Matilda - Goose Island Beer Co.

skizziks

Kentucky

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

12oz bottle into a Duvel tulip. The beer pours a hazy orangey amber like deep gold honey with a surprisingly small 1" white head which quickly falls to a thin ring of foam. Lacing is minimal.

Aroma is of yeast and alcohol formeost, some faint herbal hops and honey, some apple.

The flavor starts with grain and phenols, some herbal hops and honey. As it warms the flavor starts to really open up getting sweeter, a little tart with green apple flavors rising. The finish is dry and bitter with the bitterness lingering a while.

Carbonation is high, body is medium making this a pretty nicely refreshing beer. Easy to drink but gets some points off for the numbing phenols and obvious alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2006 16:39:02 | More by skizziks

mcallister

Ohio

2.83/5  rDev -29.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Looks almost like an apple cider in the glass. With a good head and some lacing that faded gradually over about five minutes.

Spicey, flowery boquet in the nose. With a hop background hidden by the sweet yeast strain. Nearly smells like flower petals freshly blossomed.

Odd. The flavors are very much what you get in the nose. Flowers all the way but the hops make the sweetness upon entry fade very quickly on the finish. Very yeast driven beer. Not necessarily what I like.

Mouthfeel is okay but not great. The amount of hops on the finish leaves a very grainy residue on the palate. Definitely a food beer. I couldn't drink more than one of these.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2006 22:03:50 | More by mcallister

mynie

Indiana

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

Bottled in August of 2005.

Belgian pale gloamber colored with a small but retentive white head.

Smells like Duvel on a diet. Very sweet fruity yeast and a solid dose of hops. Nothing grand, but solid; avoids being overly sweet or alcoholic.

Very tart sweetness! Momentarily reminiscent of Unibroue’s Currant Ephemere, but without the candy fruit backing. This is a yeast sweetness all the way, and its probably the sweetest I've ever tasted; so sweet, in fact, the rest of the beer is overshadowed until there is a very light touch of hops smack dab at the end.

The sweet is nice, but not enough to really carry the beer. Maybe this is better when it's fresher, before the hops have been dulled to nothingness. Still, not bad.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2006 05:37:15 | More by mynie

Crosling

Colorado

3.73/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Nice orange color, with a filmy off-white head, yet lacking that beautiful, mountainous foam of its counterpart. It does nearly equal Orval in the aroma, it’s dry, spicy and hoppy, with a mild brett character and hints of leather, caramel , perfume and cake icing. I’m trying not to look at this beer as an Orval clone, because in the flavor, it's far from it. Whereas Orval is very dry with a horseblanket flavor, I find this to be very sweet. But I can imagine how difficult it would be to brew an Orval clone. I can’t even brew a drinkable IPA. Still though, in itself, this beer is still very enjoyable. The yeast suggests hints of white peppercorn and perfume, with a rich herbal and floral hop flavor.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2006 04:49:45 | More by Crosling

Chadbrew

Delaware

3.98/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This one pours out a beautiful orange color with a nice frothy head, not a huge frothy head but a nice finger and a half. The aroma is bready and yeasty with an underlying spiciness... clove, allspice.
The flavor here is more of the clove along with some banana and I swear I can taste a hint of vanilla and oak.
A good mouthfeel but a little thin in my opinion.
Overall I really liked this beer. It is a bit subdued compared to most of the other Belgians I've had which frankly I liked.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2006 11:06:10 | More by Chadbrew

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

dreadnatty08

District of Columbia

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

Pours a light amber, cloudy as hell. Fizzy head maintains some good tracing. Aromas, wow... Apples, pears, candy sugar, it all pops out. Somewhat cloying already, I'm afraid for the flavor. This beer has quite some complexity. You're first hit with sweetness, followed by some sourness and astringency akin to Orval. However, I do enjoy this one much more. Carbonation is somewhat high, gives you quite a zing, and is refreshing. Alcohol biting a little at the swallow. This is an extremely drinkable brew. Would go wonderfully with some brie or camembert (I wish I had some ugh). Glad it went on sale locally, made it worth my purchase.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2006 20:50:05 | More by dreadnatty08

bditty187

Nebraska

4.35/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Hazy, peachy bronze in hue; the liquid is a warm and friendly color. White foam, at the apex the bubbles united long enough to create one finger of head. Head retention was poor, especially for a Belgian Ale. After a few moments all I had left was a soapy cap. Oh well. The subsequent lacing was spotty and hardly noteworthy… and yet I mentioned it. The appearance is respectable but I need a larger, healthier head with more lacing for me to consider this to be a special looking beer.

The first whiff is nothing but Brett. I love it. Tart, funky, earthy, sour, and barnyard; oh it is tremendous. Hints of clove, citrus flesh, hay, musty apples, some pears, and even some berries find a home in the middle. The finish is a soft woody mix with a tickle of white wine. Moderate potency, while this beer doesn’t scream at me it does speak to me as an adult. It is articulate and thoughtful. I understand it. I appreciate it. I am motivated to take a sip.

The palate is lovely. Arid. Bitter. Compact flavors. Rigid. Really nothing more needs to be said about the vibe I get. I love it. What I taste is an elegant mix of white wine, grapes, apples, stray sour sensations, wood, hay, leather, barnyard, clove, a tickle of candied fruit sweetness and some raw tropical fruit notes at the finish. I enjoy the dry, slightly woody, bitter aftertaste; lingering and lovely. Is this beer as good as Orval? No, but it is close. I love Orval; it is one of my favorite beers of all-time. Matilda is a worthy substitute. I am a sucker for dry, alcoholic, funky beers like this. Anybody have suggestions?

Medium in body, light but lively carbonation, the mouthfeel is soft and pliable. I think the mouthfeel fits this beer well; there isn’t anything that needs fixing.

Dangerously drinkable; even at 7% I could quaff a lot of this nectar. I can’t believe I don’t have any more bottles. I need to get more; I bet this would kill with a slew of cheeses… mix in some fresh fruit and dear God! Goose Island sure can brew some killer beers! I got my four-pack in Lawrence, KS for $9. It is a top notch beer at a great price. Seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2006 19:12:06 | More by bditty187

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

yelterdow

New Jersey

4.4/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Paired with a terrific dinner of wild King salmon and roasted vegetables. Thanks to Dave (Ego) for the sample from DeCicco Market in Pelham, NY.

Bottled on 7/27/05..."The flavor will continue to develop in the next 5 years."

Served in a Duvel tulip at just over fridge temperature. A nice, sharp zip of air is released upon opening.

Appearance- Pours a beautiful, hazy golden yellow... almost amber, but not quite... with a three finger bone white head. Retention is excellent, with continuous lacing and head replenishment. The head rockets back to a full finger head after swirling.

Smell- Mmmmm... lemony, fruity notes with a Gatorade-like sweetness, I'm getting Fruit Stripe chewing gum. Gumballs. Volcano Rocks. Zippy, fruity, hoppy. Rose petals. Floral and fragrant, with candy-in-a-box like notes.

Taste- Syrupy, like a cocktail salad of peaches, pears, and cherries. Spicy, but more in a fruity sort of way. A floral character, roses in particular, unfolds on the palate. Delicious, and very naturally fresh.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability- So rolling, so easy and foamy. Overall, a more fruity twist on the Belgian Pale Ale which is totally enjoyable. I don't know who this "Matilda" is, but I hope to meet her one day.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2006 01:22:46 | More by yelterdow

denjen

Illinois

2.35/5  rDev -41.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Dennis: Again I am left wonder why am I paying more than $2 dollars a bottle for a 7% brew that is made close enough for me drive to the brewery. It just boggles my tiny mind. Honestly, there just nothing amazing here...although it is a little odd to try to describe. The taste reminds me of either:
a.) the after taste of a 9 volt battery on my tongue
b.) evergreen pine scent
c.) lemon lime alka seltzer
d.) all of the above
There's a bit of a hop bitterness at the end, but it just comes in way to late to make anything of this. I'm already confused and a little disappointed

Jen: I would have to say that I am not overly impressed with this "expensive" beer. It has sweet malty characteristics with a backing of citrusy apple fruits and hops. It is light in body and quite bubbly. It is easy to drink, but I don't think that it is worth $8.99. If you are trying to decide between this and another, go with the other.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2006 17:32:18 | More by denjen

orbitalr0x

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The Matilda pours from the bottle a deep orange/peach color with a touch of brown as well. A nice bubbly, foamy half inch of white head develops on top of the brew. Aromas of sour candied fruits hits me initially, apple, pear and lemon. Sweet pale malts collide with an earthy, musty yeast aroma and a mix of some herbal, spicy hops as well. A touch of clove and some pepper. Almost medicinal. Quite an intriguing aroma overall.

First sip brings a sweet, fruity pale maltiness with a blast of earthy, slightly funky yeast. Soured apple juice swirls around with cloves and cracked pepper. Quite fruity in the middle with a touch of herbal, spicy, grassy hops on the way down. The yeast seems to give off a very herbal, floral vibe throught the brew. Good balance between sweet and sour, this is another tasty brew in the GI reserve line.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and smooth with a strong blast of carbonation that dashes across the palate. Goes down fairly easy at 7% and each sip keeps me coming back for more. I wouldn't mind enjoying a few of these in a sitting. Worth seeking out and trying I'd say.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2006 01:44:14 | More by orbitalr0x

freed

Oregon

3.68/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a rich copper - bright in hue and in it's rich white foam. Lacing is rampant.

The aroma is long refrigerated apple, funk, and malt. Nice but somewhat shallow.

The taste is almost bipolar. There's a fruity pale ale and a champagne fighting for dominance - but the malt and sweetness balance well, and the fruit and yeast derived flavors give it character.

Drinks well - no overpowering flavors and sits well.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2006 05:31:59 | More by freed

beveragecaptain

New Jersey

3.65/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle. Orangish color with a small head. What a strange beer! The aroma is fruity, but somehow unlike any fruit I've eaten. It's sort of like fruit mixed with candy and ginger. Some wine-like grape flavors are present. Slightly tart, but still candy-like in it's tartness. Finishes with spices, including cinnamon and ginger. This beer left me confused and thirsty. Still not sure if I like it or not. It's certainly an interesting beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2006 03:44:45 | More by beveragecaptain

Franchise

Oregon

3.85/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This ale pours a candied orange color that leaves a bubbly white lace that sticks to the glass. The aroma is black licorice, root beer, horse blanket, wet grass, citrus, and candied fruit very complex. The taste is sweet on the palate, starts bitter with a black licorice/anis flavor in the background. It then hits with a dull alcohol presence on the palate that has some bitter bark bit on the tongue. Then it finishes semi-hoppy with a light carbonation, great brew glad I picked it up. I would pair this beer with a baked haddock stuffed with bread crumbs, oregano, and thyme. The savory stuffing and delicate fish will really compliment some of the licorice, canided aspects in the beer. Also the beer will act as the "squeeze of lemon" some people put on fish cause of the citrus aspect in this brew.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2006 14:40:57 | More by Franchise

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

2.8/5  rDev -30.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 1.5

Appearance - a bright copper color with a large off-white head. Holds at a thin cover with thin, solid lacing.

Aroma - sweet fruits (indistinguishable) mixed with the sour funky smell of the Brettanomyces. Right on style but I didn't expect it. Not my favorite style.

Taste - has the sweetness of the Belgian style that I like, and the funky Brett-influenced flavor that I don't. Some sour orange/lemon, but the funk (while not totally bad) doesn't appeal to me. Some peppery flavors come out as it warms and makes it better.

Mouthfeel - very crisp, fairly smooth, solid body.

Drinkability - a quality beer IMO, but not to my taste.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2006 06:11:59 | More by brewdlyhooked13

Suds

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This one is an orange color, mostly, but not completely transparent, with a modest, unassuming head. The aroma is intriguing: spicy, estery, vinous, bits of yeast and bread, and a slight acid-like smell. Great! The taste is equally interesting: a malt base, around which there is yeast, apple flavors, a fleeting sourness, and pepper. The flavors work very well, and this one is a lot of fun to drink. The intensity of flavor is sort of low, but the whole package is noteworthy and enjoyable. Sprtizy and somewhat light mouthfeel. Quite drinkable. I wasn’t disappointed with this one at all.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2006 11:56:34 | More by Suds

Bumpon10s

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Alright, well here we go. While me hailing from Chicago, I am not a huge fan of Goose Island. This beer and Bourbon County Stout are regarded as their flagships. Let's see how this one goes.

A - Pours a very nice golden color, with visible carbonation at first that dimishes into nothing in an eye blink.

S - As they state, a nose of light fruits and hops. A very pleasing smell, tingly also, similar to a Pinot Grigio. I really like the smell of this beer.

T - Very fruity and hoppy with something I can't put a finger on, perhaps the yeast. Indeed, likely the yeast hey are using. Again, this beer tastes like a wine also, odd, but damn good no less.

M - Has the razor sharp carbonation in mouthfeel of the Belgian pale's that I love. However, starts out odd at first and hints at alcohol taste being it only 7%.

D - This was a tough one for me. I wanted to drink another one, but I didn't. A good beer that I enjoyed, but didn't care for another. Perhaps I was just satisfied thats all. But anyway, a mid ABV with gentle play on the mouth gives this good marks on drinkability.

I must say, Goose Island did a pretty good job. I heard a BUNCH of hype about this beer, does it live up to all of it, probably not. Conversely, this is a good American Belgian in my opinon. I did enjoy this and would seek it out again.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2005 07:00:31 | More by Bumpon10s

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.25/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Like a saison, extremely horse though recent brew. Some spice, cinammon, nutmeg, not much, pale colour nice amount of head, and foam at the bottom. Nice drinking, but you have to get by the smell. Do you think skunked in short time? Peppery, medium mouthfeel.
I had this again 5.3 years later and it was much beter in the aroma department(yeasty and normal) so upgraded it,

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2005 17:09:39 | More by northyorksammy

ZAP

Minnesota

2.8/5  rDev -30.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Glowing orange color...sediment noticable...nose is big on the barnyard elements....straw....hay...some definite manure (more horse shit than cow shit but a little bit of a blend of both)...Personally I didn't expect it to be so funky smelling and I don't really care for it in this style..

Body is a little fizzy....medium...citrus fruitiness (oranges, grapefruit, tangerines)...some yeasty sourness...also some earthy notes..

A different feel to this one....not horrible but I can live without ever having another one...

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2005 01:19:56 | More by ZAP

Starchild

New York

4/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer is a deep orange with a nice fluffy head. Its a really clean beer with a nice balance of hops and belgian yeast. The hops tastes like blood oranges and theres maybe a hint of grapfruit. All of this is balanced with a good does of sweetness and you would almost believe the hops were fruit snacks. Theres a little bit of Belgian funk, but is mostly hidden under the hops and bready malt. Its well crafted and I'm pretty impressed. I would buy this again and put it in the rolation of ipsa I drink during the summer.

American's benchmark belgian pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2005 00:51:54 | More by Starchild

RedHaze

Nebraska

3.63/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Courtesy of bditty187.

Pours an orangey copper color with a one finger head that fades to a spotty cap that leaves plenty of lacing.

Smell; slightly floral, a bit of orange peel and freshly mown hay.

Taste; spiced oranges, slight floral hops, and there's an interesting funky/earthiness to it. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, but there's a little to much bite in the carbonation. Overall this is a pretty solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2005 02:16:34 | More by RedHaze

Higravity

Michigan

3.68/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Straw orange color with a head that goes to lumps but gives some lacing. Smells of sweet-malt with a citric and yeast funk but very mild. Taste kind of like a wit-beer there is a sourness but it is more citrus than sour and the hops are very subdued and the yeast ain't that funky. Nice carbonation and body though. It is drinkable but not the clone that it could be.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2005 19:16:49 | More by Higravity

goodbyeohio

Oregon

3.93/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

read so much about this, had the orval chalice ready. yes, i'm gonna give this beer a fair chance, but who are goose island really kidding? the label clearly hints at this beer's "influences" and i remember the story of the fish and the ring. et cetera.

pours a rich amber orange and clear, full of soda-like bubbles. head atop this beast is fizzy, very loose and quickly dissipating. beer soda. nose is a sweeter one than i would expect, a light mix of simple syrup and fresh cut grass. something detectable like nectarine, making me think this is the beginning of a cloyingly sweet downward spiral. alas, the first sip is earthy and springy.. begins with bitterness, something dirty and botanical. next comes an odd minor sweetness that seems out of place intertwined with that funky bacterial. matilda leaves you, finally, with the flavor of the last sip of unsweetened, unfiltered tea.

a rollercoaster ride for sure, and probably one of the better (and more available) orval clones out there. still, as many people here said, there is something here prohibitive of greatness. i don't know if it's a lack of richness, an excess of sweetness, or a heavy hand with the hops. still, i'd drink a few more of these without question, especially considering the hefty price tag to its trappist cousin.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2005 22:04:20 | More by goodbyeohio

OldSock

District of Columbia

3.78/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance – 12 oz bottle bought at Beirkraft, bottled 7/27/05. It pours with a lackluster head that dissipates to nothing within a few seconds. The beer itself looks fine, golden-orange with some bubbles rising through it.

Smell – Mild sour twang with slightly sweet malt. There is also a slightly metallic smell that comes to the front once in awhile.

Taste – Odd flavor, slightly sour with some sweet toasted malt up front, but with only minimal taste in the back, just moderate hop bitterness. There is some yeast and some fruit in there as well, but they are not as pronounced as I like in my Belgian style ale.

Mouthfeel – Medium-light, with medium carbonation. I think it would be better if it had a bit more carbonation.

Drinkability and Notes – The more I drink this the less I taste the sour and the more I taste the hop bitterness. Definitely a tasty beer, but one was enough for me. Defiantly feels like an interpretation of Orval, but it doesn’t have the same complexity of flavor.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2005 22:09:41 | More by OldSock