Mild Winter - Goose Island Beer Co.

Jekster

Indiana

3.98/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: The beer pours a dark mahogany to dark cherry brown with only a slight off white lacing of head.

Smell: I smell caramel with a slight rich spiciness. There are hints of walnut and pine with a slight hint of orange zest. In the background is the smell of smoky extinguished campfire (in a good way) along with a slight musty smell (again, in a good way).

Taste: This beer has a robust smoky initial flavor followed by a sweet mango fruit flavor. The beer lingers into more of a mellow mango flavor and finishes with a distinct nutty after tone. There is a slight spiciness from the rye along with a very festive plum and cherry flavor. Despite all the prominent fruit flavor the beer is still very savory and does not come across as overly sweet.

Mouthfeel: This beer has a light to medium body with a medium to medium high carbonation. It is easy on the pallet and thirst quenching.

Drinkability: This beer is very drinkable for people looking for a beer that has a malt and fruit forward profile. It's easy mouthfeel and body make it pleasent and I could see myself drinking quite a few of these beers at home around a nice fire.

OVERALL IMPRESSION: When I saw this beer at the store I had high hopes. I would say it did not blow me away but did not make me unhappy. I would easily go out to buy a six pack to drink at home or share with my friends for fun. I think the predominant dried fruit flavors are appropriate for a "winter" beer while not being overly sweet and unapproachable by someone who prefers dry, hoppy beers. If you are an English Ale fan or enjoy a good Brown Ale, definitely give this brew a try for something different and unique.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

01-12-2009 02:13:05 | More by Jekster

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.84/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

this is a lot better than I thought it would be! it pours a darker copper color, pushing brown but just barley maintaining its red tint. its got a luscious off white head several inches tall and holding on pretty well. the nose is the English malt and caramel sweetness I expected, not really convincing me this is anything special. some dryness rather than sweetness though, and my palate always leans that way, so I take a sip. the first thing I notice is how mellow the sweetness factor is. I am allowed to taste the rich English malt, but I don't have to deal with its usual residual sugars. there is also a mild bittering hop finish that gives some nice balance. im not sure what the yeast is, but it almost comes across like a lager, finishing crisp and super clean for a beer of this malt persuasion. good carbonation, soft like a cask, and not filling at all. I could session this big time. overall an impressive regular beer from goose island, usually their sixpack stuff comes up short for me, but I thought this was an excellent cold weather brew, and one I will stock the fridge with come fall.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

05-23-2013 17:24:36 | More by StonedTrippin

Rdc67

Kentucky

3.25/5  rDev -12.6%

05-22-2013 20:22:13 | More by Rdc67

ackeeper

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%

05-21-2013 01:32:45 | More by ackeeper

davesway10

Iowa

3.75/5  rDev +0.8%

05-19-2013 11:48:58 | More by davesway10

mitch3114

New York

3.25/5  rDev -12.6%

05-18-2013 20:04:46 | More by mitch3114

jono0101

Missouri

3.25/5  rDev -12.6%

05-18-2013 16:30:29 | More by jono0101

Emkehr

Connecticut

2.75/5  rDev -26.1%

05-17-2013 17:20:47 | More by Emkehr

PopnLoads

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -12.6%

05-16-2013 21:21:02 | More by PopnLoads

HeyYoMar

Ohio

4/5  rDev +7.5%

05-16-2013 00:41:23 | More by HeyYoMar

Zimm

New Jersey

3.25/5  rDev -12.6%

05-15-2013 17:32:27 | More by Zimm

jkball01

Kentucky

3/5  rDev -19.4%

05-13-2013 16:36:26 | More by jkball01

ZAP

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I really like the way the rye plays in this one. Bready notes to start with and then the rye makes it almost a rye bread like flavor....also notes of java and caramel.

Body is not thin at all....just real approachable....carbonation is good...a real treat from an underrepresented style.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

05-11-2013 05:30:26 | More by ZAP

cadaugherty

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%

05-09-2013 01:01:24 | More by cadaugherty

keithmurray

Louisiana

3.84/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Appearance - translucent mahogany color with tan head

Smell - notes of chocolate, toffee, toasted grains

Taste - chocolate, toffee, toasted grains

Mouthfeel - Medium body, higher level of carbonation, slightly sweet upfront, balanced with bitterness and flavors linger after the sip, a bit of mustiness in the finish

Overall - decent beer that I am glad to have tried

Price Point - $4.99/6 pk 12 oz bottles

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

05-05-2013 02:05:13 | More by keithmurray

philbe311

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A -Just about a finger's worth of crisp fizzy dirty khaki colored head... Solid retention... What's left is a full even layer of rich creamy lacing... The color is a deep rich medium brown caramel color... Filled with small bubbled rapid paced carbonation... Rings of lacing cling to the glass... An attractive looking brew...

S - Not really surprising that this one is more than bit malt forward... Toffee... Caramel... Brown sugar... Bread pudding... Some dark fruit notes.. Nutty... Lots of layers and depth...

T - Much of the sweetness from the nose disappears on the palate... It is replaced by some light roasted malt... Hints of tobacco... Touches of wood and smoke... The only thing that really carries over from the nose is the rich nuttiness...

M - On the lighter side of medium bodied... A bit chalky through out and the finish is just a touch dry... Prickly carbonation... Crisp... Even and consistent...

D - A solid winter seasonal that I will likely invest in next year... Enjoyable and sessionable without being overpowering and too boozy like a lot of winter brews... An outstanding American interpretation of an under produced English style... A nice job by Goose Island...

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

05-05-2013 01:52:42 | More by philbe311

ltdantheman

Georgia

3.25/5  rDev -12.6%

04-26-2013 14:25:49 | More by ltdantheman

Adkins1203

Ohio

4/5  rDev +7.5%

04-21-2013 18:22:21 | More by Adkins1203

jabo134

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +0.8%

04-19-2013 02:45:21 | More by jabo134

cyclonece09

Virginia

3.94/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a 14 oz "pint" glass. Pours a dark red with a nice fluffy off white head. Smells of dark roasted malt with slight syrupy notes, nice combination. Tastes of dark malt and wheat body, very malty, but quite balanced with spiciness and slight chocolate or coffee notes, and a tiny bit of hop bite. Beer is carbonated correctly, and although it is of medium body, this is definitely sessionable. Overall, a very good beer.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

04-19-2013 01:56:15 | More by cyclonece09

lucasj82

Indiana

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%

04-19-2013 00:18:06 | More by lucasj82

Duff27

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%

04-18-2013 18:06:06 | More by Duff27

civicm87

New York

4/5  rDev +7.5%

04-16-2013 21:52:11 | More by civicm87

AlphaKingKegger

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%

04-16-2013 04:17:14 | More by AlphaKingKegger

AmandaSchaefer

Wisconsin

3/5  rDev -19.4%

04-15-2013 23:11:47 | More by AmandaSchaefer