Matilda - Goose Island Beer Co.

EPseja

New Jersey

4.72/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Thanks to Ego for hooking me up with this bottle.

Served from a 12oz. bottle in a Duvel tulip glass at cellar temperature.

A - Crazy activity in the bottle as soon as the cap is popped... almost overflows! Into the glass it goes. Huge ivory head rises instantly above the slightly-hazed, glowing sunset-orange body, coming to a halt at two full inches. Marshmallowy and dense. Begins to subside, but not without leaving behind thick clumps of lacy residue, leaving its high-tide mark. Head levels out at an island rising high above the film that obscures the beer. Very appetizing indeed!

S - Unmistakable Belgian fruity tartness along with a less pronounced candy malt nuance. Granny smith apples. Tangerines. Key limes. Very fresh. But there's something else as well... something funky, but not your typical Belgian funk. Perhaps a touch of Geuze-ish sourness? Interesting to say the least!

T - A touch of fresh green hay greets the palette upon sipping, leading to a reound and sweet light malty middle. At the back of the tongue, the fantastically unqiue yeast makes an entrance, and a crisp hoppiness manages to balance it very nicely. The finish brings about another dose of sweetness masquerading as candied fruit. The aftertaste leaves the mouth dry and yearning for another sip. Excellent balance overall. [Edit 07-21-2006: This beer achieves what I believe to be the ultimate balance of sweet and dry. Bumped to a 5.0 from a 4.5.]

M - Near perfect carbonation, swelling so nicely in the mouth. Tingly on the tongue, and gliding down the back of the throat like a spoonful of Cool Whip.

D - This is a very nice addition to Goose Island's "Special Beer" series as I'll call it. Super drinkable and very enjoyable -- just look at the numbers! I think I'll quit gushing about the beer now and get to enjoying the rest of it. [Edit 07-21-2006: This beer has become a favorite of mine in the style and a pleasure to savor. Bumped to a 5.0 from a 4.5.]

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2006 01:41:13 | More by EPseja

Joeynocturnum

New Jersey

4.72/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

2008 vintage Matilda, recieved in a trade from beersis. This beer blew me off the couch. And I am hoping that I can get more.

A- Orange/Red cloudy Hue.

S- Probably the least distinguishable characteristic of this brew. Slight smell of alcohol and yeast.

T-Taste is unreal. One of my favorite Belgian style brews not from Belgium. Definitely taste the yeast and some fruity overtones.

M- Right amount of carbonation, great mouth feel.

D- Great session beer, could drink it all day. May walk to the brewery to get some right now.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2010 02:39:25 | More by Joeynocturnum

BrewCrew2010

New York

4.72/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A: A clear copper-orange like color with a very minimal head and visable carbonation. The head is about 1/2 finger, creamy in texture, and disappears to just a pin stripe around the glass leaving no lace.

S: First thought that came to mind is the Belgian yeast with a slight hop aroma balanced with some fruits (apple & pear) and spices (cinnamon & clove). As it warms up you smell less clove and more yeast.

T: A wonderful and complex flavor of clove, honey, apples, and Belgian yeast. A perfect balance between the hops and malts resulting in a great beginning, middle, and end. Finishes dry and warm. As it warms up, you taste less yeast and more spices.

M: A medium body with lively carbonation and juicy texture.

D: I wish they sold these near us. Absolutely wonderful and easy to drink. One of the best Belgian Strong Pale Ales I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2010 00:19:51 | More by BrewCrew2010

generallee

New York

4.72/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: It was poured from a brown 12oz bottle into a tulip glass. The label has the year (2009) and a "Bottled On" date of 09/18/09. The ABV is listed as 7%. They mention "Belgian Style Ale" on the label but don't say which Belgian style it is.

Appearance: The body has warm reddish orange amber color with a cloudy haze. A thick and tall off white head caps off the beer and makes some nice lacing on the glass.

Smell: In the nose I pick up lots of good things. There are notes of spicy and medicinal phenols with tropical fruit, yeast and sweet honey like malt. It also has a light touch of funky earthy hops.

Taste/Palate: On the tongue there is a tasty mix of all the spicy/medicinal and yeast notes with some tropical fruit and honey sweetness. The funky and sweet notes are tempered with a good balance of earthy dry hop spice and bitterness. With its medium to full body I get a slightly different mix of flavor notes each time. The texture is kind of smooth and dry with a nice level of carbonation.

Notes: This is an absolutely wonderful and complex Belgian Style Ale.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2010 15:57:04 | More by generallee

philbe311

Pennsylvania

4.72/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

2010 Version - Dated 04/01/10 (possibly infected) - Poured into a Chimay Chalice...

A - A fingers worth of off white colored head that is light, airy, tightly packed, and slightly creamy... Minimal retention gives way to a very delicate and inviting veil of lacing that is slightly thicker in the center of the glass... The color is a orangish honey amber color... Some small bubbled moderated paced carbonation can be seen under close examination...

S - Sweet fruit... Dried apricot... Overly ripened peach... Fig... Golden raisins... Some candied sugars... Belgian yeast...

T - Belgian yeast strains... Pear... Apple... Apricot... Golden raisins... Some faint candied sugars... A very subtle spiciness... A slightly tart tangy sour finish... Some band aid notes as well...

M - Medium bodied... Starts with a nice lush quality... Perfect carbonation... Slightly invigorating... Semi dry finish...

D - What a beer... This may be an infected bottle, but its stellar... I would drink this over and over and over again... Possibly the best American made Belgian style ale that I've ever had...

Note - I'm not sure if this is an infected bottle or not... The date code matches the recall, but the sour notes are so subtle that I'm not quite sure... I will be exploring another batch shortly to compare and I will update my review at that time if necessary... I can now confirm this was an infected bottle...

Below is a review of a regular (read non-infected) bottle of the 2010 version... However, I'm going to leave my ratings for the infected version since it remains one of the best beers I have ever tried...

A - Close to two fingers worth of rich creamy very light khaki colored head... Modest retention gives way to a full even creamier lacing... The color is slightly muted amber... Lightly carbonated... (4)

S - Belgian yeast... Bosc pears... Bubble gum... Some subtle but eloquent spicy notes... (4)

T - Subtle Belgian yeasts... Pear... Light spice notes... Light peppery notes... A very light, but very effective funkiness lies beneath the surface and becomes more potent as this one warms... (4.5)

M - Medium bodied... Slightly dense... A bit of lushness... Some light prickly carbonation... (4)

D - Not quite as epic as the "infected" version, but still a darn tasty brew... One of the best Belgian Strong Pale Ales going... I wish I had this available to me on a regular basis... (4.5)

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2010 03:03:40 | More by philbe311

OStrungT

California

4.7/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours a cloudy orange. The head is white. It fades fast, leaving very few laces.

This beer has a spicy aroma. I smell cloves and orange peel. I also smell some fruit. Apples, cherries, and some lemony citrus aroma.

This beer tastes fruity. I taste some apple. It has a slightly spicy flavor. Just a hint of cloves. This beer is sweet, but definately not too sweet.

This beer is carbonated well. It is very smooth. It leaves a slight fruity aftertaste.

I really like this beer because it is not overbearing at all. The aroma and the flavor are mild, but wonderful. I think this would make an excelent session beer. I wish I could get my hands on more of this stuff. Many thanks to my friend karst for once again supplying me with a winner.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2006 03:50:41 | More by OStrungT

mwilbur

Minnesota

4.7/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Comparision of 2006 to 2007. Both poured from 12 oz bottles into identical snifters.
A: Light yellow-orange, cloudy with some yeast particles. Thick foamy white head that slowly dissipates leaving behind nice lacing. Interstingly, the 2006 version produces more (actually too much more).
S: Light sweet notes of citrus hops with hints of honey and lemon grass. 2006 with heavier, sweeter notes, 2007 with lighter, grassy aroma. Nod to the 2006.
T: 2006--Smooth malt well balanced with hint of hop bite. Rustic honey, grass, and grain notes. Smooth, sweet and nice complexity. 2007--More fresh hop bite. Lemon citrus notes. More grass and grain and less sweet, smooth honey. Again, nod to 2006.
M: 2006--very smooth, coats tongue well, and taste lingers nicely. 2007--Lighter on the tongue, sharper bite, doesn't linger quite as well or as long. I was surprised there was a distinct difference here too.
D: Both very drinkable. ABV well hidden, but does hold back the drinkability a little. Interestingly the nod definitely goes to 2006. Will make a note to check back in 1 yr with the 2007 version to see if the difference was time or recipe related. I'm guessing slight difference in how it was made (I remember the 2006 a year ago and it was not that different than what was found today..the only discernable effect of cellaring was more carbonation...odd). Hats off to the Goose Island Reserve line. I'll be coming back year after year for these.

11/13/09: 2009 vintage. Dark honey color with almost no head. Nice floral, fruit, honey, and good malt-hop balance on the nose. Nice fresh taste and excellent malt-hop balance (somewhere between the 2006 and 2007). Honey, fruit, yeast, and hint of grain. Taste is still exceptional. Still a tremendous brew and nice to compare the vintages and appreciate the differences.

5/24/11: 2009 vs. 2010 comparison. Dark honey color (2009 is a shade darker). Minimal head on 2009. 1 inch white head on 2010. Sweet caramel malt (sweeter, more floral, and more fresh with 2010; darker fruit, toffee with 2009). 2009-Sweet caramel malt, grain, dark fruit, toffee. 2010-Fresh yeast, honey, sweet caramel malt, fruit. 2009-Soft, chewy and smooth feel. 2010-Effervescent, fresh and light feel. Both are extremely drinkable and nice for different reasons (2009 darker, smoother, and more sweet caramel malt; 2010 lighter with pleasant effervescence, more fresh fruit and honey).

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2008 02:01:33 | More by mwilbur

Riccymon

Texas

4.7/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Bottled on date of 07/07/08; "Flavor will continue to develop over five years."

Pours from the bottle a pretty orange-red with a small cap of head that dissipates in a few moments. In the nose is a rich mix of orange and clove with just a hint of alcohol if you really search for it.

Sipping as it warms, I taste a lot of apple cider and grape notes, a light honey sweetness, and an earthy flavor before a slight hop finish. Mouthfeel is buttery-smooth and finishes crisply. Complex and delicious, this is easy to drink with an ABV that won't knock you out.

Overall, a spectacular contribution to the style... more than I hoped for and expected when I found a few dusty four-packs on the grocery store shelf back in Iowa.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2009 19:05:40 | More by Riccymon

twiggamortis420

Texas

4.7/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2006 vintage, this bad boy is nearly 4 years old. 12 oz bottle pours a hazy, dark gold color with a creamy cap of eggshell colored foam. Still is pretty well carbonated and displays average retention and lacing.

Nose is filled with brettomyces and sour, mouth-watering lime peel aromas. Maybe a touch of honey and Ritz crackers, but the wild yeasts have really taken charge in the smell department.

Really has a nice balance of sweet malt and brett-induced leathery barnyard flavors right now. This is the fist pale I have successfully aged more than a year or two. There is even still a nice bit of floral hops in the finish. Not really all that sour, so I am assuming there is no lacto in here. Reminds me of Avery Fifteen, but less brett and a bit more complex and ageable. The ever-so-slight sweetness really contributes alot to the brew. Extremely enjoyable wild ale and I will be looking for some more next time I am in Goose Island territory.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2010 00:53:59 | More by twiggamortis420

Offa

California

4.7/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is the first Goose Island beer I've seen on tap here in California. It was at Toad in the Hole in Santa Rosa, which was doing a Goose Island night. It is an excellent Belgian strong golden ale, one of the absolute best I've had so far.

Lightly hazy pale amber, it has a thin off-white head, creamy and slowly shrinking to a ring and leaving a little weak lace.

Aroma is nice - metallic mineral with lots of grain, yeasty-spicey with hints of banana and fruit, very aromatic, a very good example of the aroma one would expect with this type of beer.

Taste is similar, dryish, slightly on the sweet side with hint of tartness and a light spiciness. It is very smooth with a great feel that is full but lively and zesty, not oily or watery. The flavour is very full with great depth, lots of grain with a honeyish quality, a firm, zesty fruitiness plus rich clove and hints of sweet fresh lettuce or grass in the finish. It has a pleasant, long, fruity-grain aftertaste. It is highly drinkable, nicely balanced, and holds up well with food.

Serving type: on-tap

04-30-2010 04:30:27 | More by Offa

aranheaney

New York

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

Bought this on a hunch, had never had it, but have great respect for the craft of the folks at Goose Island, very glad the hunch paid off...

My 4 pack ( $ 11.99) was produced on 10-21-09 and includes that it is good for up to five years from bottling

A-beautiful, hazy orange, it looks interesting from the first impression

S-very interesting, at first some fruit (maybe apricot), as it warms more caramel and almost a cognac-like hint

T-really nice, the fruit comes through, but there is a superior depth that separates this from most

M-awesome, from start to finish this is clearly not your normal brew

D-while definitely not a session beer, one that I will always keep a few around, excellent to finish off a night with, sort of like a brandy/cognac

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2010 10:36:20 | More by aranheaney

iRoy

New York

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

Wow. High marks across the board, had on tap at Sweetwater in Chicago, IL. Sucks they're getting bought out but I hope and pray that quality is not sacrificed in the process. Pours a ruby red with a very sweet smell. Tastes similar, sweet with a smooth finish. I loved it, mouthfeel isn't too intense as well. I will definitely try this again, I really enjoyed it with my burger.

Serving type: on-tap

04-07-2011 01:51:18 | More by iRoy

MadScientist

New York

4.69/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

A: A deep golden beer with excellent clarity. Pours with a finger of fine to rocky, off-white faom that leave fine lacing on the glass.

S: Lots of floral hops and orange aroma with a some black pepper. There is a moderate amount of bubble gum, barn yard brett aroma in there.

T: Fruity and spicy with a touch of honey-like malt sweetness. There is a moderately-low hops bitterness. Some brett funk. Oranges, peaches and black pepper. The balance is a slightly sweet and the finish is medium.

M: Medium bodied with a strong level of carbonation.

O: Exceptional, everything I want in a Belgian Strong like fruit and black pepper without being all that sweet with a satisfying brett character.

12 oz Bottle, bottled on: 07/26/12

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 23:41:30 | More by MadScientist

RenownedHack

Kentucky

4.69/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

The pour is from a 12 oz. bottle, 2013, and into a large wine glass.

A: This really is a beautiful beer. Holding it up to the light, it is an absolutely gorgeous copper-like amber, catching the light in the most wondrous of ways. Its cloudiness adds to the splendour of the color. Approximately a finger of head, dissipating fairly quickly to a fine film of creamy white, and fantastic lacing throughout, which lingers and sticks to the glass for quite some time.

S: The Belgian-ness of it is a wonderful thing to behold, and it's love at first sniff. Light hops and malts blending in with the Belgian yeast, and quite the fruity current surging in the nose. As others have said, I do definitely sense some orange, some apple. Good stuff.

T: This is what a Belgian should taste like, in my idealized, boozy dream world where all beers taste like I think they should. The hops aren't overwhelming, but are in top form, complimented by quite the supporting cast of characters. Those malts - they are fantastic. And the fruity costars cannot be understated: Apple, orange, and perhaps some light grape-y flavors put in a five star performance. All I can say is, "Encore."

M: Goes down smoothly, the perfect mix of carbonation and medium-bodied excellence. It doesn't overstay its welcome, but it isn't too quickly gone. Very balanced.

O: This is a wonderful beer, and one that I'd recommend to anyone who even hinted at liking a beer, any beer, once. If someone likes beer, this is the kind of thing that they absolutely need to experience. I wasn't expecting it to be as good as it was, I guess is what I'm saying; it far exceeded expectations.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 06:15:15 | More by RenownedHack

cnally

Indiana

4.68/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

you know what I love? when I look at a bottle and see that signature goose island label, with a buncha words and a good beer underneath. just gets me giddy.

this beer pours a MASSIVE head that settles down to a root beer float type appearance, except very white. hazy orange color in the beer. special looking.

yeasty, spicy smell of apple, cherry and grape. very sweet and almost like apple juice.

a complex flavor that comes in waves. initially, big appleapricot fruits, which subside into a slightly grainy & yeasty flavor. then the hops blast through, filling your mouth with a spicy hop, and finally, as that flavor settles down a bit, you gain a taste of malty caramel. I have tasted a few beers in my day, and this is one of those special ones that really has more than one face. or two. actually, it is insane how it flows from flavor profile to flavor profile seamlessly. like four distinct beers in one.

smooth, creamy feel with a slightly sticky consistency.

just a grand beer. understated how good this is. why haven't I tried this before? holy god, it has the best aspects of an IPA, Tripel, Belgian. just so drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2009 03:27:29 | More by cnally

WynnO

Florida

4.68/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Have thus far enjoyed 3 from a six-pack over a year period. I am prompted to write after drinking the most recent one.

A year obviously does wonders for the Matilda.

Being on the light side for this style I found this beer to be a palette powerhouse. I expected to find this BA's top beers for this style list, but it's not there. IMHO it varies too far from the fold to be Belgian Strong Pale Ale...it's a specialty.

I found the appearance nominal but unexceptional (that is not a criticism). The smell was better and worthy of re-examination several times.

The taste was outstanding---interestingly though, it did not excite me a year ago. My first response in identifying would be, it is like a one or two year old Orval in which a crazed monk took it upon himself to throw a bag of spices into the pot after hours.

The balance was mighty fine too. Multiple tones of spice paired wonderfully with caramel malts. It left no bitterness on the back end, either with the first taste or the last.

I sincerely desire to obtain more Matilda, *HOWEVER* the entire brewery's line is likely to be compromised soon due to InBev taking over Goose Island in 2011. They are ramping up production to cover all 50 states from their current 15-state distribution. That surely means moving production elsewhere to satisfy the higher quantities. If past history is a good indicator, then it's GOODBYE GOOSE ISLAND.

Maybe Greg Hall’s urinating in two beer glasses in a Chicago bar is the new adjunct that InBev will use in all their new (and improved) Goose Island varieties. That would be an apropos ending for this brewery. I am happy for the Hall Family in getting a big payout for their hard work; I just wish they had sold it to another company. What a shame.

Get Matilda while you still can and cellar it!

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 03:51:32 | More by WynnO

Blakaeris

Iowa

4.65/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours cloudy apricot with an amazingly thick and creamy head that seems to last forever.

Smell is sweetly fruity. Mouthwatering in it's appeal. Mild spices, notably corriander. There is a good belgianesque bready yeasty aroma.

Taste is unexpectedly dominated by the spices- corriander, pepper, cinnimon, and nutmeg. There is also a musty sourness. Candied fruit and yeasty flavors are still present but play a diminished role as compared to the nose. Finish is rather clean and mildly hopped.

Mouthfeel is light and generous carbonation adds an airy feel.

I enjoyed this beer. I wasn't sure about it at first, but it really grows on you after awhile. I find myself returning to get this beer again and again...

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2006 15:37:22 | More by Blakaeris

akokandy

Illinois

4.65/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Served in a Matilda glass. Kind of in-between a chalice and a wine glass. In between yellow and orange in color with a 1-finger head, which fades fast. Very enticing.

S- Assorted citrus fruits and yeast in the nose. Some floral notes.

T- Extremely delicious. Starts with a citrus flavor from the hops. Orange, lemon, and grapefruit included in the flavor. Nice, yeasty bite on the finish and great, clean, smooth aftertaste. No taste of alcohol, and hops are fruity as opposed to bitter.

M- The beer is somewhat thin and well carbonated.

D- Although it is pretty high in alcohol, I can put a few of these away in a night. It's pretty thin, but has excellent flavor and the carbonation lets it flow right down the hatch. A great beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2009 23:36:09 | More by akokandy

Sam21

Connecticut

4.65/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

22oz bottle into tulip.

Appearance - Amber body with a lively and large white head. Very effervescent and alive. Good head retention with elegant lacing.

Smell - Subtle sweet fruits with some musty earthy hop notes. Nice brett funk layered in there. Really well rounded profile.

Taste - Nicely balanced flavors. Apple and pear combine with the musty rustic flavors coming from the Belgian yeast and brettanomyces to create a very appealing palate of flavor. Light spicy hop presence in the finish.

Mouthfeel - Effervescent. The highly active carbonation lends itself to a pillowy mouthfeel. Dry finish.

Drinkability - A fantastic rustic Belgian pale ale. Definitely a beer I wish I could have on hand more often. The flavors are all completely in check and well rounded.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2010 01:06:39 | More by Sam21

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

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.63/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

12oz bottle obtained via trade with Lewis13 from RB. Thanks for the opportunity... Bottled 030206, according to the label.

Poured into a Rapscallion glass, formed a 3/4" off-white head over the cloudy orangey amber brew. Thick head falls lasts long, with heavy frothy lacing. Even with a careful pour, there's some large chunkies zooming about the glass, which I could probably do without. Aroma is sweet pale malt with ample spiciness tickling the nose. Taste follows the nose's lead nicely. Mouthfeel is creamy and smooth, and drinkability is excellent as well. Nice one here.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2007 00:55:24 | More by ppoitras

blitheringidiot

Pennsylvania

4.63/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

2005 bottle two years old:

Exquisite pour of golden hazed body infused with plumes of carbonation through peppered sediment particles flowing to meet the surface of thick ense khaki headcap glued to the sides of the glass.

Nose is a piquant sugar candy, musty farmhouse funk and hay graciously added by a brett funk sharpness. Deep cream and sugar tea notes.

First swigs: Dry sweet vermouth like bitterness, dry hop delicate sweetness, light tangerine and peach fresh fruit slices. Complexity is exquisite.

Feel is a crisp, ginger ale dry clean finish.

Last swigs: Stunning beer. My number one "Must try" used to be Orval. Now I might shunt that choice over to Matilda. Me want more Matilda!

Beer is good. Happy funky clone beering.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2007 04:02:13 | More by blitheringidiot

mobyfann

Ohio

4.63/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Paid $13.99 for a growler at The Party Source in Bellevue, KY...

The beer pours a clear slighly amber tinted golden base, a medium head with long lasting retention and minimal lacing on the glass. The aroma hints a cafeteria of blends: light hops and lemon, wheat, yeast, malts, with a real sweet finish at the end, very pleasant on the nose.

The taste is full of flavor, first starts easy on the mouth with moderate carbonation, a sweet malt taste to start with a lemony aftertaste and excellent finishing by cleansing the mouth dry. Mouthfeel is perfection and at 7.0% I knew this growler could provide a happy session for one... but hey... don't be greedy and spread the wealth!

Final Thought: What a treat on tap this one is! Goose Island should be proud to call this an American micro brew, this is clearly their best to date!

Serving type: growler

09-12-2008 23:38:08 | More by mobyfann

BaronAndrew

Ohio

4.63/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This brew is beautiful

I have to say one of the best ive ever tasted

beautiful copper color into a stella artois glass

nice head, great lacing

If you don't enjoy this, you dont have a pulse

through North Central Ohio, this is most likely the best beer out there, 50+ a case, ball hard--its worth it, i am a believer

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2009 07:11:15 | More by BaronAndrew

Zymurgo

Idaho

4.63/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Picked this up at Brewer's Haven in Boise.

A - A good pour made it clear for the style without visible yeast particles although some are visible at the bottom of the bottle. A very attractive copper amber color. Little to no head was a bit of a let down.

S - Aroma comes off as a true Belgian pale. Clove, a little banana, some black currant.

T - Taste was excellent! Pleasant and smooth with a flavor profile matching the nose very well. I love the Belgian styles but usually can't drink too much as they come off a little sweet. This masterful brew balances the sweeter flavors together with the alcohol content to make a surprisingly good beer.

M - Even though the head was so low the carbonation level felt where it needed to be.

D - What makes this beer so good is the unconventional drinkability for the style, the is a very well crafted Belgian.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2010 16:22:36 | More by Zymurgo