Harvest Ale - Goose Island Beer Co.

tjsdomer2

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Definitely an expired bottle from at least one fall ago. Thick, dark brown, like caramel syrup. Tons of yeast particles floating around the bottle. Good color, but past its prime. Upon later examination several months later, I love this. Great carbonation without the yeast particles. Big bubbles! Tons of foam as well.

Smell: Great combination of caramel malts and bitter hops. More evenly balanced than Honkers Ale in this sense. A wonderful, simple balance of smells (and taste).

Taste/Mouthfeel: Lots of caramel at first with great hops balance in the finish. Definitely an alcoholic presence in the taste and feel, as well as a peppery bite. Smooth beer that washes any food down well.

Drinkability: Kind of harsh due to the expiration, but a good session beer. My later encounter with this beer was extremely enjoyable.

Overall: Goes well on temperate summer nights as well. Otherwise this is the best fall-themed beer I've tried.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2010 03:46:15 | More by tjsdomer2

hollywood_15063

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

05-22-2013 06:01:35 | More by hollywood_15063

brewcifix

Connecticut

3.25/5  rDev -14.9%

05-21-2013 21:58:54 | More by brewcifix

ackeeper

Illinois

4/5  rDev +4.7%

05-21-2013 01:29:25 | More by ackeeper

InspectorBob

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

05-20-2013 16:21:41 | More by InspectorBob

Slay40

Michigan

3.25/5  rDev -14.9%

05-20-2013 00:39:15 | More by Slay40

Turbo

Minnesota

3.25/5  rDev -14.9%

05-19-2013 22:37:38 | More by Turbo

davesway10

Iowa

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%

05-19-2013 11:47:55 | More by davesway10

touchmeimsac

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%

05-15-2013 13:08:58 | More by touchmeimsac

jborgschulte

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +11.3%

05-12-2013 12:29:55 | More by jborgschulte

cadaugherty

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

05-09-2013 01:00:16 | More by cadaugherty

civicm87

New York

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%

04-16-2013 21:49:45 | More by civicm87

Arsenal0328

Indiana

4/5  rDev +4.7%

04-10-2013 20:55:49 | More by Arsenal0328

billybob

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +11.3%

04-10-2013 14:41:57 | More by billybob

lovindahops

New York

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%

03-31-2013 21:10:32 | More by lovindahops

Whiskeydeez

Kansas

3/5  rDev -21.5%

03-27-2013 14:00:02 | More by Whiskeydeez

Jamison85

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

03-26-2013 05:05:58 | More by Jamison85

BGsWo22

New York

3/5  rDev -21.5%

03-20-2013 23:13:47 | More by BGsWo22

PorterLambic

Florida

3.91/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured somewhat aggressively into a Guinness -style glass. A very nice copper color with a lightly tanned head, initially 1 1/2" before dropping to an even film.
Smell is hop forward as expected but with a solid malty sweetness countering it. A light floral note with some roast, even smokiness, to the malt and a whiff of citrus and wheat round out the olfactory end of things.
Taste is a little less hoppy but otherwise a carbon copy of the nose. The roasted/smoky malt hint, the whiff of wheat, it's all there. Well balanced, too.
The only knock is in the body. A bit watery before developing a seriously sticky coating of the upper palate and back of the tongue. Medium bodied at best, lightly effervescent, slightly drying with a citrusy note in the aftertaste that is quite appealing. Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 01:56:42 | More by PorterLambic

Herky21

Iowa

4/5  rDev +4.7%

03-13-2013 14:15:03 | More by Herky21

dbossman

Nebraska

4/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Copper hue with a steady two-inch head; lacing is fantastic

S: Subtle but pleasant citrus hop presence up front with a bit of earthy floral hops in the back--kind of an Americanized British hop bouquet; toffee and caramel malt undertone

T: Such a balanced beer; great hop profile but not overpowering with a bready slightly sweet malt backbone

F: Creamy and yet sticky; this has a slightly chewy texture that works well

O: A really nice Fall seasonal: malty and yet slightly hoppy and crisp and perfect for the changing of the seasons; yet another dandy by GI

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 01:53:19 | More by dbossman

Shankopotamus

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

03-10-2013 21:20:27 | More by Shankopotamus

Aewachiw

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

03-02-2013 00:47:54 | More by Aewachiw

rmarsch

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +17.8%

03-01-2013 03:42:13 | More by rmarsch

jlindsey

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

02-28-2013 16:20:44 | More by jlindsey