Mild Winter - Goose Island Beer Co.

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

larsee01

Illinois

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

12 oz poured into Hoegaarden hexagonal pint glass

A--Beautiful, heady pour. Frothy off-white head with decent carbonation. Nice translucent reddish-brown color.

S--Sweet and mild scent. Tiny coffee notes. Malty and reminiscent of sweet pumpernickel with the slightest sour.

T--Very mild bitter hits first. Malt definitely prominent, but with just a tickle of spicy hop for great balance. Rich, bready goodness the lingering nuance. Picking up a touch of graininess and ghosts of iron. Smooth and balanced.

M--Again, smooth. Creamy and medium-bodied, but I'll be damned if this doesn't fly down the hatch. Perfect viscosity on the palate.

D--Unlike the winter we are having here in Chicagoland (home of Goose Island), this is indeed a "mild" winter ale. Not a lot of the bitterness, full-bodiedness or spices you've come to expect in a winter ale. Mild as advertised. Almost like a fall special. Surprisingly good, and goin' down easy!

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2008 04:14:53 | More by larsee01

knowledge

New York

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

Very interesting brew; at first pour, you admire the beautiful head on the pour. Generally, I do this only for first time beers as I only drink from the bottle when I get used to what I'm drinking.

Very hoppy with a mild bitterness. Enjoyable, worthy of your time and a good session. Goes well with cigars!

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2010 02:46:57 | More by knowledge

RunForYourBeer

Indiana

4.18/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Dated 10/24/11
A: Light brown with a thin white head.

S: Roasty chocolate with some and nuttiness. Some grassy hops at the end.

T: Very nutty and roasty. Light chocolate and some coffee are also present.

M: Medium with medium carbonation.

O: Nice winter beer. As the name says its great for a mild winter night.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2011 19:41:42 | More by RunForYourBeer

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.15/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Ruddy red in color, with a cream-toned, dotted head, long-lasting.

Sweet, malty nose, the rye screaming out in the aroma.Earthy, herbal, arousing. Nice.

Warm and lush in the mouth. Sweet malt dominates again. Rich and reddish. Yup, it tastes "red." Love the rye malt character. Very rewarding.

Medium bodied.Long,sweetish finish. Very tasty. I could drink a lot of these, and still stay happy. How about that.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2009 08:50:28 | More by feloniousmonk

samie85

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Bottled on date: 11/03/09

A-Pours a transparent caramel color with a thick, two finger, off white head.

S- I'm getting chocolate and roasted malt upfront and has a spicy character that I presume to be the rye coming through. Reminds me of a dry stout.

T- Pretty interesting. It starts with spicy grain character(probably the rye) and it has chocolate malt middle, and finishes with a spicy finish that is either the rye or a hop character.

M- Pretty smooth and velvety. Medium bodied and low to medium carbonation.

D- Very easy drinking and super session-able. Can't beat the price either. A really nice winter seasonal from Goose Island.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2009 02:40:05 | More by samie85

Newkie

Maryland

4.15/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Nice, big frothy head. Beautiful, brown-ruby color that plays nicely with the tan head that's leaving some lace and sticking around.

S: Smells sweet and toasty. Lots of breadiness in the nose. Some spiciness comes in underneath too. Rather nice.

T: Bready malt with some chocolate flavors and plenty of seasonal spice brings up the back. Some caramel. Some gingerbread-like flavor too. I like the seasonal qualities this beer has.

M: Very drinkable. Rather light in the body, but some great carbonation and mouthfeel.

D: I'll have this one again for sure. A great seasonal session beer from a great brewery.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2010 20:34:36 | More by Newkie

KickInTheChalice

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: Transparent brown color with a touch of ruby tint. A 2 cm off-white head forms on pouring, fading to a thin film after a minute or so. Some lace hugs the glass. All of these things are pretty par for the course for the GI regulars.

Smell: I get vanilla as the strongest scent, but there is a distinct nutty aroma here, as well as some roasted malt. Lighter malt may contribute to sweet smelling caramel in the nose as well.

Taste: The flavor starts out with a roasty malt flavor, hazelnut, lighter bready malt, some caramel, and a hint of vanilla. Light herbal hops combine with the rye to give it just enough balance. Finishes a bit dry, with a touch of bitterness, and a balance of the beginning flavors. Quite nice.

Mouthfeel: Medium body, with a feel that is leaning toward creamy, but still with a bit of nagging fizzy bubbles that I get in so many low ABV GI's. Stays somewhat dry form the rye.

Drinkability: I like this better than any of the other GI seasonals, and right now I would say that it holds up to the year round offerings as well.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2010 07:47:49 | More by KickInTheChalice

Giggy

Michigan

4.15/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The name on this one says it all. It is mild and mellow, easy going and tranquil, serene and sedate. Dark amber. Sweet and a touch fruity. Very easy to drink and quite tasty. It is what it claims to be - a mild winter warmer. Glad I bought a 6 pack. Ready to open my 2nd.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2010 21:39:11 | More by Giggy

schoolcb

Texas

4.15/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy dark amber. Small head that persisted. Sweet malt aroma and fruity esters. Sweet malt, toasty notes, fruity esters. Medium body, carbonation in the medium level.

This brewery is consistent. Irked that they aren't brewing the hexnut brown any longer, more irked that they have sold their soul to the devil. Drinking as much as I can now in case big brother starts messing with the recipes!

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2011 19:46:35 | More by schoolcb

JEdmund

Kansas

4.15/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Dark cranberry red, clear; good head formation and lacing

Really inviting aroma of milk chocolate, caramel, and bread; nothing big or assertive, but soft and just right; a dash of herbal hop, too

Flavor is mild, even more so than I recall from this last year, but it’s a total winter session beer in my opinion. Just so easy to drink. The flavor is comforting, with slight sweetness coming from the chocolate, caramel, and toasty bread notes. Just a bit of hops to dry the finish and keep me coming back for more. Fine level of carbonation, body is light-medium--not thin, but certainly light

This beer goes down quickly! It’s a treat and makes me think I’ll be buying more very soon. One of my favorite Goose Island Beers.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 03:22:52 | More by JEdmund