Matilda - Goose Island Beer Co.

Cbus_Brew_Master

Ohio

4.7/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

First keg I bought on my dual kegerator. Great beer!!! Loved the hints of spice and very refreshing. Lighter than I would have expected with a great after taste. It can pack a punch so dont go slamming them down as quickly as you pour them. I will have to revisit this beer again at some point. I highly recommend it to anyone.

Serving type: on-tap

06-19-2013 21:44:04 | More by Cbus_Brew_Master

CardiacNP

Louisiana

4.64/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Aroma grass, citrus, herbs,

Appearance. golden, clear, With a nice white head and decent lacing Taste.

A mild malty and medium spice beer Palate.

Nice smooth mouth feel, moderately carbonated with a mild spicy hop finish

Overall. A very nice American Brewed Belgian style ale. A very drinkable beer. Hope to drink again!

Serving type: on-tap

04-24-2013 02:10:57 | More by CardiacNP

CZs

Maryland

4.33/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: Poured into 8oz tulip glass. Unique warm orange/amber color. Medium carbonation.

Smell: Reminds me of a Belgian amber. I would like to sit this side by side with a Rare Vos and compare notes. I get a little Saison like farmhouse smell mixed in there with bready, slight bubble gum notes. Very pleasant to the nose. Not one aroma stands out - but it presents a "huh, I get a nice blend of numerous things." I think this separates what Belgian breweries produce v. what some U.S. breweries try to attempt - Complexity v. one predominant aroma and/or flavor. Neither is wrong, but having that complexity is what puts this right in the same league as the originals.

Taste: For me, it tastes like it smells - only I get a D-45 like taste in the background I didn't get in the smell. Without researching, I'd almost say they used 3-5% of Special B in here. Excellent, easy drinking taste. The appearance is a little deceiving - goes down more easily than an Amber style - they got a pale with a touch of amber, orange style Saison although slightly lower carbonation in my opinion.

Mouthfeel: I get dry, I get silky - a not often found combination outside of water infused with silica or ginger ale.

Overall: Goose Island Beer Co. is becoming my close second in terms of favorite American breweries next to Ommegang. I've had their Nut Brown, Pepe Nero, Sophie and now Matilda - all of which I "really like to love." If you aren't familiar with their brews, I suggest trying them out - very diverse selection for those that enjoy a wide spectrum of brews.

Serving type: on-tap

04-21-2013 16:11:46 | More by CZs

Stevedore

Wisconsin

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

On-tap at New Deck Tavern in West Philadelphia, 4/8/2013, into a wine glass.

Aroma: Smells like Belgian yeast for sure. Spice, banana, clove, and some sweet fruit, perhaps apples but there may be a little bit of orange or lemon zest in there. Very nice smelling nose that is faithful to the Belgian style. (5)

Colour: Slightly hazy amber body with a nice, fluffy 1cm white head that dissipates quickly leaving a thin white film and a likewise thin collar. Lacing is excellent. A beer that looks very appetizing, with the carbonation coming out well. (4)

Flavour: I taste some combination of tart apple and bitter orange throughout, with a non-cloying malt sweetness that is very complementary to everything else. There are a good bit of spices, clove and banana in the back end. Best way for me to describe the flavour is that it's like a Hefeweizen (that aspect is probably from the yeast) combined with some sort of fruit ale like a Serendipity. I really liked quaffing this one. (4)

Mouthfeel: An exceptionally smooth, well-carbonated medium-thinner side bodied brew that leaves a somewhat dry finish. It's refreshing, and the aftertaste is pretty similar to a good Hefeweizen- spices, banana, a little bit of clove that makes itself recognizable but disappears after a comfortably short amount of time. (4)

Overall: This is a very refreshing Belgian pale ale that makes me think I'm drinking a Hefeweizen at times, and a faintly fruity ale at other times. I didn't have high expectations for this one, but since my old boss ordered and paid for a round of this one, I got it and was very pleased with it. Definitely a great spring/summer beer to have, and not terribly overpriced either. (4)

Serving type: on-tap

04-09-2013 23:48:35 | More by Stevedore

barczar

Kentucky

3.91/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Pours a clear medium golden with a frothy half inch whitish head that dissipates into a ring of foam at the rim.

Floral notes mix with fruity esters and confectioners sugar to form the initial aroma. Banana esters complement the floral character, accented by soft citrus.

Flavor reveals deep belgian yeast ester character. Citrus notes of tangerine and orange accompany peach, pear, banana, apple, and sweet tart esters against a backbone of fairly bready, lightly toasted malt. The finish is floral and has a slight earthy bitterness that intensifies as it warms. Plasticy phenols surface in the aftertaste, along with a musty character.

Body is moderate, with carbonation a touch on the high side.

Lots of fruity, estery goodness and good yeast complexity. Malt and hops support well, but the yeast is the star. Phenols were a bit offputting.

Serving type: on-tap

03-26-2013 23:41:00 | More by barczar

Premo88

Texas

3.79/5  rDev -6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 3.75

On tap at the Hay Merchant in Houston ...
13 oz. poured into tulip glass.

L: crystal clear amber with great-looking 1 1/4-inch head that seemed to dissipate fast. Not much lacing.

S: a little hefeweizen-like; muted wine smell ... yes ... esters. similar to Rochefort 8 without the raisins. again: fruit.

T: bit of bite from hops muted by ester/hefeweizen-like estery taste. bananas?

F: perfect carbonation.

O: despite the ester taste, I expected slightly sweeter finish. pretty dry. the muted wine taste/smell seemed different ... not terrible by any means.

I need to try this one again. As a proud American, I want to give my patriotic best to try our versions of all beers, including the Belgians. And this certainly reminded me of Duvel, which is on point for the style, obviously.

(note on lacing: Is it possible that a glass is so clean and waxxy smooth that it doesn't allow for much clinging of the foam, i.e., the foam slides back down into the water and nothing will stick to the glass? I'd swear that was what was happening at the Hay Merchant)

Serving type: on-tap

03-16-2013 07:11:29 | More by Premo88

dar482

New York

3.39/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

One of first Belgian ales that I have had in a while. It appears light, a bit cloudy, and yellow. The taste is a bit flat. It has a good biscuity malt flavor with a slight sweet taste. The mouth feel is silky, but it is light and drops off a bit fast. Watery almost.

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2013 23:30:17 | More by dar482

fatmusic14

Colorado

4.1/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

served on tap at Falling Rock tap house on 12/27.

A - pours a beautiful orange/red - autumnal in nature. Color is soft and inviting.

S - Smells strongly of fall and raisins, some hints of honey and a slight hint of the sharpness from carmelized sugar. Floral.

T - tastes like honey and earth. Notes of an appetizer, tons of flavors. Sweet and bitter, put together very well.

M - no head, no lacing. Perfect for the drink.

O - a real treat.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2012 23:07:02 | More by fatmusic14

One2Remeber

Florida

4.28/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Goose Island.

A: Bright amber body with a faint yellow hue. Thin lacing of white head. Crystal clear.

S: Bready malts make me smile as a hint of funk sweeps the aroma away.

T/M: Fruity as could be for a non-fruit beer. Hint of soapy Belgian yeast. As balanced as they come. Biscuity, baked good notes from malts, subtle hops and yeast are pronounced making it very enjoyable. Drinkability of a pale ale with complex sipping flavors of a higher alcohol beverage. Hint of a bubbly wine characteristic with a soft sherry characteristic.

O: First beer from Goose Island and extremely satisfied. Perfect beer for the cooler months to help warm up while sipping.

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2012 21:48:27 | More by One2Remeber

BrownAleMale

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap poured into a Goose Island chalice glass.

Appearance- Golden in color with some minimal off white head.

Smell- Lots of bready goodness with some different malt varieties.

Taste- Follows the nose to a t. Super rich and malty.

Mouthfeel- Definitly on the heavier side. Like eating ri h buttery bread.

Overall- Very excellently malted belgian. A little on the heavy side compared to other Belgians.

Serving type: on-tap

11-03-2012 23:44:37 | More by BrownAleMale

OneDropSoup

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this at House of 1000 Beers in New Kensington, PA.

Poured into a stemmed tulip: Amber body with rusty orange highlights & half-a-finger of head that dissipates quickly.

A lot of pineapple in the smell, a little honey, some bread crust, apple.

Taste is cidery, with pineapple, honey, a little booze for balance, ends dry. A little more berry flavors open up (strawberry, blueberry).

Medium-bodied, starts sweet but turns dry, nicely effervescent.

Nice overall. Was maybe expecting more brett character, but there was a good fruit profile that was kind of surprising.

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2012 12:02:09 | More by OneDropSoup

TheRealBigC

Nevada

3.95/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a pretty clean, deep orange. Decent head, bubbly. Smell is a little yeasty and sort of fruity. Taste is remarkably clean - a little apple and a little citrus, but it works. Vague hop bitterness to keep the balance. Smooth, oily feel makes it all the more easy to drink. It's not a beer that will blow your mind, but it's remarkably drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

09-17-2012 04:05:45 | More by TheRealBigC

oldirtycaffrey

Virginia

3.8/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a medium copper color with a slight foamy head. Smell is sweet & slightly hoppy. Taste is sweet as well with a smooth creaminess. I tasted a hint of honey as well. Very easy to drink considering the 7.00% ABV. Perfect medium-bodied brew. Paired well with a monte cristo sandwich.

Serving type: on-tap

09-14-2012 01:51:56 | More by oldirtycaffrey

paleoplant

New York

4.43/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had this beer on tap at a local restaurant and I instantly enjoyed the smell. It has a rich, fruity smell that makes you want to drink the beer.

My first taste of the beer was nice. It is rich, with a robust flavor. I truly enjoyed each sip, with a slight change as I approached the end of the glass.

Mouthfeel was nice and good carbonation. The color is a light amber color and beautful.

I will be drinking this again.

Serving type: on-tap

08-27-2012 15:57:20 | More by paleoplant

GeckoPunk

Connecticut

3.8/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours hazy orange with two fingers of light tan head. Head has nice retention.

S - Banana, cloves, yeast, a bit of sweetness and some lemony tartness.

T - Nice hops up front, with a big bready yeast character, followed by cloves, some mild funk, a bit of banana and lemon. Really enjoyable.

M - Nice creamy medium mouthfeel with a good carbonation level. Slight lingering bitterness on the finish.

O - Very nicely balanced flavors and great mouthfeel make this a very enjoyable Belgian pale. Certainly a very complex beer. This beer is good for those who like a challenge dissecting the ingredients in their beer.

Serving type: on-tap

08-12-2012 13:02:52 | More by GeckoPunk

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

A-dark orange with a thin white head

S-orange and boozy and sugary pale Belgian malts. Way too sweet. 

T-comes in with a spicy orange taste with faint pale Belgian Malts. Not very flavorful or complex. Very citrusy after-taste. 

M-medium carbonation with dry finish. 

O-not as easy of a drinking beer that I was hoping. It definitely doesn't taste anything like a true Belgian and its much too syrupy and boozy for the low abv

Serving type: on-tap

07-17-2012 16:18:06 | More by AdamBear

tobelerone

New Jersey

3.6/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Top Hops, NYC.

A dark copper colored beer with a smallish cream colored head and decent lacing. A bit darker than I expected for the style. Nose is full of Belgian yeast esters and candi sugar; bubblegum practically jumps out and smacks you in the face.

The flavor is also definitely on the sweeter side for this style, with prominent bubblegum, banana, cloves and peppery notes. All that yeast makes for an interesting brew but ultimately things get a little one-sided and lack complexity; it’s all fruit, gum, banana, and sweetness. Little in the way of balancing bitterness or anything to offset the yeast and candi sugar.

Medium bodied with moderate, smooth carbonation and a decently creamy mouthfeel. Left me feeling decidedly uninspired and feeling like this could have been a whole lot more interesting if the overall sweetness was dialed back and some of the spices and peppery notes could emerge more instead of getting trampled.

Mu understanding is that in this recent iteration the bubblegum flavor is stronger than in other vintages. I'd like to try an older bottle sometime to see if it's a bit more balanced and nuanced.

Serving type: on-tap

06-15-2012 14:20:48 | More by tobelerone

FreshHawk

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Slightly hazy, very light orange with a creamy, smooth, frothy, white head. Nice retention leaving a nice lacing behind.

S - Sweet, light malt (some sugar, honey, and bready malt). An enjoyable slightly tart funk that compliments the sweetness. Hints of orchard fruit.

T - Again, there is a wonderful play between the sweetness of the malt (and also the orchard fruit and a subtle berry flavor) and the slightly tart funk. Not exactly barnyard, but there is a musty country orchard kind of flavor with some freshly cut grass/hay. Some yeast and subtle spices in the back but nothing too strong (especially the spices).

M - Medium body. Lower than average carbonation but enough to have a bit of a zesty feel.

D - The play between the subtle funk and the sweetness keeps me wanting to drink more. Goes down easy and it keeps me wanting more.

Notes: Really well done BSPA. Reminds me a lot of a country orchard (fruit, must, hay/grass). Sweetness is a strong suit, but the tart/funk is well integrated with the maltiness. Yeast and spices are there but not that strong, especially for the style.

Serving type: on-tap

05-23-2012 22:57:30 | More by FreshHawk

Durge

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

At the O’Hare pub at terminal "C" this Belgian ale shows a beautiful copperish-amber color with a delicate white cap and decent lacing. The aroma is classic Belgian clove blended nicely with floral hops and a touch of nutty biscuit. Very nice. The flavor brings banana-clove and more nutty biscuit and flowery-citrus. Just a wisp of alcohol and wheat. Medium body with a somewhat viscous, but spritzy feel with tiny carbonation. This is a very enjoyable brew with plenty of hutzpah!

Serving type: on-tap

04-13-2012 02:17:13 | More by Durge

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.1/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

a fantastic american made belgian ale. pours hazy copper colored with a lively 2 inch head. smells a lot like a sour, with a funky sort of belgian yeast. flavor features the yeast and all kinds of balanced othe flavors. its fruity, malty, and refreshing all at once. the feel is perfectly approproate as well. highly carbonated and just medium on the body makes this beer very easy drinking despite its complexity and depth. the finish is quick and only the gentle but distinct yeast notes remain on the tongue. i was really surprised by how much i liked this beer, and im eagerly looking forward to my next. superb

Serving type: on-tap

04-12-2012 18:12:41 | More by StonedTrippin

PicoPapa

Connecticut

3.78/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap. Pours a semi hazy dark amber with 2 inches of frothy head. Lots of lacing. Aromas of apple, grapes, yeast and orange peel. Crisp and smooth. Taste mirrors the aromas. Grapes, apple, and yeast. The aroma was alot stronger than the taste. I thought it would be more harsh than it was. Creamy mouthfeel. Overall, very drinkable and worth having again.

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2012 18:47:12 | More by PicoPapa

VaTechHopHead

California

4.1/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Hazy blood orange color with minimal head. A little carbonation is visible.

S - Beautiful Belgian aroma and the brettanomyces does a great job giving off funk aromas. Almost smells as if it was aged in white wine barrels. Nice citrus smell as well from the light hopping and yeast. Very pleasing and inviting.

T - Follows the aroma and the brett is the driving factor in the flavor. Soft wood notes at the beginning quickly followed by a juicy citrus/orange flavor. The aftertaste reminds me of spicy cider at xmas time with a nice peppery finish and sparkling fruit notes. Very flavorful.

M/O - Medium body that is carbonated very well. Possibly a little light for the style. The flavors are light and balanced incredibly well. The brett does a great job mellowing out this beer and giving it extra depth. One of my favorite goose island beers for sure.

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2012 02:02:50 | More by VaTechHopHead

BeerImmediately

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Welcome to Philly, Goose Island!

Poured with a booming, rich, cream colored head over a thick orange body. Tons of sticky lacing.

Aromas are malty / bready.

Very creamy and rich on the palate. Flavors are full of rich bread/yeast, with dark fruits, clove, and a kiss of orange peel. Mouthfeel is quite smooth with a low carbonation - not very representative of the listed style, but enjoyable, IMO.

Great beer, and glad to have them out here (finally!)

Serving type: on-tap

03-09-2012 19:11:06 | More by BeerImmediately

notchucknorris

California

3.7/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at O'Brien's

A: Coppery golden color with a really nice tan head. Looks great.

S: Faint citrus and lemon peel with a touch of pale malt. Slight funk detectable in the background.

T: Follows the smell pretty well. Subtle notes of citrus and earthiness with a slight creaminess lended to it from the yeast. Overall pretty nice.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2012 19:09:01 | More by notchucknorris

Ralphs66

New York

4.03/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at Three Monkeys on 54th street. Nice tap selection and after choosing something else initially, I spotted this and changed my mind. I wasn't familiar with Matilda (and didn't look it up), so when it was served, I took one sniff and said "nice, an American Wild Ale, my favorite". I passed it around and explained to the folks I was with what a wild ale is. Then I came to review it. Belgian Strong? Bottles infected? Maybe a keg or two as well...For a Wild Ale, it's actually spectacular. Had a great funky smell, but not overpowering. Some nice citrus and pineapple notes. A unique creaminess that combined nicely with the tartness. I ended up drinking three of these I was enjoying it so much. For a Belgian Strong, I'm not sure it even fits the profile, but again, the infected issue is what I'm suspecting.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2012 12:36:19 | More by Ralphs66