Père Jacques - Goose Island Beer Co.

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2011 bottle

hazy amber pour with a finger of head which quickly dissipated

smells of bourbon, vanilla, caramel, toffee, nuts
a very sweet nutty flavor, raisins, dates, caramel.. not much alcohol in the taste but you do get the warmth. medium body, slightly creamy with low carbonation.

a very pleasant surprise for a boring night without internet or tv. very tasty, very sweet.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 23:40:10 | More by facundoCNB

mick303

Ontario (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2010 Bottle. Pours a small, receding head, but shows good lacing. Colour is a nice rich red-brown.

Smell is out of the bottle, recalling sweet warm wort. This comes across quite strongly, with raisins, brown sugar, caramel, and cherry notes. Balanced and interesting.

Taste is initially quite malty with a significant dry sweetness, a quiet fruitiness, the traditional burnt sugar, and subtle raisin notes. Aftertaste is clean, dry roast malt.

Mouthfeel is medium-full bodied, a touch syrupy. Carbonation is quite mild, the beer can feel a bit heavy. Maltiness fills the palate, but quite dry and relatively balanced. Drinkability is great.

This is really nice, I find it a bit on the sweet side, but other than that is true to the style. I would recommend this beer, it shows some nice complexity, and while not as refined as some belgium dubbels, it is worth trying out.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 18:14:50 | More by mick303

tviz33

New York

3.65/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22 oz bottle poured in to a pint glass

A- Pours a deep copper color with a big tan head that lasts.

S- Cherries and dark fruits. Maybe a little vanilla, brown sugar, and just a bit of spice.

T- Tastes like dark fruit, but the alcohol is really noticeable here. Just a little bit of spice as the nose indicated.

M- Medium body with minimal carbonation.

O- Not all that impressive. I'd take one if offered, but I won't seek it out in the future.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 20:33:56 | More by tviz33

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Re-review July of 2012: nose is brown sugar, caramel, sweet malt profile, light yeast character, faint spice and banana notes. Taste is well integrated with heavy sweet malt profile, candied and brown sugars with a touch of caramel and banana notes behind. The spice is faint and the yeast is present but light in back. Solid body, assertive carbonation, clean and crisp finish

***

A-dark ruby red, mostly clear with some particles floatiing around in it. the head is very light tan, dense and creamy, leaving a nice lace on the glass.

S-the nose is quite sweet, the caramel malts and candied sugar is right up front. banana, notes of wheat, dark plums and a touch of raisin towards the back with a hint of pepper at the very end.

T-lots of sweetness, candied sugar, very faint caramel, lots of plums behind, a touch of black cherry, hint of booze, light bitterness to the finish.

M-full bodied and syrupy, quite thick and chewy, low carbonation and would have liked to see a little more to balance out the huge body.

D-very tasty beer, lots of dark fruity sweetness. hints of hop bitterness to balance the big sweet malts and a huge syrupy feel.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2012 16:39:37 | More by cpetrone84

ToasterChef

Maine

4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A chilled 2012 bottle is poured into a small glass.

It's a dark molasses colored beer, with plenty of rising carbonation inside. The head is modest, and made up of tan foam.

There is molasses in the nose, along with some Belgian sugars. I think I can also smell some dark dried fruit.

The beer has a nuttiness to the its flavor that I like. I'm also tasting raisins and a musty Belgian yeast.

The beer does leave a film behind after I swallow. It holds some of the raisin flavor.

This is an interesting dubbel. I'm glad I finally bought a bottle. I think I'm going to have to buy another and age it to see what happens.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 21:30:05 | More by ToasterChef

mscudder

Georgia

4.13/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Happy to see some brews from Goose Island make their may in Georgia. Had this one on tap at Taco Mac in Midtown, Atlanta.

A - A deep brown with a slight ruby hue. No head at all, perhaps the bartender just had a bad pour?

S - Some dark fruits, Belgian yeasts and a touch of spice. Really rather soft on the nose, nothing shocked me.

T - A pretty good tasting Dubbel for sure. Toasted malts and rich dark fruits drape over the palette. Fruits include: plum, figs and raisin. Some sweet caramel malts and brown sugar help add some smoothness to the beer, with a touch of pepper to make it more lively.

M - Some nice moderate carbonation, avoiding excess, alongside a medium body. Given the flavor packed into this one I was surprised it was not more full! That said, it was rich and never jumped out of balance.

O - The high complexity makes this one a bit hard to drink more than a few. The alcohol is well hidden and gives the brew just a pinch of warmth throughout. I would be happy to return to this one, granted it is not one I would enjoy on a weekly basis.

Serving type: on-tap

10-01-2012 22:28:53 | More by mscudder

EdwardLongshanks

3.73/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Ommegang Abbey is cheaper and better. This tastes like that but with 20% water. The aspects of a great Dubbel are there - fig stickiness and an addictive tannin-like leathery bluntness. It just lacks punch. The booze is there ... but I don't drink Dubbels for the booze.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 06:06:17 | More by EdwardLongshanks

rfbenavi80

Missouri

3.98/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled on 6/10/11. So roughly a little over a year old. Poured into a tulip.

A- Pours a hazy amber/orange/brown color, with half a finger of off white maybe light tan head that quickly went away leaving a very thin ring at the edge of the glass.

S- Rich, sweet dark fruits. Candied brown sugar. Rich sweet maltiness. Smells like a good dubbel should. Small amount of alcohol.

T- Follows nose well. Rich and sweet this one has lots of candied brown sugar flavors. Tasty dark fruits of plums, dark ripe cherries, and raisins.

M- Smooth and silky the mouthfeel is nice. Nice amount of carbonation for a dubbel.

O- A decent dubbel for somebody looking to get into Belgian Ales. Nothing over the top good, but a decent beer nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 00:57:15 | More by rfbenavi80

DelMontiac

Oklahoma

3.68/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Cellared this 12oz bottle for over two years. Bottled on date: 01/13/10. Vessel: goblet.

Color is a very classy red/orange/copper. Head is...a thin film of khaki leaving no trace behind. Seriously? This is exactly what I expect from screw tops. Why, why, why?!

Aromas are a bit subdued by the alcohol and a metallic presence. Once warmed up, the cherries, apples, plums, and grapes come through backed by plenty of sugary caramel.

Flavors are the pinnacle here - grape, plum, cherry, tart caramel apple, vanilla, and a little bourbon.

I think this one fell victim to the screw top. A bit under carbonated and thin for a Belgian double.

Overall, I'm unimpressed with THIS bottle. I wouldn't have cellared this beer had I noticed it was a screw top. On the other hand, I can tell this brew SHOULD be great. I'll just have to get another one and try again.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2012 21:44:02 | More by DelMontiac

TwelveOunces

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 Oz bottle poured into a tulip
2012 Vintage
8.7% ABV

A- Super hazy dark orange amber. A two finger of an off white head. Good retention and some alcohol legs.

S- I get a little caramel in here. A good bit of dark fruits comes through as well. A spiciness. There is a slight lemon zest. Smells like a solid Dubbel.

T- A slight sweetness up front. There is a little alcohol taste in here. Caramel infused dark fruits are this beers highlight. There is plums and raisins and some fig all candied. There are some breaddy notes and rum notes as well.

M- Silky smooth and creamy. It has a nice size and feel to it. It is a bit hot however, there's a good alcohol taste and feel to this beer. Refreshing and quite the treat.

O- This is a great Dubbel. I think its on par with many of the Belgian ones I have had. Only this one is cheaper and more accessible than any rivals.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2012 22:05:57 | More by TwelveOunces

vandemonian

Maryland

3.8/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.5

Goose Island Pere Jacques is a light coloured, dry and bitter dubbel. I didn't particularly like the flavour. I think dubbels benefit from more sweetness.

A: Slightly cloudy orange colour with an excellent 5 mm head that lasts pretty well. Much lighter in colour than most dubbels. 4.5

S: Fruity banana yeast and some vanilla. 4

T: Malt, earthy and quite dry with some biter tobacco flavour. The finish is bitter with some woody sawdust flavours. 3.5

M: Silky and foamy. 5

O: 3.5

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2012 23:38:32 | More by vandemonian

Bfarr

Washington

3.9/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Cloudy brown and thin tan head with poor retention. Yeast and dark fruit aroma with hints of vanilla. Bread and spiced plum with vanilla notes and cherry finish with a clean linger. Light and smooth with a light carbonation and stickiness.

A very nice, balanced flavor with good sweetness. Refreshingly clean finish with just a bit of a sticky linger. A good all-around dubbel.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 13:25:12 | More by Bfarr

matttttYCE

Arizona

4.1/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Deep ruby brown color. The head is off white/tan and about 2 fingers. Lace sticks moderately.

So fruity and malty it's almost strange, in a good way though. Fig/plum/raisin (whoa), rich malts, Belgian candy sugar and yeast, toffee, sweetness, brown sugar, caramel notes, other reviews plant the idea that there are hints of vanilla (Yes, I'm guilty of reading other reviews sometimes before I review a beer), and as the online description leads me to believe, perfect alternative to a glass of port. Wonderful smell.

Dark fruits and black cherry, toffee, candy sugar, caramel and rich caramel malts, burnt brown sugar, light Belgian yeast, light estery notes, light spice, some biscuity malt as well, hints of nuts, hint of vanilla.

Medium body, silky smooth consistency, medium carbonation and a light finish add to drinkability.

I don't remember the last Dubbel I had, it was probably Affligem (because it was cheap at the time but it was good). But this beer, was sort of an eye opener as far as Dubbels go. Aroma took me completely by surprise for a beer I bought months ago and pushed to the back of the cellar. The taste follows through very nicely from the aroma and it's quite drinkable. Basically this beer reminds me that I need to expand my pallete (however you spell it) and try some more dubbels as well as buy some more of this to age!

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 08:45:05 | More by matttttYCE

brureview

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap at Doherty's in Pawtucket, RI.

The beer poured a light tea color and wafted a slight fruit smell.

The mouth feel is mildly carbonated which works well to balance the beer's light alcoholic presence and vanilla fruit taste.

Overall- no strong aroma or finish, but the beer is very well balanced.

Serving type: on-tap

09-03-2012 01:38:40 | More by brureview

MrHurmateeowish

New Hampshire

4.63/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

22oz bottle purchased at Market Basket in Somersworth. Pours a murky copper with a thin film of khaki-colored head. Smells like caramel, dark fruit, banana. Tastes like banana, dark fruit, caramel, nutmeg. Medium bodied with medium to low carbonation. One sip invites another.

Very good. Tasty, balanced, drinkable... Can't complain. One of the best dubbels I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2012 00:46:37 | More by MrHurmateeowish

IvoryFoxhole

Virginia

3.95/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2/22/2012 bottling - 750 ml bottle poured into tulip glass

A) Not much of a head - dissipates quickly leaving no lacing and an ultra-thin cap. Beer is an attractive dark amber.

S) Lots of sweet malts, fruit, definitely some alcohol as well

T) Malt and caramel, decent amount of alcohol. Fruitiness comes in on finish a little bit, maybe raisin.

M) Thin, very carbonated and drying as a result of the alcohol.

O) Wondering a bit about the storage prior to my obtaining this, as some of the tastes should have been bolder and they seem faded. Decent effort, I think.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 16:45:07 | More by IvoryFoxhole

MaximalC

Illinois

3.65/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a murky copper color (similar to apple cider) with a meager tan head that disappears in short order. Aroma is largely of caramel with some alcohol and a mild fruitiness. The caramel malt dominates the flavor profile, though the considerable alcohol is even more pronounced than in the nose. Some Belgian yeast, dark fruit, and vanilla can be found as well. The carbonation could be a little higher to help augment the sweetness, but this is a minor grievance. Dubbels aren't exactly my favorite style, but as far as dubbels go, this is pretty good, though the alcohol could be concealed a little better. Goose Island continues to demonstrate a skillful hand at Belgian style brews.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 00:37:18 | More by MaximalC

PeterMatthes

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

(2011 Vintage - bottled on 4/11/11)
12oz Bottle served into Belgian Chalice @ 52*F.

A: Hazy mahogany brown, with a one fingers fizzy head that quickly dissipates. Highly carbonated.

S: Boozy and fruity. Dark fruit (fig/raisin) and brown sugar. Smells fantastic and sharp.

T: Strong presence of an excellent belgian-style yeast. Raisin, fig, dark grapes, dark cherry, pear. Lots of fruit flavor. Lots. A bit bready and hearty.

M: Great carbonation, very appropriate for the style. Palate is left with a slight alcohol tingle, mixed with a feeling of carbonation left behind.

O: This 2011 Pere Jacques is my first experience with it. With one year of age, it's superb. One of my favorite belgian-style dubbels.

Review #3 - 8/21/12

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 23:57:49 | More by PeterMatthes

KajII

North Carolina

3.9/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

[Suggested Glassware: Trappist Glass]

The pour was a murky dark ruby red with a strong brownish hue and a very small (less than 1/8") off white fizzy head, which diminished totally leaving behind a very small collar and poor lacing.

The aroma was of a moderate caramel malt and a sweet Belgian yeast with notes of dark fruit (raisons, figs & plums), banana, green apple and a slight alcohol tinge.

The taste was malty-sweet with notes of caramel and green apple early on and then took on a strong dark fruit presence with a touch of banana and had a slight red wine alcohol finish. The flavor lasted a decently long time proceeding the swallow with a sweet fruity taste left behind.

Mouthfeel was almost medium in body and dry in texture with a strong ticklish carbonation.

Overall very well rounded Belgian Ale with a nice caramel fruitiness which blended well with the Belgian yeast, thus containing the high alcohol content...

http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 16:37:15 | More by KajII

mooseo

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

750ml into tulip.

A - Dark amber with slight ruby hues. Small off-white head.

S - Dark fruit, Belgian yeast, brown sugar, hint of vanilla.

T - Dark fruit and sweet caramel malt up front, followed by Belgian yeast and vanilla. Very malt forward, with an earthy hop bitterness just coming through into the finish. Some alcohol evident.

M - Smooth and silky, medium bodied, crisp carbonation. Warming alcohol.

O - Decent dubbel from Goose Island. Reminds me of an old ale in some respects, particularly because of the heavy malt presence and vanilla notes. Still, this is a tasty brew worthy of repeat purchase.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 02:57:04 | More by mooseo

JerzDevl2000

New Jersey

4.18/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a bottle of this in Totowa last week, having no idea what style of beer this was. After seeing that it was a Dubbel, I wondered if this could match up with its Belgian counterparts. Emphatically, the answer is yes and there's no doubt that this was one of the bigger surprises that I've had in quite some time!

This had a nice, dark pour to it that almost bordered on a burgundy. A good amount of head and some lacing was present and there was a bit of cloudy sediment in the hue as well. The mouthfeel was near perfect, as it was balanced, silky, and smooth. Dark fruit like plum and raisin, molasses, some yeast, and a bit of sugar rounded out the flavors and as to be expected, there was little carbonation to detract from everything here. Not to be enjoyed quickly, this was a beer that I took my time with as the flavors stuck around for a while after each sip.

I couldn't believe that this was only average in the alcohol department, as I could feel the booze well before I finished off the contents. This servring was bottled back in May but like others on here, I'd love to get another and let it age for a while. While this wasn't cheap, it was worth what I paid for it and I'd certainly give this another go in due time.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2012 21:56:21 | More by JerzDevl2000

mattbk

New York

4.38/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Reddish brown, raisiny, cloudy, very light carbonation.

S- Dark fruit, raisin, plums, subtle belgian yeast phenols.

T- This is very good. Yes, the dark fruit is there, but its balanced by nice yeasty esters. May be some very light chocolate here as well. Fairly sweet, tastes very strongly of raisin. Fairly complex, yet drinkable.

M- I think the mouthfeel makes this beer very approachable. Not heavy, as the taste and aroma imply. Lightly carbonated, which works well for this style.

O- The combination of the dark fruit, yeast, and light mouthfeel make this an excellent beer, and very approachable.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2012 01:47:23 | More by mattbk

mschind

California

4.2/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Bottled on 7-29-11. Poured into a chalice with a one inch head that quickly faded to a thin cap. Clear medium copper with some reddish hues.

S- Everything is here for a Dubbel and nothing out of place, just a bit subdued. Carmel malt, candi sugar and dried fruit along with that distinctive Blegian yeast aroma.

T- Love the fruity malt richness with some sherry notes. Also some clove spice. A little alcohol warmth in the finish.

M- Medium to full bodied but the carbonation is on the low side.

O- A very good domestic Dubbel. Not as big on flavor and aroma as some of the top scoring examples but priced right. I would serve this without hesitation.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 21:38:48 | More by mschind

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2009 Vintage, bottled Jun 10
Pours a deep copper color with a decent sized beige head that quickly dissipates to a cap. Smells of brown sugar, caramel, dark cherries, raisins, and prunes with a nice melanoidin thing going on. The flavor follows the aroma quite well. Dark sugars and fruits with burnt raisin thing going on. Medium body with a light level of carbonation and a sweet slick mouthfeel. I was worried that I had sat on this one too long, but it all worked out. Nice brew that reminds me a bit of an aged barleywine or a dopplebock. Maybe now I should try a fresh one.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2012 23:51:17 | More by johnnnniee

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a tulip.

Appearance
Cloudy mahogany with 1-2 fingers of head that dissipates quickly. Light yeast sediment is suspended in the glass.

Nose
Fig, raisin, molasses, dates, hints of chocolate & fruity esters.

Taste
Raisins & dates covered in caramel & dark candy sugar. Molasses, figs & green raisins quickly follow with dabs of prune juice and chocolate syrup. Candy sugars and caramel coated dark fruits persist to linger.

Mouthfeel
Medium-full bodied, silky, smooth and moderately warming.

Overall
An excellent example of a Dubbel. Complex, elegant, sweet and chock full of candy-coated dark fruits. The alcohol is deceptively hidden. Another score from Goose Island on par with St. Bernardus Prior 8!

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 18:48:58 | More by justintcoons