Sofie - Goose Island Beer Co.

clayrock81

Virginia

3.95/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Had a 2012 bottle. Clearish, seethrough pale gold with fluffy head that borders on annoying but it died just quick enough. A clovelike yeasty aroma first hits me, then some more peppery spice and citric notes, mostly orangepeel, along with something akin to sour apple or pear (a touch of funk one might say). This beer is light, easy to drink although at times there is this puckering tartness that doesn't detract from the beer but makes it a very slow sipper. For some reason the not-real-word "wineish" comes up as I seem to get this sour apple/pear and white grape taste, then the Belgian charteristics come out with a spicy orange citric taste and touches of sweet fruit. The yeast keeps it smooth and the carbonation keeps it lively and it's an all around relaxing ale to sip on, but one of those rare beers that I simply would not want a second bottle.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 12:56:54 | More by clayrock81

mudbug

Oregon

4.41/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

From the bomber bottled on 7/24/12 into a tulip results in a very pretty straw colored body topped by a two fingered bone white rocky head that slowly recedes to a thin cap of foam with moderate lacing. A bit hazy but small bubbles continue to rise keeping things lively
Aroma is lemon zest and new mown hay, clean soapiness, slightly subdued but pleasant.
Taste follows the aroma with a lemon tang, wet hay and very juicy.Just a hint of funk
Quite a satisfying thirst quencher. Easy to take large draughts. very satisfying
A very nice not over complicated saison/farmhouse and quite a bargain to boot at about 5 ducats per bottle!
Will buy again!

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 01:55:23 | More by mudbug

Andrew041180

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A - On tap in some kind of wide-mouthed Chimay chalice. Nice job with the pour, about a half finger of white head on top of a light golden, fairly highly carbonated beer.

S - I don't know if it was the presentation or if it was just the end of the night, but I barely smelled anything. This was a common theme for the night. I do better on this element at home.

T - Much better than I expected! Light and mildly fruity. I don't drink a lot of Belgians, but mostly because I've been loving IPA's so much. This one may change that trend. I don't really have the vocab to describe the flavors yet.

M - Light and bubbly. BA description listed something about champagne, which this actually reminds me of somewhat.

O - Very pleasant, easy-to-drink Belgian style. Would absolutely have again.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2013 01:35:43 | More by Andrew041180

mecummins

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A- poured a deep straw, lemon color with a 2 1/2 finger head. Delicate spotty lacing clung up the sides of the glass. Hazy and gorgeous looking

S- lots of citrus (lemon, bit if grapefruit and orange zest). Some welcome funk to balance it out. Really a delicious scented beer

T- taste is very much on the nose. Heavy zing of citrus with the lemon flavor dominate, still a hint if the grapefruit and orange zest. The funk is present and just enough to bring an earthiness. A slight spice note towards the end

M- light mouthfeel with a good amount if carbonation. A medium finish with the spice hitting you at the very end.

O- really a wonderful example of a delicate farmhouse ale. Well rounded and extremely food friendly

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 22:12:36 | More by mecummins

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.8/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

a little over hyped I think, at least the 2013 version is, possibly a considerable step down from other vintages. this pours from its new wine bottle format a hazy champagne color, pale and yellow, grassy, with just a small white head. the nose is fruity like apples, not as coriander heavy as I remember it being, and yeasty. a little tart and funky, but not as exciting to my palate as I think it used to be. I taste green apples too, tart and sweet at the same time, although this beer adds a dry element to that flavor. wine-like fruity vibes, and a similar acidity. I view this so much more as a fall beer, rather than a spring one. its got all the leaf changing colors feel to it. really mellow on the citrus, and I don't get any vanilla at all. ultra bright carbonation and a clean dry finish. light bodied and drinkable, but I wonder if the sale of goose island has effected the recipe or the quality of this beer. I remember it being so wonderful and interesting, and now it just seemed like another half hearted saison. maybe its me, and ive had too many good beers to recognize that this one is special, but it seems somehow dumbed down to me now.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 17:38:24 | More by StonedTrippin

JohnnyBarman

Ontario (Canada)

4.43/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2013 edition, first Goose Island brew that I've been able to pick up in Ontario. Handsome wine-like bottle.

Poured into a Duvel tulip. A hazy lemon-gold brew, with about an inch and a half of head that recedes into a thick ring. Some lacing flecks here and there, and some superfine sediment swirl in the glass.

Nose is simply stellar. It's unmistakeably saison with some definite acidity and mild funkiness, but what really sets this brew apart is the citrus. A brilliant blend of lemon zest, orange peel and grapefruit flesh hits you hard in the nostrills.

The wine shows itself in the first sip, and it just improves from there. Very tasty saison indeed, with that nice acidity checked with white wine, lemon, orange, straw, pepper, spices, and a very mild yeast. Extremely refreshing.

Juicy feel, effervescent, puckery and sweet at the same time.

First brew from Goose Island to come to Ontario, and it's a thumping good'un. Top class saison, one I will be back for a few times before it's gone.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 02:36:07 | More by JohnnyBarman

JerzDevl2000

New Jersey

4.44/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Picked up this beer at top Hops a few weeks back, excited to finally give this a try. Sure enough, this lived up to the hype and without a doubt, this had to be the easiest Saison that I've ever had. The spice really wasn't here and the effervescence from the champagne really came through from start to finish. Goose Island certainly took a risk with this offering and came out better in the end for it!

The pour was good - golden, with some swirls in it and a head that was sufficient if nothing else. No lacing to be had here but with a beer this thin, I wasn't expecting one at all. Then came the aroma - lots of champagne yeast, white wine, and citrus and the mouthfeel has the consistency of the latter. It felt like a mimosa combined with the sourness of a farmhouse, minus the spice and booze. The result was a beer that went down so easily and packed the most subtle of punches, while never seeming offensive in any way. It was lively from start to finish with just enough straw, grass, and funk in here to remind me of what style this fell under.

The alcohol was spot-on too and I liked the buzz that I picked up as I made my way through this. Like the Ommegang beers, this easily matched up and may have even surpassed its counterparts from overseas while coating my mouth in the softest and slickest citrus aftermath in its wake. Somehow, everything fit in harmoniously here and this is a beer that I will be buying again, now that Spring has finally sprung. Worth a go if you love beers that are beautiful in their subtlety while pushing the edge of what's possible at the same time!

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 09:04:44 | More by JerzDevl2000

escapegoat

Georgia

4.28/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Based on notes from a 2012 bottle and growler fill from The Beer Growler Windward, Alpharetta, GA.

A - Golden haze
S - Honey and light malt
T - German pils followed by a beautiful bouquet of Chardonnay. Delicious.
M - Maybe a bit of wheat in there, but a light, doughy mouthfeel.

O - An American classic interpretation of the Saison. Different from any I've tasted, in a very good way. Different American interpretation of the style than Hennepin, both are great in their own way. WIll seek out from now on.

Serving type: growler

05-04-2013 03:53:46 | More by escapegoat

Zaplt

California

4.5/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - Thick white head with decent retention and minimal lacing. Clear golden hue. Beautiful.

Aroma - Floral, sweet, rose, orange, fruity notes, slight delicious funky notes, pepper notes.

Taste - Warm bready malt profile with some tart fruit, orange, with a nice spicy bite.

Overall - Really good brew. Lovely balance and well brewed.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 03:06:31 | More by Zaplt

tastybeer

North Carolina

4.05/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Enjoyed approx. a year after the 2012 bottled on date....

A: Pale gold straw colored and clear beer (the yeast is still in the bottle), topped with a towering foamy pile. Maybe too vigorous a pour by me.

S: Aroma is bright and and sun shiny all around. Smells of sweet lemon, light doughy grains, clean spice, misc. fruit and flowers. It has a big nice soft soapy fragrance overall.

T: Fun to drink. Peppery, fruity, tropical, lemony, and tart somehow all smoothed together nicely.

M: Creamy, frothy, swirly on the palate.

O: I like it. I find myself enjoying this in a 'pretty good' kind of way.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 01:33:46 | More by tastybeer

HattedClassic

Virginia

3.94/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The review is based on 2013 bottle. The first review (4.5) was based on a draft and unknown year pint.

Appearance:
The beer pours a slightly haze pale gold with white carbonation.

Smell:
The smell isn't as earthy as most saisons. I get a slight hint of coriander and grassy smells in addition to some orange peel smell and hop smell.

Taste:
The beer has a strong citrus taste to it and the coriander makes an appearance as well. After letting it warm a little, the beer has a slightly earthy aftertaste.

Mouthfeel:
Crispy feel and medium-bodied. This saison actually feels a little heavier than most other saisons that I've had.

Overall:
A decent saison and interesting interpretation of the style. I might buy this beer again sometime in future but probably to shake things up and not as a regular staple.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 17:48:22 | More by HattedClassic

rodkin

Missouri

3.88/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Bottled on 12/13/12.

Pours a hazy straw yellow, about 2 finger fluffy white head, which reduces slowly. Visible carbonation running up the glass. Decent lacing.

Smell is wheat, yeast, orange, peppercorn, lemon. Slightly spicy, slightly sour. Balanced.

Taste is wheaty, slight bitterness, yeasty, little bit of spice. The citrus and fruity tartness from the nose are sadly lacking.

Mouthfeel is light, crisp, heavily carbonated.

High drinkability, crisp and refreshing. Great for these warmer days.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 03:41:57 | More by rodkin

MrKennedy

Australia

4.05/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2012 12oz bottle, thanks to Knapp85 for hitting this want! Into a Mikkeller wine glass.

Really light golden colour, bright white head on top with some faint lacing from the leftovers of the miniscule in size bubbles. Slightly hazy appearance.

Smells of lemon and orange peel along with pepper and a little bit of faint spice, maybe coriander, but certainly lacking the strength of power of coriander. Interesting little influence from the wine barrel, some depth to the chardonnay aroma.

Follows on very much from the smell, only with the barrel influence being milder. Lemon is prominent along with the orange and just a little bit of spice. Not in your face, but executed well.

Lower carbonation and the fact that the carbonation is really tiny bubbles makes this very drinkable and lightens the body. Well rounded finish, not dry.

Well done beer. Not a million things going on, but complex enough and very satisfying.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 09:31:52 | More by MrKennedy

KKD

Connecticut

4.39/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Serving Type: Bottle

A: Pale gold,thick, full, and white head. The head sticks around and, though cloudy, carbonation is visible and steady.

S: Lemon, orange, grass

T: A bit of citrus fruits and lemon, bread and slight peach up front

M: Crisp, Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

O: Very enjoyable, reminiscent of a saisons style beer.. great stuff, certainly worth revisiting.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 20:27:33 | More by KKD

Dave1999

Virginia

4.01/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a cloudy yellow with a nice bright white head.

The smell is sour fruits, lemons and some vinegar.

The taste is sour lemons, sweet sugar and oranges.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium carbonation.

Overall a nice saison, light and fruity, very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 00:50:26 | More by Dave1999

dar482

New York

4.01/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

It comes in a clear yellow color. Not hazy like Hennepin.

There is a fresh hay aroma. There are some spice and lemon.

The flavor has some good standard saison notes. There is lemon and wheat.

The body is very light because it is not filtered. It's quite refreshing, but for me, it comes at around $8-9 a bomber. It's refreshing and nice, but not something I would go crazy to go after.

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2013 03:27:44 | More by dar482

pkalix

California

4.26/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

brilliant straw yellow in a tall paulaner glass (yeah, i know, but it was what i was using for the evening), lots of effervescenceand a brilliant white head to top it off!
sour, vinegar-y fruit aroma; a belgium wanna-be for certain....
taste is the same as the smell. a bit sour, like an over-ripened fruit, very fruit-y. still very carconated. some orange in there, maybe a little lemon.
mouthfeel is sweet, yet over-ripened bitter (yes, you can taste it in the 'feel').
overall, it's a decent try at the style. i read a lot of good reviews of Goose Island brews and this is my first one. i wonder what else they brew?

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 02:07:16 | More by pkalix

flayedandskinned

California

3.19/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

Bottled on: 12/13/12
Poured into a standard tulip.

Appearance: Pours a hazy straw yellow with a pure white 2 finger head with some halfway decent head retention, little lacing. Pretty average and innocuous looking saison.

Aroma: Musty hay, pepper, zesty lemon peel, tart pear and some simple, cracker like pilsner malt tucked neatly underneath a thin layer of grassy hops.

Taste: Spicy yeast right upfront; black pepper, pear and clove. Impressions of orange accentuate the snappy, grassy hops nicely. The beer finishes slightly tart with a kiss of bready, vanilla infused malt preceding it.

Mouthfeel: Thin, watery and way too low of carbonation to be indicative of the style.

Overall: While this beer is certainly complex in it's subtle nuances, the mouthfeel and low carbonation really detract from the beer's overall texture. The beer just sort of sits on your palate instead of being lifted up by carbonation. I wish this beer had a more assertive citric presence to liven up the palate a bit. I'm pretty disappointed by this beer because I have heard great things about it.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 02:33:26 | More by flayedandskinned

Greggy

Minnesota

4.49/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle poured into a Cosendonk Tulip glass.

A- Pours a hazy yellow color with ample sediment and a thick white head. Lacing is present.

S- Excellent nose here. Musty with lemon and grassy notes. Some acidity can be smelled amongst the great funk.

T- Starts off nice and funky with lemon peel, some melon and then transitions into some nice acidic funk. The wild yeast really comes through here. The finish is long and dry.

M- Full carbonation here.

O- Great beer, very complex yet simple and quenching.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 18:41:43 | More by Greggy

scottbrew4u

Pennsylvania

3.86/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A: 2012 bottle pours a slightly hazed pale straw color with a bubbly white head. Good lacing on the glass.
S: Green apples, peppercorns, coriander, husky grains, apricots, mild sourness and floral hops.

T: Crisp tartness, husky grains, fresh apricots, citrus, floral and spicy hops all balancing each other.

M: Crisp light body and bubbly carbonation appropriate for style.

O: Tartness is refreshing for this beer and the smell and taste come off fresh and complex. Definitely worth a try!

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 03:02:38 | More by scottbrew4u

denver10

Colorado

4.24/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Got to tag this review with the header that this was a '12 bottle. Drinking a '13 right now and digging it, but it is not quite the same as the aged '12 was. Rating reflect both experiences, write up reflects the '12 experience.

Pours a light whitish-yellow, hazy, with bubbles rising to the surface and a nice soapy white head. Aroma offers some funk, florals,lemon and its rind, slight cracker, and as it warms the wine barrel comes out. Flavor follows suit and is juicy, somewhat sweet, and slightly tart. Mouthfeel is light and fluffy and supercarbonated. Overall, a fantastic saison. So light and refreshing and highly drinkable, stuff is dangerous.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 22:45:46 | More by denver10

gr0g

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle.

Slightly hazy, straw colored. Head formation and retention is quite good. A bit of lacing and good stickiness in the remaining head. Slight mustiness in the aroma. Yeast notes of medicine bottle and some clove also show up on the nose. A nice vinous aroma overall, with an acidic white wine character.

Slight tartness on the palate, leading to a dry finish. Some light citrus character amidst a light malt body. Cracker-like grain profile. The 6.5% ABV does not intrude at all, and the fine carbonation, though a bit too harsh, pairs with the flavor profile to create a refreshing saison that won't knock you out. A light, dry saison that's at its best during the warm summer months.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 03:27:48 | More by gr0g

ummswimmin

New Jersey

3.86/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

On the initial pour I got a pretty decent amount of foam. The head left little pillows of lacing on the side of the glass. The coloring is straw (cloudy yellow) in my tulip glass.

Off the top I get the belgian sour from the yeast. There is also sweetness in there. This makes for a good example of a saison. I like the balance in there.

I think this would make for a very good choice in the summer or fall.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 03:00:12 | More by ummswimmin

Pencible

Virginia

4.08/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: This poured a cloudy straw with rocky white head.
S: It smelled like tart lemon zest and persimmon, with some sour apple and spicy Belgian yeast.
T: It tasted like tart lemon zest and sour apple and clove, with some spicy Belgian yeast and sweet candi sugar. It had a clean and sweet and sour aftertaste.
M: It was somewhat thick with lots of carbonation. Full and lively body.
D: This was a very nice light Belgian ale. The scent was very dry and crisp, and the taste was well balanced. The body was appropriate and built to age. The finish was really smooth, so it was quite easy to drink fresh, but seemed intended to improve further with age. Solid brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 21:01:14 | More by Pencible

ehammond1

California

4.18/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On Tap (2011)

Churchill's Pub & Grille
San Marcos, CA

(Aged for 1+ year)

Hazed light golden with a thin, creamy near-white head. Lots of messy lacing left down the glass. Very pretty saison.

Aroma of green fruits (pears, grapes, perhaps some light apple), along with a peppery yeast, and a bit of a tang/spice note. Complete, though not bold or particularly aggressive.

The flavor comes together very nicely. Green and mild citrus fruits, pepper, slightly tangy yeast, and a bit of sweet bread crusts. Lovely and incredibly drinkable.

Medium bodied with moderate to high carbonation.

I wish I'd ordered another glass. I really enjoyed this.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2013 16:07:30 | More by ehammond1