Mild Winter - Goose Island Beer Co.

mactrail

California

2.93/5  rDev -21.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Quite attractive in the Duvel tulip with a generous sudsiness that makes the first gulp a mouthful of foam. Dark brown in color with virtually no lacing in the glass.

Starts out with a very bitter bang, which seems to subside but returns in power for the aftertaste. A hint of fruity hops but mostly it's just the bitterness. Extremely thin. Starts with some roasted malt which provides a welcome warmth, but there is more of a mineral taste, some club soda, and a dirty finish. Burnt raisin toast.

Overall this is too bitter and way too strong to be anything but an "English inspired" Mild. Among my least favorite alleged Milds. From the 12 oz bottle.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 06:51:10 | More by mactrail

Rhettroactive

Virginia

2.95/5  rDev -20.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

From bottle to Bruges hybrid glass on 2/10/11

*I'm performing a "Spring Cleaning" of sorts, and finishing off the holiday beer in and around my home - this being one of them.

A: Nothing particularly special here, a simple looking brown ale with a 1.5 finger head and minimal lacing. After settling down, it looks a bit more regal, like a new leather bomber jacket.

S: Earthy malt and herbal smoke. It's got a faint trace of bitter hops and sandalwood.

T: Like one would expect from a brown, but because of the rye's influence, I get an earthy and slightly sweet (not sugary) kick to the jaw. Mild hops make a guest appearance and dissapear as a hint of liquid smoke shows up right at the tail end.

M: Oily and slick. The forced carbonation is sharp and pronounced, making it feel lighter then it should for a winter-only brew.

O: Not bad, not great. Goose Island's Mild Winter is just kinda there. It's beer, take it or leave it. I found it to be a bit blah and one I wouldn't pass up if offered, but one I won't be asking for by name.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2011 20:26:52 | More by Rhettroactive

Seeker41184

Illinois

3.03/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Date Drunk: 2/27/11

12oz into pint glass

Another let down from Goose Island IMO. Malt flavors are present, but not robust as they should be. Their is a slight hint of smoke but needs more. Leaves an aftertaste of metal almost. The only good thing about the beer was it was smooth, wet, and light, kinda like how I like my women.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2011 19:01:06 | More by Seeker41184

schlimenhaumer

New York

3.03/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12oz bottle into an Odell pint glass at high altitude near Denver.

A: Pours an amber body with a foamy off-white head. Good lacing here and decent retention.

S: Light smell overall, malts and a bit of caramel come through. Not much going on here.

T: Malt notes from start to finish here, with just enough hop character to balance. Certainly a mild flavor.

M: Light- to medium-bodied with a slick mouthfeel and a small amount of carbonation. Fits the flavors well.

O: Nothing remarkable, but a good option if you're looking for something mild.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 00:54:00 | More by schlimenhaumer

codewarrior

New York

3.05/5  rDev -18%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz from a mixed 6 pack, poured into a tulip pint

Again from a mixed 6 from Wegman's, had very low expectations of this beer (as I do for most small-format goose island beers) but I couldn't resist picking up a winter seasonal rye. Unfortunately the beer did not disappoint.

L: Rusty reddish orange and clear with lingering and ample carbonation and a half-finger of thickish head. Looks okay, not panty-dropping, but not terribly boring or just plain bad either.

S: Rye and corn and sweet with a touch of dirty water bitter towards the end. Okay smelling all-in-all.

T: Straight into a conflicted middle of sweet and bitter without much introduction. Finish is a lingering bitter chased by a wetness. Meh.

F: Cold and smooth, best part of the beer. Still unimpressive.

D: Drinkable but forgettable. Lineup filler for GI at best.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2010 04:43:43 | More by codewarrior

imaguitargod

Ohio

3.08/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured to a white head that dissipated fairly quickly to a small foam with some lacing. When I poured it there was a massive rush of bubbles in the glass and it stayed that way for quite a while, close to over carbonated. Dark amber in color. Let me state, I am not a Rye beer fan at all and usually can’t stand more than a sip of a Rye beer.

I actually finished this, it didn’t have that over bearing rye taste but it did have some substantial sweetness that was a little bit of a turn off. Nice little bit of toasty malt taste too that was a pleasant surprise. After it warned up a bit the Rye notes really started to come out more and more. Overall, it was drinkable and I could see enjoying a few pints of it, but a little too sweet for me and too much rye taste for me towards the end.

~Jonathan Passow

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2010 01:30:10 | More by imaguitargod

jasonpeckins32

Michigan

3.1/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a mahogany brown color with minimal head. Strong lacings throughout.

Has a sweet, mild aroma with hints of rye.

It has a very bland taste. I notice flavors of oak barrel, rye, and light malts.

A semi-dry mouthfeel and nicely carbonated.

This is a good, light feeling beer that could be used for mass consumption.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2009 05:45:11 | More by jasonpeckins32

bnes09

Illinois

3.13/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Dark mahogany and mostly transparent (similar color as Amber Bock.) Weak, white head that sticks around for a little while and produces some blotchy lacing.

Smell is fairly clean and slightly disappointing. Steely malts, mild hop, and just the slightest hint of smoke.

Flavor is equally lackluster. Consists of bready malt which has a musty off flavor. Slight hint of rye and oak. Not much hop flavor and what is there tastes a bit stale. Not horrible just lacks depth and the flavors are a little off.

Light to medium bodied, lighter than expected for a winter brew. Good carbonation yet a coarse feel.

An ok rye beer/winter seasonal at best. Really nothing special. Definitely could use more complex flavors and a thicker, richer body.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2011 05:43:12 | More by bnes09

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

3.13/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a standard pint glass. The beer is a rich copper. The light cream colored head dissipates quickly, but leaves sticky lacing. Smells of roasted malts and faint caramel. Tastes of faint caramel sweetness, malts, and a hint of hop bitterness. The mouthfeel is somewhat light bodied.

Overall, this is just another average holiday beer for me. Nothing really stands out. It's not bad, just not memorable.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 17:05:54 | More by JuicesFlowing

Spider889

Ohio

3.15/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This beer is a crystal clear glowing garnet color. It took some heavy coaxing to get a meager 2mm of head out of this one. What head is there is white in color, and the bubbles that make it up are rather large and soapy. No retention or lace to speak of.

The smell has some sweet acidic smokiness to it. Mild chestnut aromas and a roasty, nutty malt presence.

The taste is all roasted caramel and chocolate malt. Smoke comes through in the flavor as well, in addition to mild charcoal. Slightly sweet with a bitter finish.

Slick, almost creamy mouthfeel. This is an easy drinker but overall fairly lackluster for me.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2011 19:35:12 | More by Spider889

fatmusic14

Colorado

3.15/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured from a bottle into a standard 16 oz mug

A - pours a nice dark amber, minimal head with no lacing. not quite as dark as I was expecting or hoping for, but decent substance.

S - unimpressive. Smells like a light lager, non-distinct.

T - After the A and the S, the taste was impressive. Honestly it isn't going to blow your mind, but it tastes slightly herbal, with hints of cinnamon and paprika.

M - great carbonation, easy to drink. Aftertaste - terrific.

O - You can pass on this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 03:01:49 | More by fatmusic14

robbyc1

Illinois

3.18/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

At the Clybourn brewpub in December, Somewhat light brown look with decent head, not much on the nose other than decent malt and a bit of hops, no rye notes, taste is the same, not complex, very light, finishes easy, overall better than average but not one to seek out.

Serving type: on-tap

01-27-2009 17:29:45 | More by robbyc1

andrewjraab

Michigan

3.18/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A. Dark brown almost black pour. Darkish off white head. Excellent head lines and lacing.

S. yeasty, spices, bread,malts. Not a big nose on this beer.

T. Malty, spices, smooth and rich and mild.

O. Overall this brew delivers on the description: it is a nice winter brew and truly mild. I just wish it was more robust as it just falls a little flat for me.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 02:25:50 | More by andrewjraab

suspect

New York

3.18/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Dogfish Head shaped pint glass. This is my first sampling of an English Dark Mild Ale.

A: Pours a clear dark brown color. Aggressive pour leads to a 1 finger light tan head that fades relatively quickly leaving not much lacing.

S: Nutty, grainy and lots of malt.

T: Rich malt flavor with nuttiness and some caramel. This one isn't mind blowing but EDMA's aren't supposed to be.

M: Light-medium bodied brew. Carbonation is definitely not overpowering.

O: A supremely easy drinking brew with good flavors. Not one I'll run back to get but if there were a bunch a a party I wouldn't be disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 13:24:47 | More by suspect

PirateUlf73

Illinois

3.2/5  rDev -14%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a Spaten glass of similar shape to the suggestion on the back label.

A: Color is dark red, leaning toward brown and quite clear. Head is off-white and substantial, with considerable staying power and lacing ability. Looks like a cozy winter night, huddled around a fire.

S: Warm, roasted and slightly spicy notes from the malt, balanced with a slightly bitter hop aroma. No doubt the spiciness comes from the rye. Some fruity yeast can also be detected, trying to sneak its way past the aforementioned malt.

T: Malt is singing lead, to the tune of slightly roasted and silk smooth. Bready flavors mingle with a minimal hop bitterness. The rye is noticeable and tends to dominate the other flavors.

M: Smooth and on the lighter side of medium-bodied. Carbonation was adequate, but aftertaste was a little strange.

D: Not too heavy and goes down smooth. Quite the cold weather session beer.

"Mild" turned out to be an accurate descriptor. The color and appearance were great, but the smell and taste ended up being more subdued than I expected. The rye could have made this complex and deep, but ends up making this brew a one-trick pony of sorts. Still, it could make a decent session brew, and I certainly wouldn't turn one down, if offered.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2009 07:09:12 | More by PirateUlf73

beerman207

Kentucky

3.2/5  rDev -14%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

For some reason I haven't reviewed this one

A: Dark Brown - clear, skim left all over the glass

S: Malt, spice, maybe some orange peel,

T: Taste is a bit spicy, malty

M: Easy to drink

O: I'm a fan of goose island but this one is a bit unremarkable. Nothing bad just not one that I'm going to buy in the future.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2011 03:00:08 | More by beerman207

Snow81

Minnesota

3.2/5  rDev -14%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Clean Amber tint

Head: Frosty tan head

Smell: Grass with caramel malt

Taste: Bit grassy upfront with a nutty or
caramel and a small skunk note fallowed by a subtle bitter hop in the back

Weight: Light to medium body with medium carbonation

Finish: Little hop note sneaks in after the other notes dissolve on the end

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2011 13:45:53 | More by Snow81

claspada

New Jersey

3.2/5  rDev -14%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours a clear light brown color with a rather large khaki head that recedes to leave some minimal amounts of lacing.

Aromas begin with a large amount of toasted bread and caramel maltiness. There is a light spiciness and this continuing emerging minerally, biting spice which I assume is the rye but I am quite familiar with rye beers and it has never come across like this before.

The tastes follow the nose with some caramel maltiness that transitions into the chalky, minerally twanf with some moderate earthy hop flavors. The malt body seems to be lacking a punch or a signifigant flavor backbone and this taste comes across quite lacking.

The mouthfeel is light to medium bodied with a lower amount of carbonation. Finish is lacking and comes across watery and hollow with an unplesant twang. I love rye heavy beers so I don't think it is that.

Overall this was quite a dissapointment for me. I love solid brown ales, winter ales, rye ales, as long as they have a quality flavor profile. This one however does not and really misses the mark because of the hollow malt backbone and weak mouthfeel. The finish just lingers in an unpleasant way for me.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 15:01:35 | More by claspada

emmasdad

Colorado

3.25/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Received as an extra in a recent trade. Poured a light to medium brown color, with a little tan head. Aromas of cereal, light hops and malt. OnLightly carbonated, medium bodied, somewhat creamy. On the palate, somewhat sweet, lightly hopped, with hints of caramel and rye. A solid, easy to drink beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2010 04:03:54 | More by emmasdad

SerendipitousTaster

3.25/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I am new to this forum and wish that I could post reviews privately as it is not my intention to influence or inform others but to remind myself. I am not a beer tasting expert and do not know the proper etiquette or vocabulary.

That said, I found the first taste uncomfortably bitter but happily discovered the flavor mellow as I continued to drink. It did not quite reach the comfortable buttery body and flavor that I was hoping for because, labelled a "mild ale brewed with rye," it is too light for that level of body. this lightness, though, and warmth after the first few sips, makes it a comfortable beer to drink several glasses.

This is not an everyday beer for me but several pours would be a tasty treat on a winter afternoon or evening.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 00:12:17 | More by SerendipitousTaster

MillySox

Illinois

3.28/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Purchased from a grocery store, bottling date on front of twelve pack. I am not sure if Goose Island has always done that.

Dark amber almost brown color. Little if any hop aroma. Dark rich malt flavor, that only lets a little rye flavor through. Not too heavy, not a lot of hop flavor, malt flavors stick around.

Overall a pretty nice beer for sitting by the fireplace or something of that nature, just not Goose Islands finest output.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2009 00:43:53 | More by MillySox

goblue3509

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a dark amber color with the top appearing a little darker than the botton and a nice one finger pillow head. The aroma is of a little breadiness and some rye along with a faint earthy hop smell. The taste is a roasted malt backbone with a rye hint and a small earhty hop bitterness at the end. The mouthfeel is mildy carbonated. Overall its an average drinkable beer, it has some good flavors but nothing overly complex.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2010 22:04:02 | More by goblue3509

Florida9

Illinois

3.28/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

A: Served in a conical pint glass with about a 1/2" of creamy smooth light tan colored head. Beer itself is a beautiful clear chestnut brown - the color of quality furniture.

S: Not much going on here. Just some malts.

T: Sweet caramel malts and a bit of wood (which I will presume is the rye). Quick, clean finish.

M: Medium in weight with appropriate carbonation. A little sweet malt in the mouth, but actually quite clean.

D: This beer is exactly what it says it is: A mild, mass market craft beer. It brewed exactly how it is supposed to be brewed, but, that doesn't mean I have to like it and I don't. Personally I find it too light and rather one dimensional. Not my style of beer and not one I will be searching out for again.

Serving type: on-tap

03-24-2010 01:51:03 | More by Florida9

colts9016

Idaho

3.28/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I got this beer from E, thank you for the beer. Poured into a nonic at 43 degrees.

Appearance: A two finger tan that is foamy and bubbly with okay retention. The head did leave some lacing on the glass. The color of the beer is reddish copper color. The clarity of the beer is clear with some carbonation bubbles.

Nose: A mild roast, toasted malt with some caramel. Other notes are a slight hint of rye, yeast, and a subtle sweetness.

Taste: A malty sweetness with roasted and caramel hints. Other flavors are rye, yeast, and subtle sweetness.

Overall: The mouth feel of the beer is sticky and coating. The body of the beer is medium with a medium finish. This rye beer is just okay there is nothing in the beer that stands out as anything different.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2011 05:48:25 | More by colts9016

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Goose Island
Mild Winter
5.6 abv

LOOK: Pours a clear dark amber, off white foam that recedes to nothing. Cola like bubbles crackling at the surface.

SMELL: Toasted malts, cinnamon, bread and some earthy hops.

TASTE: In the flavor, palatable hop bitterness upfront giving way to roasted malts and a light spicing. Tasty brew with the malts winning out over time and stands alone as a solid dark beer.

FEEL: Medium bodied, well carbonated, finishes clean.

OVERALL: A sessionable winter offering that provides a good amount of flavor at a reasonable abv. Somewhere between a brown ale and winter warmer.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 20:11:19 | More by Stinkypuss