before settling down to a light rocky top with ring and sheets of lace on the sides of my glass.

Nose is of pine and malt, the pleasant malt sweetness coursing in and out with each breath.

Major malt and pine greet the palate with waves of smooth malty ale that has been well hopped. Not too sweet a malt, but rather well tempered with a likable citrus note. An ale of world class awaits you from Goose Island and should not be passed up.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2004 06:23:01 | More by BeerBob

Suds

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I had a few bottles of Honker’s Ale recently with a nice pheasant dinner. Pours a clear, amber color with a slight white head: an average looking brew. The aroma is nice: floral, slightly musty hops, along with a caramel, mildly roasty maltiness. Medium body with relatively low carbonation. A bit on the sweet side, with a central maltiness. Well balanced, and has a very clean finish. It’s nothing outstanding, but is a drinkable, well-proportioned ale.

Serving type: on-tap

11-20-2004 16:16:38 | More by Suds

clvand0

Kentucky

3.83/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer pours an amber color with a small white head that dies off quickly and leaves a small amount of lacing on the glass. The aroma is typical of an APA - grassy hop with a slight caramel backing. The flavor is a little sweet, but has the floral hops there with some malt to balance it out. Well-balanced APA.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2004 19:02:54 | More by clvand0

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

3.8/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

The beer poured clear light amber with a low white head which lasted to lace the glass.

The aroma was hoppy and fruity with a slight caramel impression.

The flavor was fruity and hoppy with caramel and a nice bittering to balance.

The finish was dry with lasting hop bitterness long into the aftertaste. The body was medium.

12 ounce bottle. A nice APA.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2004 23:55:47 | More by GCBrewingCo

mobyfann

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Paid $12.49 flat for the 'Pub Pack'...

The appearence wasn't anything special, unless I poured it wrong??? It was a classic amber base with a small white head, low retention, no lacing and not impressive for an average rating... this part is subject to change, hopfeully... The aroma is nice of a mild hoppy variety, like it's counterpart IPA this APA tends to carry it's hoppier cousins traits. Nice smell.

The taste is mellow and smooth, not as spectactular as I was assuming, but it is nice all-together. The M&D are high, the carbonation is low on this one and there is no sign of alcohol in this APA, other than that, I find this very drinkable and would highly promote it as a session beer.

Final Thought: Goose Island now 5 for 5 and at $6 a 6-pack this brewery is taking the place of where Great Lakes and Bell's formerly were as my prefered 'premium' drinking beer (for price, still in college).

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2004 03:55:44 | More by mobyfann

skybluewater

Minnesota

3.83/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12-oz bottle from a Pub Pak, freshness date "011705". Pours a very average amber color. Grapefruit dominates in the smell. Taste is of pink grapefruit. Mouthfeel is a bit thin (as is with most Goose Island beers, IMO).

Nevertheless, this is a good choice as a session ale, another average but highly drinkable Goose Island brew. Nothing really special, but you could drink it all night if you had to.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2004 05:42:55 | More by skybluewater

finepaws

North Carolina

3.25/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a coppery orange. Small white head that laces the edges towards the end. Smells fruity and floral. Like citrus flowers. Tastes malty and fruity. Like grapefruit. Slightly hoppy. Has a rind taste. Salty. Very carbonated. This is a beers beer. Good with food. Not one I would choose again, simply cause it's not my cup of tea. But one worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2004 02:42:02 | More by finepaws

BJ1833

Kansas

4.03/5  rDev +7.8%
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

ken3c

Michigan

3.63/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Very clear light copper. Half inch head leaves a layer of foam and intense lacing.

Smells slightly flowery.

Tastes intensely flowery but well balanced with sweetnes so that it's not overpowering. Dry finish. Actually the finish is rather abrupt. Disappointing in a way.

Light to medium body and moderately carbonated.

Very enjoyable if a little disappointing in the finish. I've discovered with this beer that a good finish really makes you crave another one.

Serving type: on-tap

09-03-2004 04:35:18 | More by ken3c

CAMRAhardliner

Ontario (Canada)

4.3/5  rDev +15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Light bronze color with a smallish head and absolutely no lace. The bubbles are sparse and really big. The aroma is of fruity malts (or yeast?) and cedary hops. The flavor is very well balanced with apples, biscuity malts, and very flavorful hops. Theres a spicey hop finish with a very crisp aftertaste. There is excellent carbonation and a very thick mouthfeel. Overall this is a very good beer.

note- The label says this beer is bottle conditioned but I couldnt see even the slightest bit of yeast sediment in the bottle and the beer poured very clear. go figure.... still a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2004 17:46:40 | More by CAMRAhardliner

nomad

Kansas

4.08/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

American Pale Ale? I beg to differ, this beer is an English Special Bitter, please...

Pours the softest of soft, hazy orange with a lustrous glow. The head on this ale sits quite well with a judicious amount of fair lacing.

Smells of lemons, light floral scents, some hop bushiness, and that indistinct byt typical light earthiness of English aroma hops. Flavors follow suit with caramel and roasty malts wrapped in plenty of minty, earthy, and floral hop flavors. Just enough hint of citrus fruit notes are mixed through out. A great example of how malts and hops can match and aid each other.

Now in the Midwest, this beer will always be around my fridge. Excellent session beer of medium body and moderate but full flavor.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2004 20:18:13 | More by nomad

oracle

Indiana

4.03/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle in a shaker style glass

Beer poured clear light copper. Unfortunately, there was very little head retention on the medium bodied half inch head.

Smell was a little more hoppy than I expected, but being an huge pale and IPA fan, this was not exactly a disappointment. Smelled clean, plainly hoppy with a undertone of oak or pine.

Taste was suprisingly good. Good hops all the way through, without being overpowering. Drank clean and easy, just like the smell.

Mouthfeel was average. no cloying aftertaste and not too much carbonation.

All-in-all, very good and very easy to drink. This will become one of the beers I buy in twelve packs and keep on hand all the time.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2004 03:45:23 | More by oracle

jvajda

Ohio

3.35/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

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

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2004 22:58:01 | More by jvajda

profzoom

Idaho

4.38/5  rDev +17.1%
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

necoadam

Connecticut

3.15/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Ordered this beer online with a bunch of other beers so I decided to try the easy beers first. Poured out a copper color with a nice enough of head. It settled down eventually. Smell consisted of malts mostly blending in with some carmel. Taste was almost the same. Malts and caramel hit the palate first with some soft hop undertones that show up in the middle and lasts into the aftertaste. It's pretty much average with nothing wowing me here. But as a session beer this would be pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2004 23:55:19 | More by necoadam

bigbubba

Ohio

4.45/5  rDev +19%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A beautiful clear copper-orange with a fizzy white head. The smell is good, but nothing real special. The taste is very pleasant, lightly hopped, pretty dry. Very clean tasting with little aftertaste. Very good for a hot summer day, I'm not sure I would have rated it the same in January. It is well carbonated which helps the otherwise thin mouthfeel. It is extremely easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2004 21:45:53 | More by bigbubba

beergeek279

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in the 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass. The color is amber, with a nice foamy white head with good retention. The smell is slight hoppiness. The taste is a mellow, slight citrus hopping with a noticable fairly dry malt in the background. Mouthfeel is average. Drinkability-wise, this would have very nice sessionability and could have quite a few of these.

A very nice brew from Goose Island. I first had this one on draft, but it holds up nicely in the bottle. A good pale ale, and certainly one I'd enjoy seeing around.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2004 02:34:40 | More by beergeek279

Ricochet

Ohio

4.22/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

When I lived in Louisville KY and I couldn't get to the Cumberland and I wanted (and could afford) a micro, I bought Goose!

In Clevo, mom had bought a 6 and offered me one and I tasted it again after drinking a Sammy at dinner. This is a damn good ale. It smells great, looks great and goes down with all the flavor of the best bottled beers I've tasted. It tastes full, rich and not too bitter although it just misses for personal preferences on hoppiness. When I finish one of these I want another and I'm happy to do so.

Also, I noted that this is usually a buck-two bucks cheaper than Sammy or Great Lakes. Why shop anywhere else?

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2004 05:12:19 | More by Ricochet

lokicat444

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Rusty orange colored, it is quite pleasing to the eye. Head has some staying-power, and is appropriate for this style. What you'd expect from a typical pale ale.

Smell has intriguing citrus undetones, though these are understated compared to, say, Sierra Nevada. Draws you in, but does not overwhelmingly draw you in.

Taste is enjoyable and somewhat complex. Hoppiness level is balanced nicely with a subtle fruitiness.

Drinkability is excellent. The lingering taste of each sip draws you in for the next one.

Bottomline: An excellent fall-back beer (well, at least if you live in Chicago like me and can find this on tap virtually everwhere). A satisfying ale that can be enjoyed at practically any occasion or meal. Not a challenging beer, but a dependable one. I like to think of it as the less-hoppy little brother of SNPA.
Note: I've found the taste and smell to be slightly superior on tap than in bottles.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2004 04:54:15 | More by lokicat444

Puddleglum

Ohio

3.73/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I thought this was a splendid Ale but was a little shy of being a Pale Ale as far as I could tell. The appearance was good and the head laced down the side of the glass as I worked my way through it. The smell was as malty and spicy as it was hoppy. So too was the taste. I found, despite the lack of hop aroma, that the mouthfeel was that of pale with a little electricity on the sides of the tongue. I would have given this beer top marks if it were touting itself as an ale rather than a pale.

Serving type: on-tap

06-16-2004 18:22:49 | More by Puddleglum

DPMomutant

Missouri

4.03/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Best by 8-1....decently fresh....

Pours a medium-amber with a 1 inch head. The head doesn't last particularly long but does lace a bit.

The smell isn't bad. Not terribly strong and almost all malt.

The malt comes out in the taste. It tastes almost more like a stock ale than a pale but it's good. I'm tasting a little spiciness in the hops that's a nice addition to the taste.

The carbonation is moderate and this beer feels pretty good going down. Lively, but not harsh at all.

This one isn't too bad for putting down a few. GI products are pretty available around here and I'd probably get it a lot if Boulevard weren't just as good and usually cheaper.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2004 04:12:00 | More by DPMomutant

UnionMade

Colorado

4.15/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to oldcrustacean for the bottle!
The beer pours a beautiful, crystal clear brass, a thick, two finger ivory froth gathered from a vigorous pour. The head settles into an even, tiny bubbled coating, collared by a thicker rim.
The aroma is very well balanced. An undertone of pungent, herbal and piney hopping bouys a rich toasty malt character. I'm guessing some nugget and goldings? The malt acquires a slightly biscuity tint with some warmth, almost a little ham-like, slight pear esters adding a fruity softness. The malt gets a bit mashy when allowed to warm. Very nice.
The flavor starts with a moderate toasty maltiness. Some grainy, biscuity malt adds a pleasant harshness, with a cereal quality. Soft pear and peach esters in the middle, traveling into a moderate, balancing hoppy finish. Rather herbal, with a slight high alpha pungency. Some goldings floral hop flavor, slight grapefruit rind, the bittering mostly derived from the herbal tone. The malt keeps a hold throughout, adding a final, sweetening burst right in the swallow. A lingering malty aftertaste, with a spark of orange citrus on the very back of the tongue. Soft, english styled carbonation supporting a lightish medium body. Very smooth drinking, I have to check myself to keep from gulping it down.
A fairly complex, easy drinking pale ale. Great malt character with a solid, mildly hoppy finish. Just what I want in a session ale. I'd easily buy this by the sixer as an everyday drinking beer, if only it were available around here.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2004 03:16:53 | More by UnionMade