Sofie - Goose Island Beer Co.

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

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

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

ckollias

Maryland

4.11/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed this beer on tap at Old Line Bistro in Greenbelt, MD out of an 8 oz pint glass.

A: Pours an slightly cloudy yellow hue with a minimal head that very quickly dissipates into a wispy lace.

S: Fruity and spicy aromas with some hints of citrus and Belgian yeast.

T: Fruit character up front – mostly apples, pears, and maybe some melon. Finishes a little spicy with a great aftertaste.

M: Medium body and medium carbonation.

O: Excellent Brew – Goose Island never really disappoints. I wound up drinking two of these they were so good.

Serving type: on-tap

01-13-2013 20:47:46 | More by ckollias

thedoubler55

New Jersey

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

A: A light yellow in color, very transparent, a slight head at the top, and left a little lacing around the tulip glass.

S: First smell that is upfront is the sour apple, and some pears, slight hints of cloves and pepper as well.

T: A nice taste of caramel and orange zest, and the nose follows the taste as well, almost to the tee.

M: Light bodied, moderate carbonation

O: A great brew, very refreshing and light, great tasting and well balanced all around.

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2012 21:39:23 | More by thedoubler55

Guden

Maryland

4.63/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- A very cloudy golden blond with no head to speak of.

S- Pineapple, sour apple and damp wood flavors all come through. A little malty and a little fruity, nice blend.

T- Tangy pineapple blends with light bready malt before giving way to some of the grainy malt and wood from the nose.

M- Light body and carbonation, this feels like a typical saison (though a bit lighter in carbonation) and suits the flavors well.

O- This is a great beer up there with some of the better Brett beers I have had and among the best saisons as well.

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2012 03:20:23 | More by Guden

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

2.93/5  rDev -28.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

11 ounce pour - $8.00 at Taco Mac in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Appearance: Served up a hazy, pale straw-hued body with a slim coating of white fizz.

Smell: A scent of casually chewed gum atop notes of reserved malts, coriander seed, meager pear, a little snippet of citrus, and 'nanana.

Taste: Starts with a very soft, very gentle maltiness, then the tranquility is tainted by a large dollop of icing sugar for a jarring initial sweetness. Orchard fruits, pureed bananas, and a nod towards the citrus component. All the while a taste of Chiclets. A little bitterness. Coriander spiciness, but also some pepper. Fruity Chiclet, sugary, lightly spiced finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light body. Medium-plus carbonation.

Overall: It was merely okay. Just barely so-so. I had rather expected this one to please with ease. Time to fire up the Smokey Robinson song, "Tears of a Clown."

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2012 15:07:15 | More by ChainGangGuy

TheRealBigC

Nevada

3.95/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a nice, hazy champagne color. Hint of pepper and hay on the nose. Citrus flavors are immediately present but all too fleeting thanks to a tandem of yeast and wood. There's a touch of vanilla and a surprisingly chewy mouthfeel to it. Dry finish to a mostly excellent Saison.

Serving type: on-tap

08-29-2012 18:33:50 | More by TheRealBigC

FickleBeast

New Jersey

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

On tap at Ale House in sayreville, NJ

Arrives cloudy yellow with a finger of foam atop the pint glass. Aroma is yeasty, banana and rather mild.

Spicy tart green apple flavor with a bit of an underwhelming finish. Thin bodied and extremely drinkable... this doesn't taste like 6.5 abv. That being said it is also a bit simple... I wish there was some more contributions from the yeast or malt.

Overall pretty good but a bit simple... but nothing wrong with with this quaffable brew.

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2012 23:29:14 | More by FickleBeast

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.95/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Max's.

The beer pours a slight hazy gold color with pretty good head retention and lacing. The nose is attractive enough, showcasing clove, light nutmeg, light wheat and some underlying sour. Mouthfeel replicates the nose, but is a bit better than what I was expecting. There is some inital moderate sweetness with some nice clover honey, but then the spice and light sour come on, which completely dries this beer out. Mouthfeel is fairly light, with the finish a bit watery, but otherwise this is a pleasant enough beer. Alcohol is completely undetectable.

This strikes me as a nice summer quaffing beer, one meant for uncritical gulping. Nothing wrong with that I guess...

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2012 19:26:57 | More by johnmichaelsen

merc7186

New York

3.85/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I had this beer poured on tap at Blue Monk in Buffalo NY, poured into a tulip glass.

A: Hazy Golden Straw Hue, Passes Most Light, White Head, Minimal Lacing

S: Lemon, Yeast, White Pepper

T: Lemon, Yeasty, Sage, Mild Pepper

M: Decent Carbonation, Light to Medium Bodied, Semi Dry, Semi Sweet

Overall, an average saison...not a huge seeker IMO.

Serving type: on-tap

06-10-2012 00:56:30 | More by merc7186

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Not sure where or when I first had this, but I recently revisited it on tap at TJ's, Paoli, PA.

Cloudy pale yellow pour with a creamy puff of white head that retained well and left nice lacing on the glass. Aroma of grassy funk, ripe pears and melons. Much of the same in the taste, bready yeast, ripe fruits including banana as well, wet funk and trace of peppery spice. Medium body and easily drinkable making for a nice beer overall.

Serving type: on-tap

05-28-2012 03:50:01 | More by Rifugium

TheBrewo

Michigan

3.98/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This brew was served from the tap at The Old Toad in Rochester, NY. It arrived in an unmarked goblet. The beer glowed a hazy, dark lemonade color. There was a gradation of color through the glass, with the deepest hues closer to the bottom. It held a one finger white head that disappeared quickly, leaving spots of lacing around the glass. No sediment was noted amongst the haze, and carbonation appeared light. The nose was spicy, of cinnamon, raw lemon seed, and strong plastic phenols. The grain was wheaty, wet, and mossy, leaving room for a metallic bite with warmth. Our first impression upon sipping was that this beer had great spiciness. As we sipped, a souring lemon and huge wheat hit first, with chardonnay grape and sweetness. The middle gave us all that spice from the nose, in the form of phenolic clove, nutmeg, lemon rind, black pepper, and booze. This all mixed for a bitter peak. The finish was of more sour wheat touched with a lemon citrus cleanliness. Light grassiness added bitterness on the way back. The aftertaste breathed of white wine booze, musk, oak, and grapey fruitiness. These were evened out by a wheaty and toasty quality through the continued malts. The body was medium, and the carbonation was high. The feel gave a strong astringent pop, drying the tongue and palate. Good slurp and cream, thanks to the carbonation, helped all this along. The abv was appropriate, and the beer drank easily.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this brew was the mix between robust spice and sourness through the end of the flavoring. Everything through the taste was balanced and blended nicely together, making the drinker wanted to come back more with each sip. We were surprised at the wheat inclusions in the grain bill, but in the end this made for a unique Saison, with a bit of a dirty kick.

Serving type: on-tap

04-26-2012 16:19:04 | More by TheBrewo

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.15/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap 3/3/2012 at Track 84, in Warwick, RI served in a tulip glass.

A: The beer is a light yellow color, with a large white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick on the glass.

S: The aroma contains spices, wheat, bananas, Belgian yeast and light caramelized malts.

T: The taste starts out bready with flavors of Belgian yeast, wheat and a hearty but not too heavy malt character. Then sweet flavors of spices, bananas and citrus quickly follow. The hops presence is mild but complementary and brings a good balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet and slightly bready.

M: Crisp and very smooth, light-to-medium body, medium carbonation, finish is clean.

O: Tasty, goes down very easily, not too filling, decent kick, good representation of style, this is a very good lighter Saison worth drinking for a long time.

Serving type: on-tap

04-15-2012 17:18:08 | More by TheManiacalOne

raveskdr

Virginia

4.4/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Smiths Commons on H Street NE in DC. Served in an absolutely fabulous Goose Island glass designed specifically for Sofie.

A - A beautiful golden color with a lingering off white head. The glass presents the beer wonderfully.

S - Faint smells of Belgian funk The nose really does not follow the eventual taste...

T - Fantastic. Bright Belgian funk with some fruitiness to it. Taste is right in the farmhouse wheelhouse.

M - Nice fizzy carbonation that continues throughout the entire glass.

O - A great beer in this series from Goose Island. Very drinkable for a Belgian farmhouse. Fully recommend.

Serving type: on-tap

03-09-2012 01:57:36 | More by raveskdr

dhannes

Wisconsin

2.95/5  rDev -28.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Sampler at Glass Nickel Pizza in Madison.

A=Very pale yellow color...not bad, but not great.

S=Faint...sweetness.

T=Lighter body and flavor than the Matacabras I've had. Citrus presence.

M=A bit lighter than I would have liked.

O=Nothing spectacular...too light in flavor and body for my liking.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2012 17:09:03 | More by dhannes

TWStandley

Massachusetts

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

Had on draft at the Foundry in Somerville. Poured into an over-sized wine glass.

Appeared a see-through golden color, reminded me of cider/champagne. Very small white head disappeared rather quickly.

Smelled a bit tart, some apple, grape, and banana notes. Could detect a bit of a musty smell that actual made it quite appealing.

Tasted like a cross between a cider, a reisling, and a wit-bier. Very nice taste, could definitely picture myself drinking this on the porch in the heat of summer. Slightly tart, slilghtly sweet, well balanced taste.

Light and mellow mouthfeel. Matches the taste quite well. Carbonation spot on.

This was a great beer - one that I had not anticipated liking as much. Very refreshing, yet not boring. Some nice complexity with the yeast flavors. Will seek out and drink again!

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2012 15:17:31 | More by TWStandley

danedelman

Pennsylvania

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

served on tap at Breuklyn Bier Merchants

A-very golden with a nice head

S-lemon peel with a rosey or chamomile smell. nice malt smell too

T-big lemon peel smell which would make this a great summer beer. I 'm drinking this while it is 8 degrees outside. Nice maltiness but the lemon peel really hides it.

M-very light and refreshing.

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2012 22:10:59 | More by danedelman

TMoney2591

Illinois

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

Served in a chalice at the Clybourn brewpub.

Y'know, I think I've had Sofie a couple times before...why the hell haven't I given her the proper respect of a review yet? Let's fix it: She pours a clear pale straw topped by a finger-and-a-half of white foam. The nose comprises lemon zest, sour wheat, pepper, dank oak, and spicy white grapes. The taste holds notes of lemon zest, orange peel, cardamom, wheat, black pepper, and spicy white wine grapes. As nice as the flavors come across, it's not as good as the smell would have me believe. The body is a hefty light, with a moderate carbonation and a dry finish. Overall, a tasty, refreshing Belgian treat. Good times.

Serving type: on-tap

01-13-2012 18:50:28 | More by TMoney2591

deebo

Minnesota

3/5  rDev -27%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On tap at Longfellow Grill

A-Golden, slightly cloudy with no head with tons of tiny CO bubbles.

S-Slightly funky yeast, not much else to note.

T-Belgian yeast is evident, funky yeasty

M-Finishes a bit long, bitter with a fairly long tingly bite.

D-Not good for a saison

O-An okay beer but nothing too exciting. Go for Matilda instead of this one.

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2012 01:18:30 | More by deebo

KDawg

Illinois

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

had this from tap and poured into a snifter. Clear gold color with a small head that doesn't last all too long.

Very aromatic with a good amount of citrus aromas and spices with some florals

medium/full bodied with a very smooth feel. Polished with a touch of funk along with citrus flavors and spices

this is a 2011 bottle. Should develop more funky aromas and flavors with more age, but the citrus base of it right now is very nice

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2011 04:46:52 | More by KDawg

seasonsix

New York

4.13/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - pours a crystal clear bright yellow into a tulip glass, with a small but respectable head.

S - getting that classic saison yeast smell, along with a good amount of fruity/perfume aroma. so far so good!

T - really impressed here. taking a saison style and translating it nearly perfectly into the pale-ale realm. Just the right amount of peppery yeast to counterbalance all the sweetness in this beer. paired with some sautéed scallops.

O - comparing to Capt Lawrence's 'liquid gold', this pulls off the same idea more successfully of taking the backbone of the farmhouse style and re-imagining it as an american pale ale. this is a great all purpose beer for food.

Serving type: on-tap

12-03-2011 15:25:43 | More by seasonsix

bnes09

Illinois

3.45/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Apple juice colored ale with a thin white head. Poor retention and minimal lacing. Surprisingly transparent for the style.

Smell is pretty clean. Mild fruitiness and yeast aroma.

Most predominant flavor is apples with a hint of white grapes. Its almost like a sparkling white wine. Then the yeast flavor comes in. Reserved earthy hop. Different.

Light to medium consistency. Well carbonated. Some yeast texture.

This stuff is ok. Kept reminding me more of wine than beer though. Descent flavors and some complexity but could use more.

Serving type: on-tap

08-17-2011 02:31:22 | More by bnes09

jneiswender

Massachusetts

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

Served on tap at canary in Jamaica plain. Served in a wine class...cool.

A. Wisp of a eggshell head. Nice gold body.

S. White sugar...slight herb.

T. White sugar and light hop flavor..
Some coriander

M. Light

D. Nice and drinkable. I would drink again.

Serving type: on-tap

08-15-2011 21:03:36 | More by jneiswender

nickthetick

Maryland

3.43/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: pours a slightly hazy lemon yellow with a nice finger of frothy head doesn't stick around or hang on the side of the glass.

S: sweet pineapple, apricot, spices, cloves, nutmeg, cardamon, bananas, light malt and bread.

T: sweet yellow fruits and slightly under ripened apples come through first. They are chased by a nice lemon note and finished off with a peppery flavor that compliments well.

MF: as one should expect, middle of the road body and moderate carbonation.

O: good saison that can hold its own but is missing out on six pack potential, especially for this easy of a drinking beer.

Serving type: on-tap

07-21-2011 23:43:51 | More by nickthetick