Kilgubbin Red Ale - Goose Island Beer Co.

bluemoonswoon

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle poured into an imperial pint glass.

A: Pours a slightly brownish shade of ruby rude with a mixture of loose clear bubbles resting on top of the tightly packed one inch head, the head fades away into a cap in a minute or so and leaves little lacing along the way to the bottom of the glass.

S: Smells a bit like Honkers Ale but with a bit more of a malty presence and a little less on the hops, which is to say there is a dextrose and sweet crackery aroma going on here with bits of green apple.

T/MF: Not as sweet as I was expecting, a bit on the dry side actually, that crackery aspect that was there in the aroma is very present in the taste, much less hop character in this one than the honker's ale and replaces it instead with a solid huskiness, don't get me wrong the hops are still there they just play a smaller role, this is evidenced in the slight bitting sensation I feel on my tongue after I swallow the beer with a nice tingling sensation around the roof of the mouth and the gums. The further I get into this beer the more balanced it becomes, in the opening the fruity hop aspects can be separated from the malt but then as the beer stays in the mouth longer the huskier and breadier aspects of the malt reappear. In the finish I get nice husky and light tobacco finish and the malts come strong and hard. Long and dry finish.

D: Incredibly well balanced, wonderfully complex taste and mouthfeel. A very very nice surprise and a wonderful representation of the style, I don't give it a 5 because of the appearance and the fact I haven't had enough beers in this style to truly be certain it earned a five, but damn if it does not come close. Also after drinking this I noticed it was past it's best by date, so I can't imagine how much better this one tastes fresh.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2008 03:54:04 | More by bluemoonswoon

marcpal

New Jersey

3.35/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Monkeyknife for sending along. 12oz bottle poured into fancy Sam glass.

A: Very frothy head on the pour, crimson red color with good retention and lacing. Good looking pour.

S: Malt and chocolate aroma. Some fruity hops.

T: Bready and malty and not as much hops as were in the nose. I found this to be a little bit bland in flavor for a GI brew. Caramel and hop balance are there though.

M: A little too much carbonation and again lacking in the hopfeel that I was hoping for from the aroma.

D: Very drinkable and sessionable. It can become a bit dull but this is one that would be a good drinker on tap if it were available around here.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2008 00:52:15 | More by marcpal

jar2574

Missouri

2.95/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Amber, red color, not a very appealing head. Head dissipates far too quickly. Light, honey scent. Pretty weak.
Plain Jane taste, nothing to brag about here. No hops, I guess what taste there is, is malts and sweetness.
Boring. I have to give this a thumbs down. It's not offensive, but there's no reason to have another.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2008 22:07:02 | More by jar2574

Atch

Wisconsin

3.15/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Reddish orange color, one finger head, nice carbonation and very clear.

Smell: Smells of sweet malts, floral hops.

Taste: Dry, nice balance of flavors.

Mouthfeel: On the lighter side. A little thin but it tastes good.

Drinkability: Very easy to drink. Good session beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2008 21:12:28 | More by Atch

botham

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a nonic. pours a copper like amber color with a finger of light orangish tan head to top it off.

aroma is malty, with caramel malts mainly, but a touch of roasted malts as well, alongside an earthy-bready character that makes the irish reds great. overall sweet in the aroma, but with a light hop character in the background.

taste is malty as well, with caramel malts prevailing over notes of the same earthy breadlike character. an aftertaste of lingering caramel and bread makes this one a solid irish red.

mouthfeel is medium bodied with a creamy texture and a smooth and semi dry finish.

drinkability is good. this is a smooth and drinkable brew that represents the style well. cheers!

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2008 01:51:01 | More by botham

pmcadamis

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I had this at the new Lakeside Grill restaurant on Toronto Road.

A - Deep amber brew with a solid finger of khaki foam that shows pretty nice retention and leaves a little bit of sticky lace on the glass.

S - Big time grapefruit hops and caramel malty notes. Smells really fresh and fruity.

T - Citrus fruit, caramel malt, lightly toasty flavors, and loads of hops. This actually reminds me of Fat Tire, but better.

M - Medium-light in body with a good deal of carbonation and an off-dry finish. Very thirst quenching and refreshing.

D - One hell of a session brew. Like an amber ale should be, this is far from complex but it is really fresh and tasty. The tart fruit hops and off-dry finish make this a great beer to have with food.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2008 19:16:51 | More by pmcadamis

shroompod

Ohio

4.08/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours with a nice brown hue , good carbonation , some lacing.

Smell is faintly caramelized malt , faint hops.

Nice combo of sweetness on slight hoppiness on tasting beer.

Mouthfeel is medium , good carbonation.

Although it's a little high in ABV, it's seems suitable for a session beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2008 01:00:20 | More by shroompod

1fastz28

Illinois

3.2/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

pours a really unique light amber color without a lot of head, and some average lacing. smell is pretty good, has a sugary malty aroma to it, but not alot of hop in the nose. the taste is ok, not bad, not good, just average tastes like your average red ale. mouthfeel is decent so is drinkability. give it a shot if you are a fan of lighter ales

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2008 03:39:00 | More by 1fastz28

DrainBamage

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +22%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours a cloudy tea-like color with a thin lace of head and looks moderately carbonated. It smells sweet with some toasted malt aromas. The toasted malts are definitely prominent in the taste. The hops and sweetness are well balanced and there is a slight bitter aftertaste. I really enjoyed this beer and is now my favorite Goose Island brew after Christmas Ale.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2007 21:23:32 | More by DrainBamage

ViveLaChouffe

Georgia

3.75/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

More from my trips out west this summer:

I was curious to see Goose Islands take on an Irish Red. I am a fan of their Honkers Ale and IPA but this beer should be malt focused, not on the hops. Hmmmm....

Pours more of a deep orangish-copper than red. Topped by a wispy ivory colored head. Smells of fruity english type of malt. Bready aromas and british hops. Sweetish malt smells.

This beer is fruity and spicy in the mouth. There's light but distinct dark roasted malt flavors. A quite bready malt profile and decent balancing hops in the finish. Sweetish mouth but not overly done. Quite a nice and drinkable brew.

Does Goose Island make a bad beer? This is not even a style I am particularly fond of but the guys at Goose Island do it up right. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2007 20:11:49 | More by ViveLaChouffe

balconybrew

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served at the Wrigleyville brew pub. Posted from notes.

Served lighter then expected. An orange-ish red liquid with a white head that lingered. The hop aroma was floral and stonger than expected. The flavor is slightly roasted malt with a little pine and hops. Ended sweeter than expected. The mouthfeel was fine and the carbonation was within style. Very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

09-05-2007 00:25:22 | More by balconybrew

zeff80

Missouri

3.53/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a reddish/brown color with a foamy, off-white, one-finger head that left some lace.

S - It smelled of malt and yeast. There was also a slight hop nose.

T - It tasted of a burnt toast-like malt. It has a good dose of bitter maltiness.

M - It was crisp and smooth on the tongue. A light to medium-bodied beer.

D - This is an okay red ale. It has a good kick of bitterness and would certainly be a good session beer on St. Patty's day.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2007 18:55:55 | More by zeff80

xav33

Michigan

3.73/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Goose Island Kilgubbin Red Ale
12 oz bottle
Moderate pour in an English pint
Brewed spring 07, consumed 06/07

Poured a clear amber with a moderate somewhat diminishing eggshell white fizzy head.

Smelt of moderate toasted malt, toffee and grassy perfumey hops.

Flavor was upfront moderate to strong bitter toasted malt and grassy hops and light sweet toffee followed by more of the some, but a bit stronger on an average finish.

Palate was light to medium bodied, lively carbonated, watery and lightly astringent.

Overall, another great Goose product. Easy to drink and keeps the taste buds happy.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2007 05:31:22 | More by xav33

uwmgdman

Wisconsin

4.53/5  rDev +22.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This Irish Red pours a clear reddish-amber into my pint glass with a thin white head. The aroma is moderately roasty and chocolately, a bit of a surprise given the color, which I enjoy. The flavor has a low roasted quality with a moderate hop bitterness and a little hop flavor toward the swallow. The finish is crisp and dry, with just a touch of roasted grain lingering on the tongue, leaving me wanting the next sip. The carbonation is moderate and body/mouthfeel is medium. Overall I was surprised by this beer in a few ways; a more pronounced roasty/chocolate flavor/aroma than I expected and a nice crisp, dry finish. I would highly recommend this brew. It’s a damn shame I only have one bottle, it's damn tasty and I could drink this all night.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2007 02:04:02 | More by uwmgdman

hckyfn9999

Missouri

3.83/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a deep reddish brown color. Thick white colored head with decent retention and leaves some lace. Aroma is of toasted malt, burnt sugar, floral and citrus hops, and a touch of chocolate. Taste features some nice biscuity malt, a bit of caramel sweetness, a bit of spicyness, and some bitter hops balance this beer out towards the finish. Pretty good red from Goose Island.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2007 02:31:09 | More by hckyfn9999

malcontent

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Color of strong iced tea with a good finger of head. Subsequent lacing leaves a little to be desired, however.

Surprising stout-like characteristics in the nose; deep roasted malt with hints of chocolate (huh?) and nuttiness with a hint of peat.

Same nuttiness detected above with roasted undertones and a gentle caramel sweetness.

Solid seasonal offering from GI and a job well done for a style usually lacking panache. Totally drinkable and one I'll seek out again next year.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2007 14:10:26 | More by malcontent

skizziks

Kentucky

3.58/5  rDev -3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz. bottle into a nonic. 1/4" tan head leaves little lace over a clear, very deep copper beer.

Aroma is strongly of toast and caramel with some slight roast character.

Flavor is bready with caramel and roast. Pretty simple and clean. Dry finish with some lingering caramel.

Medium to full body is slightly sticky but still a very easy drinker. Very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2007 22:06:43 | More by skizziks

GbVDave

Illinois

4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a 16oz pint glass at Goose Island-Clybourn 4/18/07. Thanks to HeatherAnn for the assist!

A: Very clear, deep red hue that leaves tons of lace as the glass is emptied. Pretty to look at.

S: Huge toasted malt nose. Spicy tang from the rye.

T: Toasted malt, hops, and spicy rye malt flavors. Dry, sweet, and tangy. Roasty and toasted malt flavors definitely dominate.

M: Oily, coating, and very dry. Graininess on the tongue.

D: Fair out of the bottle but this one comes alive on draft. Worth a re-try on draft if you've only had it from the bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2007 01:54:54 | More by GbVDave

Illini5596

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev +3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours a deep blood red, with no head. I'm having bad luck with head from the Goose Island brews lately for some reason.

Smells almost smoky with hints of sweetness. Kind of strange for a beer but actually very nice.

The taste is a real treat, begins very spicy and effervescent cripsness this slowly yields to a full rich coffee flavor, while retaining a lot of the spice. Finishes with notes of wood and an almost creamy smoothness.

Overall a pretty good beer, Irish Reds aren't my favorite, but this was a damn fine ale. Good session beer and ultimately very drinkable. Probably a good one to cut your teeth on if you're just getting into craft beers.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2007 04:58:06 | More by Illini5596

bozebus17

Michigan

3.33/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours an opaque orange-red color. There is a very thin bright-white head that lasts for the entire glass.

The scent is almost all malt. There are sweet notes and a bit of fresh grain.

The flavor is nearly the same as the scent. This is almost all malt. There is a definate taste of roasted malt and all of the sweetness that was in the aroma. This beer leaves a warm sensation in the mouth and throat. It goes down about as easy as anything else.

All in all this beer is about what I've come to expect from Goose Island; a solid yet not outstanding brew. Goose Island is widely available and affordable. These things make it very good to keep around the fridge as an everyday beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2007 02:11:19 | More by bozebus17

emerge077

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Sampled on-tap at Goose Island Clybourn.

Pint arrives with a creamy foam head that laces the glass. Nice red tone, good clarity. Smells pleasant, mostly malty.

Mild maltiness in the taste, hint of puffed wheat/rice cereal, spicy rye & mild hop on the tail end. Smooth and easy drinking, a good session candidate.

Not a bad local alternative to the dominant macro taps in Chitown.

Kilgubbin is the original Irish name for the Goose Island area in Chicago, named by local Irish immigrants at the time.

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2007 14:10:07 | More by emerge077

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

3.98/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I really enjoyed this beer with some spicy cajun shrimp. It poured a dark red withs some brown hue. Some hints od spcies and malts in the nose with some hops. Very good spiciness to the beer and some hints of chocolate as well with nice bitterness from the hops. Overall a nice not overly carbonated ale. The spiciness gives it a nice refreshing finish. Good pick!

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2007 01:16:26 | More by JoEBoBpr

BretSikkink

Mexico

3.58/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Predominantly Irish neighborhood brewery makes an Irish red, names it after another old Irish neighborhood.

Brownish but light notes..looks hazy at angles. Very little head, fine lacing trickles down the glass.

Fine flavor, a little tipped toward the malts but what can you do with the style? Nice and crisp, quite tasty, breadiness and a little roasted flavor with the dominant ingredient, the hops aren't totally shut out as they peak through with a little citric burst and some dryness in the mouth.

Very drinkable, nothing off, challenging, etc. Only fault is a lack of complexity, but it's one of the best red ales I've had. Beats the hell out of green swill on St. Patrick's Day.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2007 04:20:58 | More by BretSikkink

BMoney575

Michigan

3.43/5  rDev -7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Sampled on 3-12-07
Best before 7-2-07

Pours a deep red/brown, with no real head to speak of.

Smells good; woody, malty, earthy, with sweet smoky undertones.

Tastes a lot like the smell, malty with a definite Irish character.

Mouthfeel is decent, good carbonation.

Drinkability is alright, I'm not a huge fan of the style so one is good enough for me.

Overall a solid beer. Nothing too extreme, nothing to rave about.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2007 21:02:26 | More by BMoney575

MrMcGibblets

Illinois

3.3/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

this stuff is on tap everywhere in chicagoland these days, and sadly it is oftentimes the best alternative around here. pours a deep red, almost brown with nice clarity, nose is very subtle with some caramel and bready/doughy notes coming through, taste reflects the bouqet, light, almost thin malts playing against almost imperceptible hops but with enough bitterness to balance the very slight residual sugars. finish is short. drinkability nice due to the low abv.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2007 19:14:10 | More by MrMcGibblets