Mild Winter - Goose Island Beer Co.

kels

Virginia

4.33/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Found this in the singles section on accident during a recent beer run to the Party Source in Bellevue. Really glad I happened upon it. Poured from the bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: This beer looks delicious to me. I know everybody's got their standards, and some like 'em cloudy. This is not at all. It's clear with carbonation running throughout. Gorgeous caramelly, coppery brown color with a 1 finger thick, foamy tan head. If I didn't know any better, I might think it were root beer or cola, of which I am also quite the connoisseur:)

Smell: The smell is comparatively light compared to other rye ales, but I guess maybe this is classified more as a "mild ale brewed with rye" according to the label. I smell some light malts and something that honestly hits me as salty.

Taste/Mouthfeel: For such a clear beer, the mouthfeel is tremendously creamy and smooth thanks to the head. It pours small, but it really holds throughout the drink, leaving thick rings of lacing without stickiness on the palate. The taste is really quite good - better than I was expecting from the overall score. It is very well balanced between the malts and hops, with a warming bitterness and crisp finish. There is a slight peppery tone and a saltiness as in the smell - though that could just be the smell I am tasting. The rye gives a nice earthy taste that works well with the caramel of the hops. The alcohol is only slightly present in the aftertaste and it is more reminiscent of crisp fruit, like apples or hard pears, than of alcohol.

Drinkability: Give me another!

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2008 00:38:48 | More by kels

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottled on 12/4/08 this beer is holding up great, I thought it would be a mess after that much time. Appears a deep ruby caramel muddled hue with a light off white head forming thick with my vigorous pour. Lacing is even and fine and forms nicely with each sip from my tall 1/2 liter Willi glass used per direction. Aroma has a nice warming cereal grain sweetness about it, like walking through a specialty grain room when you tour a brewery with an edge of spicy rye in the finish. Barely a hint of herbal hops in the background, I'm sure when this brew was fresher there was a bit more hop aroma going on. Flavor has nice roasted malt layers with bread and subtle hazelnut and creamy milk chocolate tones, think nutella. That layer of spicy rye really adds to the complexity, along with the bite of herbal hop additions bitterness is at a minimal but overall flavor is good. Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied carbonation is mellow and naturally smooth. Drinkability is great one that I will look for this coming December hopefully fresh, our local Goose Island wholesaler has been sending old product to all of the retail stores. This came in last week, and earlier this summer we got one year old Summer Kolsch and 312 Wheat along with continuously dated IPA and Honkers this is bad for craft beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2009 14:28:34 | More by WVbeergeek

Brenden

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The color is a deep brown with a reddish tint and lots of clarity. The head poured out pretty compact and took a good while to dissipate. Some solid lacing is left behind in patches.
There's a caramel malt with a little bit of a floral bouquet. Some spices are definitely present along with grains. I didn't know this was a rye when I picked it up, which explains what that aroma is. I detected it straight off, though, and while it's not in the foreground it sort of sets it off.
This one is firmly backed by a strong malt, followed by the rye and grains. There's a little bit of a dark fruits note and a strong bready/toasty/biscuit flavor as well. Hops are not missing in this one, but they're certainly only here for balance and most prominent in the finish, which works really well for this brew. Spices round this one out, being steady but not overpowering. A nutty flavor lingers.
This one's got a medium body with a semi-dry finish that lingers. Carbonation is light and a good balance of crisp and smooth increases drinkability.
If Great Divide can make a rye Oktoberfest, who's to say Goose Island can't make a rye winter ale?

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2009 20:53:24 | More by Brenden

secondtooth

Indiana

4.33/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Goose Island seems to have stepped up their brewing in the last couple of years, and this is another triumph. This rye ale is an attractive deep amber with a rich foam and a fruity, biscuity nose. So far seems enticing! Taste is a surprisingly smooth and spicy, with a hint of clove. Subtle and tasty, this one's definitely enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2010 00:45:48 | More by secondtooth

TheQuietMan22

Iowa

4.33/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Straight pour into a tumbler. The color is a toffee brown with some copper undertones. Three fingers of eggshell colored head developed and dissipated slowly to leave a spotted and bubbly lacing, as well as foam trails along the inside of the glass.

Smell: Smells a lot like marbled rye bread. Along with the obvious rye aroma, toasted caramel, coffee, and chocolate malts are present. It exhibits a nice nutty and roasted barley quality. There is a little bit of toffee, too.

Taste: The mouthfeel is smooth and a little creamy, and the flavor mirrors the smell deliciously. It tastes like biting into a piece of rye bread fresh out of the toaster. Rye; toasted caramel, coffee, and chocolate malts; roasted barley; and a touch of toffee. There is a noticeable and very pleasant spiciness and hop bitterness that lingers after each sip.

Drinkability: Really good stuff. Straightforward and very drinkable. I wonder how many calories is it in, though.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2010 06:04:13 | More by TheQuietMan22

Jdmpolk

Florida

4.33/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to by buddy Adam for brining this back from Chicago!

Dark brown body ranging from golden brown to dark mahogany. A finger amount of tan foam tops the beer leaving large amounts of lacing

Rich bready aroma with spicy notes rye is evident. A hint of yeasty sweetness is present as well.

Sweet and malty bringing to mind the crust of a hearty pumpernolickle or rye.

Mouthfeel is rich and creamy, similar to a cream soda. carbonation makes the beverage seem almost fluffy.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2010 02:47:56 | More by Jdmpolk

pmccallum86

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours a deep dark red color with a thick bubbly head.

Smell is of light rye and caramel malts, pretty damn good.

Taste is great, smooth rye malt with some spice and creamy sweet malt character, very good beer.

Mouthfeel is smooth and creamy with low carbonation. Good beer, I am pleasantly surprised with the taste of this bad boy.

Very drinkable, great beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2011 09:13:48 | More by pmccallum86

MattyG85

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 12 oz. bottle into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass. Bottled on 11/23/11.

Appearance: Pours a deep and clear amber copper orange with a good amount of rising bubbles. Decent two finger off white head with good retention. Moderate amount of lacing clinging to the glass.

Smell: Sweet and bready caramel malts and wheat grains with some hints of toffee, rye, and nuts. Also some subtle hints of dark fruits and floral hops in the background. Smells pretty bready and good.

Taste: Very bready and grainy like the smell. Caramel malts blend with some notes of toffee and nuts. The rye taste is really big here and lingers through the finish and aftertaste. The hops also are fairly strong providing a nice balance to the bready sweetness. Very good taste.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a moderate level of carbonation. Sweet but finishes spicy and somewhat dry.

Overall: Pretty impressive for a "Mild" beer. The rye adds some great flavor. Good balance of bready sweetness, spice, and bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 05:23:37 | More by MattyG85

scot_chale

Minnesota

4.31/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into a litre mug on 3/22/13 with the bottling date 11/10/12

A- a hard pour produces 3 fingers of what bubbly off tan head. dark copper brown body with lines of carbonation shooting from the bottom of the mug. the head hangs out well and the lacing is thick.

S- some yeast byproduct with a healthy slam of sweet caramel and light coffee notes. it's pleasant and not pungent.

T- it's caramelly sweet with very little bitterness. The bittering hops are there but not obvious. Kind of a smoky, coffee taste lays underneath. It's a nice flavor.

M- It's silky and oily, the carbonation has a nice bite, the body is on the lower side of medium. Rather dry, but a little bit hangs out to keep the flavor going. It's quaffable and easy going.

O- Great beer. Stylistically in check, and for my taste, it's a winter-time session beer for sure. I would buy a case of this to keep on hand any winter. I'm giving it a 4.5 overall only because I haven't tried any other breweries examples of this style.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 20:02:12 | More by scot_chale

iasanlee

Nebraska

4.3/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a clear orange caramelly color. An off white creamy head quickly dissipates.

Brilliant aroma. Delicate roast, caramel, and nutty aroma is complimented by traces of chocolate. Very faint hops, flowery and spicy. Aroma is very mild and pleasant. Wonderful.

Malty. More roast, caramel, and nutty, as well as a toastiness dominates. Light hop flavor is flowery. Moderate hop bitterness is followed by a roasty dry finish.

Medium-light in body with a mild creamy carbonation. Roasty dryness lingers on the tongue.

Drinkability is this beers middle name. I am very impressed with the malt profile of this offering. Tastes somewhere between an English Mild and an American Brown. I could definitely drink this one regularly.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2008 07:57:55 | More by iasanlee

Gehrig

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Chestnut brown with burnt orange highlights supports two dense fingers of slightly tan froth, with good duration eliciting a good first impression. I like the flavors that emerge in the smell, but it's rather faint--hazelnut, ginger, and fruit. The taste is much better than the aroma, full of hazelnut, cherry, ginger, and coriander. Malt dominates, but citrus hops protrude now and then to provide a fine balance. The rye malt provides a sweet-and-sour taste, making this a distinct rye winter warmer. Creamy smooth but with good hop flavor and texture, this is sure to please and easy to enjoy.

Excellent beer, and I'm glad I bought extras.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2008 23:34:06 | More by Gehrig

budgood1

Minnesota

4.3/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

pours out an extremely dark auburn colour with a an brown egg shell coloured head that permanently skims the top of the beer and leaves some fine lace. light dark malty aroma...some choco and toffee aromas and some light spiciness. a light hop aroma is detectable, also. the flavour of this brew is of the mild variety, pleasantly malty with a definite spicy kick due to the rye used. the spiciness lingers on and then gives way to a herbal and earthy hop bitterness that seems so perfect for this ale. it really tastes good. the body is medium....and the mouthfeel crisp and refreshing. about perfect for this take on the mild or bitter style. finishes dry. drinkability is fantastic. definitely in the english tradition with a wry (rye) twist. loved it!

what makes this even better is that it has a quenching aspect to that would make it a perfect quaffer after an outdoor winter activity where a thirst may have been worked up. certainly sessionable...crazy quaffable...fantastically flavourful. another great beer from GI.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2009 01:02:47 | More by budgood1

smakawhat

Maryland

4.3/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint glass, a very nice cola type head that is a fist full and also a faint tan brown. Body is a gorgeous brown/red with a clear consistency and some simple carbonation coming up from the bottom. Big retention on this head she's got some staying power. Some decent lacing as well. Up to the light the beer has a great glowing red color also which is very nice.

Smell is kind of odd soapyness and faint malt with grain. It's a nice rye bread but kind of muted to go along with the soapy character which hits first covering it up. Different, not too bad certainly not an awful bouquet. It really gets into a big ball of raw kneaded dough smell as you continue on after a while.

Taste is a real pleasant malt with some good sweet bread like chew. Excellent body in this beer, and a subtle hop bitter on finish. Hints of caramel in the palate and some sweetness but not too much. No sense of alcohol or boozyness. Somewhat sweet spice as well, very much feels like a winter beer to have.

Great drink what can I say.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2011 02:02:14 | More by smakawhat

TurdFurgison

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I picked up a 6-pack for about $7 at Palmers Beverage in Columbus. The beer is very clear copper color with a thick "yeast-cake" head. The smell is sort of neutral, I guess about what I'd expect for a mild beer with some rye, with some roasted malt in the background. The taste is very nice, zest spicy bite from the rye, not too excessive, good counterbalance with some sweetness from the malts. The body is a little more carbonated than a cask ale while retaining the smooth mouthfeel I associate with casks. This is a great beer from Goose Island, hopefully to become a regular seasonal release.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2008 19:38:12 | More by TurdFurgison

BigPlay1824

New York

4.28/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served in a pint glass
Poured from a 12oz bottle

A: Pours a reddish amber color with a very slight amount of thin head. Thin amount of lacing stays around slightly

S: Nice deep scent. Slight nutty scent is apparent along with a slight amount of sweetness

T: very nice taste. Slight notes of nut as well as a sweetness that seems similar to raspberries? Very nice tasting brew though

D/M: drinks very smooth. Goes down very nice and doesn't drink heavy and also doesn't sit heavy. Very enjoyable overall

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2010 02:30:53 | More by BigPlay1824

Goliath

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear copper color with a large one inch off white head. Good retention and some spotty lace.

The aroma is weak and slightly boring. Overall, it's got a sweet demeanor with some fruity esters and some biscuit notes. The nose doesn't really hint at it being a rye beer. Hopefully the taste can remedy that.

The taste is decent. The name is apropriate, because it's a pretty mild beer. The rye is simple, and easily the showcase. So, this malt forward beer gives a decent bit of grain, with a little bit of bread and oats. Not a ton going on here, but really enjoyable nonetheless and very drinkable.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with plenty of fine carbonation. Really soft feeling.

Drinkability is high. It's a tasty beer, approachable, and enjoyable. A mild rye, can't really complain about that.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2008 22:46:31 | More by Goliath

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

12 oz bottle, picked up in Buffalo.

Pours a clear dark mahogany, light brown/orange, medium sized slightly off white head forms, settles down to a thin ring around the glass, some chunks of lace stick.

Smell is nice, light and nutty, big caramel aroma, lots of biscuit, brown sugar, bread, on the sweet side, a touch of rye bread, raisin, a bit of dark fruit and some floral, smells pretty nice.

Taste is great, big and malty, rye, caramel, biscuit, very nutty in the flavour department, raisin, very bready in the middle, neat toasty finish, just really malty and has some great flavour going on, nicely balanced with just a touch of spice in the finish.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with low to medium carbonation. Wow this stuff is drinkable. I could put back many bottles of this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2009 01:44:03 | More by Viggo

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

05-11-2013 05:30:26 | More by ZAP

climax

Kansas

4.22/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured a nice murky red-brown, 2 fingers of offwhite head stuck around for a while

smell was roasty, rye, chocolate, and marshmellows. a bit of woodiness and ripened fruit and dash of hop bitterness

real nice flavor, rye with roasted chocolate. had a creamy roasted marshmellow flavor, and a bit nutty at the end

smooth rather light bodied, easy carbonation yet crisp. creamy to chalky with a dryish finish

extremely easy to drink given the color, went down real quick and i'd definitely drink again. lotta good attributes, nice choice.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2009 04:36:26 | More by climax

Amalak

New York

4.22/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had out of a 12 ounce bottle.
A- This has a nice dark brown color to it with great head a very good lacing.
S- Slight hoppy scent to it.
T- It has an excellent chilled hop taste to it with rye overtones. One of the better ales I've had in a while.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2009 22:29:47 | More by Amalak

FreshHawk

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Deep amber caramel color with an average sized, off-white creamy and foamy head. A little lacing left.

S - Grainy, caramel, and toffee malt and rye mixed with a peppery spiciness.

T - A lot of malty flavors that follow the nose. Taste a lot like a spiced rye bread. Has a slight zing to it with a hint of lemon and apple. Lots of spices. Moderate floral hops present as well.

M - Medium to light body with decent carbonation. Crisp and fairly smooth. A little light for the flavors but not bad.

D - Fairly easy to drink. Spices and rye might get a little much after a few but it goes down smooth and is a lot like drinking a bread.

Notes: Pretty good beer that is very bread like and definitely is a rye beer. Spices worked quite well and really compliment the wintery feel of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2010 16:43:18 | More by FreshHawk

tjsdomer2

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Decent look overall. Dark brown with a nice layer of foam and lacing throughout. Pretty thick so it's hard to see the carbonation.

Smell: Nice sweet and tangy smell. Fresh rye bread with a peppery bite to it as well. Molasses and brown sugar as well. Very weak hints of coffee.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Mouthfeel is very smooth overall. Kind of reminds me of chocolate and syrup. The taste is great! Initial heavy maltiness from the rye. A very crisp and sour aftertaste that's actually really enjoyable.

Drinkability: Very relaxed beer to drink.

Overall: A good low maintenance drink that's pretty unique.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2010 03:45:21 | More by tjsdomer2

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.22/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into a Hinerland stange. "Serve in a Willi glass." Bottled on 10/23/10

Thanks to my fiancee for this bottle!

A - Mild Winter has a beautiful clear dark bronze-brown almond color with a slightly greyed off-white head. Superb retention and thick lace left on the glass. Beers don't come any sexier than this!

S - The toasted amber malts come through the sharp rye nose well. Good balance right away, it's got a nice crispness to it. Nutty, earthy undertones add some depth as well.

T - Smooth amber toasted malts with a soft and sweet caramel flavor behind. Notes of hazelnut and wood with a balanced rye flavor works very well.

M - Soft and smooth, Mild Winter has a welcoming medium body that's got a faint oily texture as it slides down. The rye definitely bites at the end with a mild carbonation crispness.

D - While I think this is an extraordinarily crafted rye beer, it's not a sessionable one. The flavor does become a little bit cloying to me towards the end of the pint. Fantastic brew and very well-designed label. Not a winter staple for me but it's definitely good here and there.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2010 22:24:17 | More by BeerFMAndy

midworken

Nebraska

4.2/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Nice rustic brown body with shades of orange.
Smell characteristics are quite good... low amount of hop bitterness with malt sweetness of fresh baked bread throughout the scent.

Taste was not as robust as the smelll, but carried much of the same notes as the scent but with a better balance between the rye and hops.

Lower levels of carbonation and not-too-heavy body allowed for a drinkable beer to enjoy next to a fire.

If the body were as delightful as the aromas, this would be a better beer although there isn't too much to complain about.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2011 22:27:55 | More by midworken

brewcrew76

Wisconsin

4.18/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Clear ruby red with a few fingers of tan head that stay fluffys for quite some time.

S - Bready malts, slight mix of biscuit, caramel and toffee, nutty with some spicy rye.

T - Nutty, fresh baked bread and spicy rye.

M - On the light side of medium with good carbonation. Soft and velvety on the tongue.

D - A great session beer. I have gone through several 12 packs already. An easy drinker with a nice rye twist.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2008 00:02:15 | More by brewcrew76