Sofie - Goose Island Beer Co.

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Elegant saison, a little funky yeast aroma, along with white pepper. Pours light colour with lots of foamy head. Refreshing taste and mouthfeel, very good with supper. Elegant and not compelx, with a bit of the orange peel. Nothing really funky about the taste.Lace lines.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2010 02:06:23 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.38/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

"From birth to age 18, a girl needs good parents, from 18 to 35 she needs good looks, from 35 to 55 she needs a good personality, and from 55 on she needs cash."

--Sophie Tucker

Chardonnay gold with Champagnesque carbonation and a pillowy crown of cumulus cloud white. The airy foam isn't very sticky. A few small scraps of suds can be seen clinging to the glass, but don't appear as if they're in it for the long haul. Thankfully, subsequent pours look better and the lace is more adherent.

The aroma is incredible and absolutely nails the style. The wild yeast provide the usual barnyard character (moderate) with a wonderful orange peel citrusiness following close behind. If the flavor is even half this complex and appealing, this will be successful beer.

First of all, Sofie tastes authentically Belgian, which is far from a given when it comes to American-brewed, Belgian-style beer. Congrats to the masters at Goose Island for that. Brettanomyces was a nice touch and is present in precisely the right amount for those craft beer lovers who like da funk, but don't want to be blasted with it each time they upend the glass.

The other design decisions were spot-on as well. That is, aging in wine barrels and using orange peel. There are so many things going on with each mouthful that it boggles the taste buds (in a good way). Tart has a slim lead on bitter, and sweet is a distant third.

Specifics include untoasted wheat, orange and lemon zest, white grapes, white pepper and a soft and well-integrated horseblanketiness. Perhaps the Amarillo hops (an inspired choice) is adding to the orange juiciness. This would be a great warm weather picnic beer.

Unfortunately, the mouthfeel has seen better days. It was overbubbled at the start and passed through the ideal zone all too quickly. As always, bottle-conditioning is hit-or-miss. With better bubbles... hell's bells, this is great beer anyway.

Sofie Belgian Style Ale 2009 is one of my new favorites from a brewery that does much more right than it does wrong. I'm sure there are a few American-brewed, Belgian-style saisons out there that rival this one, but I can't think of any at the moment. What a tremendous surprise.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2010 14:51:17 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.35/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

very hazy medium yellow color came gurgling out of the bottle, quickly coming to a head that reached a height of maybe two inches. There was then a rich coating of side glass lace that thoroughly coated the glass with some nice carbonation being visible throughout the session.

The aroma was highly charged on this one. Lots of light fruit swirling around with a healthy dose of spice in it as well. Nice touches of coriander, lemon, hints of pepper coming through, with a touch of pears warming up to it as it came up to room temperature. The initial taste was peppery, with a rush of lemon following suit almost immediately. A wonderful sense of light fruit really just ran all over this one. I was quite impressed I have to admit. Smooth mouth feel was more the adequately carbonated and really just kept the profile popping throughout. An easy sipper, the moderate ABV lended itself well to a warm late summer evening.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2011 04:11:03 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

4.05/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Jacob for sharing this one today.

A: The pour is a pale golden yellow color with a fluffy white head.

S: The nose is quite fruity with plenty of citrus, pears, and maybe some melon. There's a definite spice aroma along with some yeast and perhaps even a bit of tartness.

T: I was very pleased by the nose, but the flavors didn't quite live up to that. The spices are much more pronounced and the tartness doesn't make an appearance either. There is still some nice fruit character, namely apples, pears, and bananas, however.

M: The body is medium with a very nice tingly carbonation which gives the beer a bit more of a light feeling on the tongue.

D: I liked this much better than some of Goose Islands special releases, but I still don't know how much of this I could drink. A nice beer to have a small pour of, however.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2010 06:57:51 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

G: Poured from the bottle into a tulip glass.

A: Light gold with a tremendous bone white head and a stunning amount of lacing.

S: A bit of yeasty funk over a slight peppery aroma. Mild hops underneath, though they don't challenge the yeast character. Also, some white wine characteristics--green grapes and a bit of sweet, tart fruits.

T: Little bit of funk combined with some pepper flavors. Much the same as the nose, but the taste has more distinctive fruity characteristics with the green grapes/apple coming through over the top of the pepper. Nice orange presence throughout.

M: Fairly light with a good bite of carbonation. Not much of an alcohol presence. Fantastic wine barrel and dry finish.

D: Quite refreshing. Nice and complex. An excellent saison.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2009 00:54:48 | More by Thorpe429

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

brentk56

North Carolina

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

June 01, 2009 bottling

Appearance: Pours a hazy pale lemon color with a three finger head; great retention and plenty of lacing left behind

Smell: Lemon meringue pie; very tart with plenty of lemony citrus esters

Drinkability: Cracker malt and lemony citrus, up front, with a growing puckery sourness that develops by mid-palate; after the swallow, Curaçao and oak enter the picture, adding tropical complexity and woody dryness, along with a grassy bitterness in the aftertaste

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with moderate to high carbonation

Drinkability: A bit like a saison/wit/wild ale combination, this is a signature ale for Goose Island's Belgian chops

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2010 01:54:45 | More by brentk56

UCLABrewN84

California

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

Thanks to AndresR for sharing this one at Benny’s tasting.

2010 vintage. Bottled 2/19/10.

Pours a hazy yellow with a foamy white head that settles to a small cap on top of the beer. Thick foamy rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, yeast, wine, and wood. Taste is much the same with a slight funk in the flavor as well. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a very crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that is tasty and easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 01:35:53 | More by UCLABrewN84

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

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

Bottle: Poured a deep hazy beige/orangey color ale with a huge foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of medium-sweet Belgian malt with some notes of orange peel and lightly tart whine wine is quite enticing. Taste is a wonderful mix between some tart notes from the wine barrel with some refreshing notes of Curacao and a nice attenuated Belgian malt backbone. Body is quite full with good carbonation and no apparent alcohol. Very well done overall with good drinkability factor and some good complexity.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2010 02:25:25 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

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

Duvel, you have company!

Goose Island may have hit a home-run here. Sofie begins with a murky canary-yellow with very lively carbonation, fair head formation, retention, and lacing. A fair but sturdy look.

Aromas of citrusy esters, peppery phenols, and delicate pilsner malts set the stage for a light musty, cork-like dusty note that gives it just a little more than the standard Belgian Pale Ale.

Sweet up front with pilsner malts, cracker-like lightness, and confection sweetness. Lemon-like acidity, limes, and background notes of tropical fruits (appricots, pineapple) usher in the estery mix. White pepper, cumin, orange peel, and hop earthiness come in late with sharp and decisive variations.

Somewhat fuller and sweet to initial sip but the beer quickly morphs into a peppery, citrusy, acidic dryness that makes drinkability effortless- this is where the Duvel comparisons make moste sense.

Great job Goose Island for a Belgian worthy Saison style beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2009 04:31:10 | More by BEERchitect

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Goose Island Sofie 2011
22 oz. bottle, dated 09/15/11 1658
$7.99 @ Whole Foods Market, Union Square, NY

The two words that came to mind when I first put Sofie to my lips were 'sophisticated' and 'refined'. It's easy to make a Belgian-style beer that's bursting with flavor, but it's not as easy to do it while keeping the yeast in-check with the other flavors.

It pours a hazy, deep golden body beneath a creamy head of white. The head retention and lacing are good... it'll rise up on you if you're not careful, so pour it gently until the very end of the glass.

In the nose it's displays a light, delicately sugary malt and the juice of fresh, crisp and tart baking apples. Some wet wood and minor spice rounds it out.

In the flavor the apples clearly return, along with the gently sugary malt, but there's also a delicate carpet of spiciness for them to roll around on. I'm assuming there's Brettanomyces involved, but I can't say for sure. The tartness is clear, but I also find a bit of straw, and some mild 'leathery' notes. There's no mettalic zing to it though, nor any real barnyard, mud, or manure. If it's Brett, they've kept it very clean. A mild touch of coriander appears, and there's some gentle peppery quality to it. A bit of vanilla, and some mild orange/citrus rounds it out with a nice creamsicle note. It's light and delicate, but it's actually quite full of flavor, and it's more complex than it initially seems to be - and that's exactly what I mean by 'refined'. Too often American brewers over-do the yeast and spices, and each one stands out on its own, whereas most Belgian brewers try for a spice component that lies in the background, not necessarily revealing its complexity. This has that. It has sweetness, tartness, vanilla, citrus, sandalwood, and spice all putting something in, and at the same time pulling together to balance it. Superb...really nicely balanced and polished. It finishes in different ways as you progress through the glass, but mainly it's dry with a bit of residual tartness that then fades to leave some ever-so-subtly-chalky orange peel and old wood behind.

In the mouth it's medium-light in body with a bit of a dexrinous character, but still "light". And it's just gently zesty, and mainly 'airy' on the palate.

Overall, it's a remarkably charming and seductive ale. I think that almost anyone could fall in love with this beer. Worth seeking out!

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2012 15:18:37 | More by NeroFiddled

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

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

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

GooseI sland Sophie

Clouded, "white", prodigious head, lively and lovely.

Beautiful, spicy aromatics, coriander, ginger, clove....bright and sprightly.

Spice hits the palate right up front, very spritzy, with delightful spice...Mmmm, smooth,wheaty, easy-drinking, delicious....nice, grainy/grassy texture. Some malty, spicy flavor, then all is smooth...

Spice never quits, never never flags...really great saison!

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2010 00:27:44 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

4.53/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

The beer pours a hazy pale gold color with a thick frothy white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is great! It has a light and fruity pale malt scent along with a touch of orange peel and Belgian yeast esters. It's incredibly complex with a light wine barrel aging character as well. The taste is great as well. It's light and quaffable, but with tons of flavor and yeast character. It goes down so easy and finishes dry with bits of orange peel and citrus. Wow, what an incredibly drinkable beer. The mouthfeel is good. It is a low bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a masterpiece of a Belgian pale. It's smooth as hell and so tasty. Good work Goose Island.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

10-07-2010 00:05:55 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

3.63/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Beer is yellow and mosltly clear with a white head of small and medium bubbles.

Aroma is overall a little weak but its fruity with a mild tartness to it.

Beer is quite tart, mild fruitiness in the midpalate. No sweetness up front. Beer is medium to light in body and the carbonation is low on the palate, just like in the glass. Beer is kind of boring, not boring just plain. Its a very mild wild ale. Overall its OK.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

09-08-2010 17:55:23 | More by drabmuh

Mora2000

Texas

3.9/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to thirdeye11 for sharing this bottle.

Pours a hazy yellow with a large white head. The aroma is wheat with some Belgian yeast. The flavor is lemon, orange, wheat, light funk and some Belgian yeast. Some other fruit flavors are present including apples.Thin mouthfeel and high carbonation.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

02-05-2010 21:25:44 | More by Mora2000

zeff80

Missouri

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

Had this for Thanksgiving dinner.

A - Poured out a clear, golden yellow color with a white, bubbly, two-finger head of foam. Good rentention and left soapy trails of lace.

S - It smelled of yeast, grains and some spiciness. There was a subtle funky aroma, too.

T - It had a nice toasty caramel flavor with spicy notes and strong yeast flavors. There was a slight funk to it, too.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A light to medium-bodied ale with a dry, snappy finish.

D - This is a very good saison.It went really well with Thanksgiving dinner.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

11-27-2009 21:28:07 | More by zeff80

metter98

New York

3.95/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: It poured clear light yellow into a snifter glass with a large, white foamy head. A moderate level of carbonation is evident from the rising bubbles.
S: The nose has some funky citrusy, floral and sour aromas. It's not quite what you would expect from a typical saison.
T: Orangey flavors really stand out in the taste, along with some notes of spices.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate and very smooth from the level of carbonation.
D: This beer is a good sipper yet is also refreshing at the same time.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

04-29-2010 02:26:57 | More by metter98

Gueuzedude

Arizona

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

June 2009 Bottle Date; Sampled October 2009
A solid pour into my large Tripel Karmeliet tulip produces a fat-three-finger thick, pale tan colored head. The beer is a pale honey color that shows a lightly hazed, straw gold color when held up to the light. It is amply carbonated with a whole lot of streaming bubbles flowing up through it. The aroma smells of hay, orange blossoms, orange zest, a touch of musty phenolics, lots of pale grain notes, a sort of weed like dried grassiness, some light herbal honey aromatics and a healthy grain note that becomes more prominent the more you dig into the aroma. As the beer warms the honey like note gets more prominent, though it always remains well balanced with the other aromatic notes. A touch of alcohol is also noticeable as the beer warms.

My first sip of this tastes quite dry from beginning through the end of the flavor profile. There is a grassy herbal note that lightly spices this beer as well as some spiciness that reminds me of black pepper, orange zest, some turpene like clove notes, some grassy notes that seem to taste a touch like sage.. This has a lively, peppery carbonation that provides lots of carbonic acid to the finish. This has a underlying mustiness to it and a general earthiness that makes me think that a Dupont derived strain of yeast might have been used in this beer. The flavor has a really nice pale grain, pale cracker grain character that is really quite prominent.

My second pour of this is quite murky and full of sediment. Since I don't spend so much time examining the nose, the beer is also quite a bit more carbonated, but the sediment doesn't seem to have affected the flavor too much. Both the nose and the aroma see me noticing a bit more fruitiness than before; it almost reminds me a bit of some oaked Sauvignon Blanc and / or Chardonnay grapes somehow; there are also hints of melon, pear and a suggestion of kiwi. The beer definitely is quite herbal / grassy, with perhaps a touch of yeasty wholesomeness that mixes with the crushed grain notes and provides a touch more hearty character to this otherwise light beer. Speaking of which, this beer is nice and light bodied; while dry, there is enough body to not make this seem watery at all. This has a certain palate presence that provides just a touch of fullness to this beer; it is quite nicely balanced towards being quaffable and refreshing. There is a very subtle oak influence, one that I likely wouldn't have picked out if I didn't know about it, but it does add some spiciness and some texture to this beer that wouldn't otherwise be here.

The aroma of this beer has a soft sweetness to it (the honey and orange like notes) that doesn't translate to the mostly dry flavor. I definitely like this character in my Saisons, which should be quite dry. This is a very nice beer; it has a really nice mix of flavors / aromas and is quite easy drinking. I could easily stand to have quite a few of these bottles about as these will likely age for at least another year quite well. Without having had Juliet yet, I almost wonder if this is the better beer of the two; I'll have to confirm that when I crack a bottle of Juliet. This is definitely a fantastic beer that I find quite enjoyable. My 22oz bottle of this is too quickly gone & I definitely wish I had more of these.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

03-07-2010 16:26:16 | More by Gueuzedude

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
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

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

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.43/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is courtesy of BEERchitect, cheers Kevin!

2009 vintage pours a very effervescent straw color with 3 fingers of fluffy ivory colored head. Hazes a bit a the bottom, duh... Average head retention & lacing

S: Grassy with apple peels, plus lemons

T: Apple peels, white grape, lemony hops & a wee bit of dirt & tartness up front. Tartness with a bit of golden delicious apple & lemon zest as this warms, slight dryness & a touch of Chardonnay. finishes dry with cidery character, with a touch of coriander & white pepper thrown in, plus slight acidic twang at the very end. Might just taste bit too clean to pull a 5.0..

MF: Light & spritzy, much winey & cidery aspects to this

Extremely drinkable, abv is completely hidden. This is very quaffable. Would love to age a bottle to see how this progresses in a few years, but I doubt that will happen...

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

01-09-2010 03:40:07 | More by russpowell

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

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

This poured out as a slightly hazy golden color, it had a foamy white head on top that faded into a thin film over top of the beer. The smell of the beer is a grainy and has plenty of the citrus fruit aromas on the nose. The taste of the beer is a little spicy with a fruity kick to it in the finish. The hops balance out the mix. The mouthfeel of the beer is sharp and clean feeling. A good healthy amount of carbonation in this beer livens it up a bit. Overall I thought this beer was quite refreshing and enjoyable. I could see myself possibly drinking this one again some day.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

09-02-2012 19:13:02 | More by Knapp85

Halcyondays

California

4.03/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz. bomber, shared with my dad,

A: Pours a beautiful deep gold with a frothy white head, leaving nice Belgian lace.

S: Wet hay, grass clippings, very rustic, perhaps a bit of Brett.

T: Grassy earthy hops with a nice bready malt make a very nice flavour. Notes of lemon as well. To my palate more of a Belgian Pale Ale than a saison, but you could go either way. Anyway, it's tasty.

M: Smooth, creamy, medium-bodied, elegant.

D: This is a very nice American made Belgian-style beer. It reminds me a bit of New Belgium Le Fleur Misseur. I'm very glad to see more Goose Island around, everything I've had from them so far has been top notch.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

04-17-2010 03:17:26 | More by Halcyondays

emerge077

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Bright jewel orange body, with an initial burst of meringue foam that threatens to spill over. Tiny flecks of sticky lace. The energetic head soon deflates to a broken skim. Dominant orange in the nose, very soft and intriguing. The citrus twang intertwines with light herbal coriander touches, and a vague underdeveloped mustiness. Sort of like a juiced up Wit, less funky than a traditional Farmhouse Ale. Conjures up scenes of farmland fields on a dewy Spring morning (in my mind anyway).

Light tartness from the yeast or barrel bugs, but it's oh so soft and creamy. Orange peel and delicate Belgian yeast dances over a light malty base. Dry finish with some noble hop herbals. Utterly quaffable and refreshing. I've only experienced this soft lightness before in a few Belgians, namely Fantome, Troublette, and other rustic-style Saisons & Wits. This is one i'll return to again and again. Paired nicely with a washed rind cheese, Jasper Hill Winnimere.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

04-01-2009 19:28:54 | More by emerge077

Gavage

New Jersey

4.23/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: pours a hazy golden yellowish color with a one inch head that falls apart quickly. Some mild lace sticks to the glass.

Smell: pepper, lemon, and a hint if a wine-like quality comes through to the nose.

Taste: caramel, grass, lemon zest, pepper, yeast spiciness, green grapes, and a moderate bitterness. There is a bit of wine flavors arriving late.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied. Crisp throughout. Long lasting aftertaste here,

Overall: a definite slower drinking beer as the flavors excite the taste buds but is nit necessarily refreshing. Very tasty and worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle
@ Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago

06-17-2012 20:54:57 | More by Gavage