Fleur - Goose Island Beer Co.

alleykatking

Indiana

1.8/5  rDev -54%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Had on tap...and I might add this could have been an old keg.

A- Poured a light hazed orangeish amber body. Gave to me with no head and also no lacing on the sides when drinking this beer.

S- This beer smelled like it was old. There really wasn't any brett smell. It was more along the lines of stale wet grain, older darker fruits, and hints of a metallic undertone throughout.

T- Darker fruits come in front of the beer but it tastes stale. Some light metallic undertones in the ending front of the beer. Middle of the flavor is some light brett character and hints of dirty fruit. Ending of the beer shows more stale darker fruit with hints of brett and a long metallic undertone with a warming alcohol to it.

M- Medium heavy mouthfeel. Carbonation is really light for the style. Darker fruit and hint of metal left on the palate. Aftertaste is light brett, lots of darker fruit, hints of metal, and light alcohol. Flavors were all off balance in the style...I think this has to be due to an older keg. Metallic off flavors in this beer were strong and offputting. Medium alcohol drying on the palate.

O- This beer was not at all what I expected. And to be honest at 7 dollars a fill I wasn't going to find out again if I was right on it being a old keg. Could have been a ok beer but well...

Serving type: on-tap

06-20-2011 04:46:42 | More by alleykatking

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

2.7/5  rDev -30.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Bottle poured into a pint glass

A: Pours a light yellow and settles into a hazy, caramel color. The head is fizzy with huge bubbles and is all but nonexistent.

S: Smells spicy with cinnamon and nutmeg and is really floral like potpourri, which is nice but not often sought after in a beverage. There are some standard Belgian dark fruits in there as well but they're subdued.

T/M: Taste is lowly carbonated and sour with lemon citrus. It's a little metallic and a very light consistency. Some cereal grains with faint white grapes and sour apple linger but the aroma is much more potent than the flavor.

Compared to other Belgians, it's unique but bland. Sofie is much better.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2011 00:53:46 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

ZekemusMaximus

New York

2.75/5  rDev -29.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A - A dark orange color with some absolutely fantastic lacing. It created a "mountainscape" around the rim of my glass. A bit hazy but pretty cool looking.

S - Certainly floral, lots of hibiscus and fruit but its almost masked by a Belgian smokiness.

T - Nothing too strong, the taste lingered a little too long for my liking. It was certainly tart and that was present throughout.

M - Seemed light at first but the more i drank I felt there was more going on, a little heavier than it looks. Very carbonated though.

O - First BPA from Goose Island I've had my chance to try, didn't love it, didn't hate it. It wouldn't be a beer I'd rush to try again but I probably won't get the chance if its retired so I won't have to worry about it.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 03:06:54 | More by ZekemusMaximus

harrymel

Washington

2.93/5  rDev -25.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Vintage 2011, Bottled 2.18.11

A: Red-orange ale with superb clarity. Less than single finger of off-white, fine head falls to a broken sheet of the same. No lacing.

S: Um, hot dogs? The grain and is sweetened and there are floral noses. The Kombucha likely needs much more time to come forward - if it ever will at all. I always have linked this particular tea with pungent, citric tones, and those aren't here.

T: Tastes like the malt profile is deeply influenced with vienna specialty grains. Plenty of tea notes. Slightly metallic at the back end. Continues to remain sweet throughout the life. There is a small Belgian yeast flavor.

M: Medium to light body on the style with light to spritely carbonation. leaves palate at equilibrium.

O: I don't think this beer has the quality I was anticipating. I generally really dig their beers. This beer may have capacity to improve with time if (and only if) the Kombucha comes out a bit.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2011 05:38:32 | More by harrymel

fltmedic

Missouri

2.93/5  rDev -25.1%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

From the 750 mil bottle, pours a beautiful deep red amber. The thin foam head quickly dissipates to a lingering swirl with a light collar until the end.

The floral aroma is far less evident than the name would suggest stepping aside for orange and bright alcohol notes.

Initial taste rings with orange pith and moves toward hops until a disappointing flat fade. The depth of flavor is lacking and the finish is predictable.

Moderate carbonation and fullness of texture meet the tongue with boldness. Perfect weight in the mouth for the style.

The appearance and mouthfeel try to save this as a Belgian. However the taste falls far short and the result is a flat finish and overall average beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2011 03:20:03 | More by fltmedic

Ryan011235

Ohio

3/5  rDev -23.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a Delirium tulip on 3/19/11

Thanks to schwaeh for sharing

Once again, I didn't record the bottling date. Yeesh.

Rusty amber with a thin, bubbly head. Wispy retention. A few specks of lace. The color is really nice; it looks floral (whatever that means). Very clear.

The aroma is hibiscus all the way; certainly very floral. Subtle nips of spices. Mostly clean with hints of earthiness. Grassy, like a prairie. At one point I caught an odd, stray whiff of varnish. Tastes a lot like I'd expect - very similar to the nose. Unfortunately, this works better as an aroma. Floral and grassy; not as vibrant as the nose. Kind of dull with a mustiness that lingers. Lighter body. Carbonation is pretty low but causes minor agitation. The beer becomes really bland by the end.

Fleur has a pretty color and it smells good. However, it's all downhill from there.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2011 02:19:58 | More by Ryan011235

AgentZero

Illinois

3.03/5  rDev -22.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured a burnt orange/golden color with yellow on the edges. Foamy head billowed up and quickly dissipated, leaving behind no lacing. Pretty to look at.

S - Hmmm, not a ton going on here. Get a little bit of funk and some decent belgian yeast. A little bit of sweet fruit smell, but nothing over powering.

T - Am I the only one who is missing something here? I saw a bunch of great reviews and was expecting something somewhat impressive. It's just a touch fruity, with some subtle belgian yeast and funk coming through. Earthy and grassy, to me it tastes like a slightly sweetened and more full-bodied saison. Everything kind of melds together, yes you can pick out a decent amount of stuff, but honestly, I find this quite boring.

M - Medium bodied, decent carbonation. A little bit slick and a tiny bit sticky.

D - I will give it this, easy to throw down, and the alcohol is completely hidden. Perhaps my palate is just not sophisticated enough, but I find this beer somewhat unimaginative and it's not really doing anything for me. Based on the prior reviews, it is one I would like to revisit after I have become more educated with the different tastes.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2010 04:55:15 | More by AgentZero

jwinship83

Illinois

3.03/5  rDev -22.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

650ml bottle that was purchased as soon as it hit the shelves in the chicago suburbs. drank from my duvel tulip glass.

A- this one pours out a an odd pinkish orangeish colored body with a pretty large off white colored head. the head lasts for a while and leaves behind complete rings of lacing. lots of visible carbonation bubbles.

S- very floral smelling (surprise!). sweet belgian candi sugar and some belgian yeast. a small amount of what i think smells like brett. very hint sour aromas. grassy/earthy hops at the end.

T- the taste is much like the smell. its dominated by flowers, grass, and earth. the sourness i could smell comes through more pronounced in the taste, but its not exactly strong. the earthiness comes from the brett which i can faintly pick up. belgian candi sugar gives it a balancing sweetness. slightly yeasty.

M- light bodied with an over the top level of carbonation. i consider it to be somewhat of a problem in most of goose islands belgian style line. the brewery must be cool with it. somewhat dry and sour finish.

D- this beer offers exactly what it says it will. however, its not really my thing. not offensive or full of obvious flaws, its just not for me. i doubt ill seek this one out again.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2010 15:12:03 | More by jwinship83

cbeer88

Massachusetts

3.03/5  rDev -22.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Tasted blindly courtesy of Blind BIF #6.

22oz bomber poured into Chimay Goblet

Appearance: Body is a very clear golden orange color. Head is about a finger of thin white, and doesn't last long, but lacing is strong.

Smell: Sour notes in the nose, bit of hay and funk. Almost smells like Brett, but not quite. Light malt flavor rounds out the profile. No noticeable hop presence.

Taste: Based on the nose I was expecting a sour ale, and I that's not what I have here - maybe a wild though. First sip came off a little bland. There's some yeast combo going on - a bit of wild barnyard flavor and a bit of fruity belgian esters - apple and pear mostly. Minimal hops, and the malt is assertive in the taste but ultimately light in flavor. Crisp. Belgian Pale? No noticeable alcohol trace.

Mouthfeel: Carb is moderate, body is thin.

Drinkability: So-so. Alcohol seems low enough but it's lacking a bit in flavor.

Overall: I'm not sure what to make of this beer. Bland is probably the right word. It seems like a Belgian Pale with a bit of wild yeast, but nothing is really coming together to make anything particularly noteworthy. Reminds me of Goose Island Matilda, but not as good. Drinkable though.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 02:18:58 | More by cbeer88

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

3.05/5  rDev -22%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

"Painting flowers white never suited by palette." - Cradle of Filth

Murky, translucent rose color. Thin white head is quick to collar and break apart into a few wispy swirls. All retention is gone by half glass, no lace.

Aroma is kumbucha and a flowery something. Watered down rose water. Taste is again flowery and kumbucha. Not much in the way of malt, it tastes more like 4% than 7%.

Kinda interesting, kinda bland. I wouldn't ever buy it again but I wouldn't be bummed if some one handed me a glass of it five minutes from now.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2011 00:53:03 | More by donkeyrunner

Chirpie

Kansas

3.05/5  rDev -22%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a tulip (I seem to be favoring that one regardless of the brew.)

Somewhat disappointed. Maybe I got a bad bottle? Really light flavor, kind of skunky even. The head disappeared instantly, no lacing left behind.

The appearance might be the highlight for me. (Not a good sign.) Nice amber yellow look with a lot of floating sedimentation.

Sessionable for sure based off the light flavor, it's just not that memorable.

I see it's retired... glad to have tried so I know I'm not to broken up about it...

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2012 04:24:17 | More by Chirpie

celticfutblclub

Massachusetts

3.1/5  rDev -20.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

22oz bottle poured into a pint glass.

A - a hazy orange brew with a small head that disappears very quickly. decent lacing but outside of that not much to look at.

S - yeast spice citrus and malts. a skunky edge to it. good complexity to the nose on this one but seems to all be slightly withdrawn.

T - yeast, biscuit, orange green apple and piny hops. yeast and hops are the big flavors here. the malts are there but definitely sit behind the yeast and hops.

M - lots of carbonation on this one. light body to this one.

O - its an ok example but its really not doing anything particularly well. not close to my favorite from this style nor this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2011 00:06:10 | More by celticfutblclub

Levich

Massachusetts

3.1/5  rDev -20.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Picked up a 750mL bottle of the 2010 version of this brewed on 9/17/2010 #1655. Poured into a goblet.

A - This poured a dark honey amber color with hints of rosiness. There was a fragile head that dissipated quickly leaving only a thin layer of foam.

S - Initially, there is a slightly sour aroma with a bit of strawberry and apple.

T - The first taste is very clean and light. There is a light floral and fruity taste that grows stronger with more sips. It finishes with a hint of hops just to balance it all. The flavor is oddly reminiscent of sweettarts.

M - This beer has a thin mouthfeel with light carbonation.

Overall a decent beer. There was nothing overpowering or extraordinary, but good. I am looking forward to trying the 2011 version that's waiting for another session.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 21:16:50 | More by Levich

mexikrainian

Ohio

3.13/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served in a Petrus long-stem.

Aroma: apple, spice, malty, cinnamon

Appearance: hazy amber with short retention white head

Taste: bitter, dry finish with crisp, floral notes

Mouthfeel: light body with medium carbonation and crisp finish

Overall impression: descent BPA with complex floral aroma and taste

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2010 00:08:08 | More by mexikrainian

smakawhat

Maryland

3.13/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured on tap into a snifter at ChurchKey DC.

Given with no head, an orange/amber body. THere was a head at one point but seriously died. No lacing not even a collar on this thing.

Smell is initially wet. Faint bret sense and sort of a fresh seafood ocean "fishy" quality. Really strange but alright.

Mild bretty sense at first and a hint of some spice. Still that watery sense carries over into feel as well. Slight nutmeg and almost cigar box finish but with heat and pricklyness that is obvious.

Overall, weak, wet and kind of boring, I'll pass on this one from Goose Island.

Serving type: on-tap

04-21-2011 23:16:53 | More by smakawhat

dpnelson1978

Minnesota

3.18/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

22 oz. bottle into glass snifter.
55°F

$7.99 / ea.

A: Bright rusty body with a small loose head of poor retention that leaves no lacing or cover.

S: Floral Belgian yeast character. Slightly sweet, slightly spicy. No hop character.

T: Light sweat bready backbone. Strong dominant Belgian yeast character. Medicinal and spicy. No hop character. Not very complex.

M: Very light body with medium to low carbonation. A bit oily.

D: Average to below average. Slightly cloying, and gets old fast.

O: Disappointing. I love the other Goose Island Belgians I have tried, so this is a bit of an outlier.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2010 03:41:22 | More by dpnelson1978

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.23/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a beige head. Color is a golden orange.

Aroma: Herbal and floral. Yeasty, bready, and some spices. Orange peel. Not too much here for a Belgian.

Taste: Bready and malty. Some crushed black pepper flavors. Oranges and lemons. Grassy and herbal flavors again.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and crisp. Lighter bodied with a medium amount of carbonation. Ends dry.

Overall, easy drinking, but lacking flavor. I have heard the previous year’s batch was better. This one just wasn’t anything special.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2011 16:45:48 | More by mothman

treque

Mexico

3.25/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: hazy, cloudy body, with an amber to deep gold in color, the head is not so big, good retention, waste left behind on the glass

s: is no so deep, florarl, pinusy, noble hop aroma some esters

T: swetter and souer than expected, complexed in flavour, not so much bitterness, more esters thn in aroma for sure, some acidity

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 03:27:41 | More by treque

osusullins

Illinois

3.28/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This beer pours a beautiful rose color with light frothy head.

Aroma is very floral with a hint of strawberries.

Taste is almost opposite of smell. Sweet berries up front with floral undertones. The beer finishes with quite a tart punch that lingers. Light bodied.

Serving type: on-tap

11-03-2011 03:54:50 | More by osusullins

cratez

Ontario (Canada)

3.28/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bomber purchased at Plum Market in Ann Arbor, MI. 2010 Vintage.

Pours a burnished amber hue with copper edges, a sliver of bubbly white froth, and strands of stringy lacing on the tulip.

Smell is flower petals, cake dough, yeast, clove, cardamom, cotton candy, faint apple note (Granny Smith?), slight funkiness, bruised stone fruit, and green grape.

Taste is sour candy, apple skin, yeast, and grainy-bready malts. A very basic, underwhelming flavour profile.

Mouthfeel is lighter than medium-bodied with low carbonation and a chalky finish. The palate becomes more watery as the beer warms.

Overall, given its respectable rating on BA, I expected a lot more from this brew. While the aroma is enticing, this ended up being a pretty boring quaff and I probably won't purchase again.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2012 20:32:14 | More by cratez

LambicPentameter

Kansas

3.29/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Poured out of a brown 22 oz bomber into a tulip glass. Bottling date of 2/18/2011, so this bottle is from the last batch ever produced.

Appearance - Body is a deep pinkish-amber color with minimal head, likely from the long cellaring time. About a half-finger of head at best dissipates quickly leaving little to no lacing. Settles into a rim of quarter-finger head around the edge of the glass.

Smell - Sweet and cloying, like you might expect from fermented juice. Reminds me of graham crackers and honey with some generic floral notes and yeast in the background.

Taste - Less sweet than the smell would let on, but certainly not dry by any means. Here, the hibiscus and kombucha tea really shine through with just a touch of sourness. Seems like the overall flavor profile is faded, like it could be more robust, but that does make it pretty drinkable.

Mouthfeel - Light bodied with minimal carbonation. Clean finish.

Overall, a beer I wish I'd been able to sample fresh. By no means a bad beer with 2 years on it, but the kombucha really influences the aroma and flavor of this beer in a way that isn't preferable to me. Might appeal to anyone who likes tea in general, but that's not me.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2013 15:15:56 | More by LambicPentameter

cnally

Indiana

3.3/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I always get jazzed to try any of these high-end Goose Islands that I haven't tried yet. Who doesn't?

The body looks great, a slightly cloudy golden brown, with a very sudsy head.

Aromas sweet, but sweetness of prune, raisin, even a little molasses. Strange aroma for a belgian pale ale.

Significantly sour flavor, but the finish kicks less sourness and more malt. No resonant or initial bitterness, really, which is massively disappointing...

Creamy frothy mouthfeel, lower carbonation.

Kind of turns into a sipper, it's just a little on the sour side for me to enjoy thoroughly.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2010 02:32:39 | More by cnally

Vonerichs

Illinois

3.3/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Clear amber body with a great fluffy off white head.

Smell is like unmature green apples and a yeast funk that is phenolic.

Taste is mostly a band-aid like phenolic yeast. Aside from that and moderate tartness, it's rather bland.

Mouthfeel was rather thin, but did have decent carbonation.

Drinkability is a little better than average. From a brewery that typically represents Belgian styles very well, this one was uninspired and just blah.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2010 02:22:09 | More by Vonerichs

samie85

Illinois

3.33/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A-Pours a light cranberry juice color with a finger of frothy white head.

S-Lemon and slightly vinegar notes with some hibiscus and bready malts.

T-Mild acidic lemon and leather notes with floral notes and very light malt with earthiness on the finish.

M-Very light bodied and low carbonation with a crisp, dry feel.

D-Pretty easy drinking but I wish this had a little more brett character and complexity.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2011 02:59:46 | More by samie85

steve8robin

Massachusetts

3.35/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Got this on a trip to IA. 2010 22oz bottle...

A: Super golden with a deep ruby color blended in. 1 in white head that fades at a decent rate. Good.

S: Some wheat blended with some cherry tartness. Some port wine in the middle with hints of some hints of sugary malt buried on the backend. Decent.

T: Some watery light fruit tartness to this one. This is blended with some earthy flavors and not much else going on. Ok.

M: Medium body which leaves a hint of bitter earthy flavor on the palate. Good.

D: Goes down a little tougher because of the tartness. Not super sour tart but strange tart. Decent.

All in all, this is not anything special. Don't worry about this brew. Not worth your money. Just ok.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2010 02:10:12 | More by steve8robin