Madame Rose - Goose Island Beer Co.

ElCommodoro

Texas

3.65/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This is a delicious and unique, but very one-sided beer. I was expecting one-sidedness, but not this much vinegary sourness since the bottle only indicated that it was Belgian-style and not that it was a sour. I consider that to be very pertinent information and am baffled as to why they wouldn't mention it. I like the vinegary, unripe cherry flavour, though.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 09:37:48 | More by ElCommodoro

DubbelTrubbel

Iowa

3.8/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Bottle into goblet-style wine glass. 2012 vintage.

A- Rich mahogany brown, one finger of tannish head dissipates quickly

S- funky yeast, wine, sour cherries, then some oak. Hint of malt. As it warmed, it was like Bourbon county with wine- noticeable oak.

T- Sour cherries against a brown ale- a little charred malt at the end. Then some weird funk. Leans toward high bitterness.

M- Really nice mouthfeel, very easy, smooth feeling.

O- For me the best part of this is the smell- quite good. I think the taste needs the most work- It doesn't stand up the smell in complexity. I would not buy again at the $18 a bottle price.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 23:56:32 | More by DubbelTrubbel

MordorMongo

Indiana

3.78/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Start of a year of at least a review a day. 2012 Vintage. Decided to start with some GI, why not?

A - Ruddy brown, minimal head and lacing, pretty standard oud bruin look honestly.

S - Some vinous barrel, slight cherry (not as much as past vintage), vinegar notes, very slight funk hiding in there somewhere.

T - Not as much cherry as last batch, definite lactic sour dominant, not as much funk as I would like, vinegar more evident in finish. Woody notes throughout but overall just a bit dull, not near as crisp, fruity and funky as last one.

M - Medium, some carb in there, more than what appears visibly.

O - For the pricepoint and GI rep I would expect more but hard to say this is a let down. A very solid oud bruin, would love some bigger cherry influence and more FUNK, but I won't say no to another one so cannot complain much.

Definitely preferred last batch to this one....but perhaps my memory is just playing tricks on me. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 00:29:09 | More by MordorMongo

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

4.03/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured out a ruddy kind of appearance that you expect from a flanders oud bruin, equal parts amber and light brown. It would seem like a flanders red versus a flanders oud bruin would be a better beer to showcase the cherries, but nonetheless, here we are. Thin head, no lacing or retention really.

Aroma, fits the bill, minimal vinegar feel, the cherry is there, but at over 2 years old, this one is probably a little less on the fruit mouthfeel and higher on the sourness because of it.

I thought it was pretty good, but the brown malt made me keep wondering if this would be better suited for a red. I guess my natural preference is for a flanders red moreso than a brown, so that's probably all it is. The wood presence is there, but not heavy on the palate. For my money, I think this is far superior to Rodenbach. The wine barrel intrusion is minimal, but complimentary and tannic. That with the brett give kind of a chalky, grittyness that sticks to the teeth, pretty enjoyable at a little over the two year point. Not overly acidic, its kind of a more bretty then lactic sourness.

This is one of the more rare beer reviews from beerandraiderfan, as this review is being written immediately after consuming said beer this New Year's Eve, 2012. What can I say, everyone of drinking age isn't drinking anymore. In the end, its a pretty good and enjoyable beer. How many more will I continue to get a hold of? I dunno, there's one or two still in the cellar, it costs a little to get it shipped here, and its about the same price as Oude Tart, so prolly not much, but it doesn't mean this isn't a quality beverage here. . . man.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 07:29:37 | More by Beerandraiderfan

Gobzilla

California

4/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: poured a pale brown in color with slight ruby highlights and almost no head which barely left any lacing sticking to the glass.

S: not as funky on the brett as the description suggest however there was a good presence of cherry fruit, signs of vinegar, a little vinous wine barrel character and citrus notes.

T: cherry fruit was a little more pronounced on the palate but not too loud alongside good vinous wine barrel accents, mild bretty funkiness, brown sugar sweetness followed with a bit of citrus twang, slight vinegar flavor and a touch of vanilla.

M; the brew was light to medium in body with a low amount of carbonation which had a fruity, vinegary, citrusy, vinous barrel, semi sweet and tart finish.

O: I thought it was just an average oud flanders but was still good and worth the try.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 11:23:50 | More by Gobzilla

pigc

Nebraska

3.98/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2012 bottled 7/31/12 poured into tulip.

A - Dark brown with slight reddish tones with a one finger head that fades quickly. Medium amount of carbonation bubbles.

S - Tart cherries, lactic acid, slight barnyard funk and acidic vinegar.

T - Starts out with a mildly tart cherry followed by a bit of funky brett. Not picking out too much more on this other than some slighty acidic tannins.

M - Light and lively with decent carbonation.

O - Slightly one dimentional, although I do enjoy the tart cherry flavor. Madame Rose is a relatively tame sour. Worth trying this once but the $17 pricetag is a bit steep for what you get here.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 02:42:31 | More by pigc

yamar68

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This was quite the pain in the ass to track down this year... 2012 vintage at cellar temp:

Pours an appropriately murky reddish brown body - a finger of off-white to brown head swells to form the first set of lace and eventually fades down to a thick stubborn collar that laces just as well.

Mild funky red fruits... overripe cherry and tart brown sugar notes, very smooth, no obvious sour presence, incredibly approachable in this respect.

Oh that's good stuff... a reserved sense of tart cherry flesh layered over sweet dark malts and semi-sweet dessert flavors. Some floral qualities, a variety of pleasantly sour fruits... very smooth stuff. Won't make you pucker but the variety of nuanced flavors and aromas will keep you interested.

Good shit.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 01:20:47 | More by yamar68

TwelveOunces

Kentucky

4.05/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bomber poured into a tulip

A- Pours murky dark brown. almos black. Little head

S- Cherries. Winae, caramel, brett. Dark fruit and cherries.

T- Sour. A very sour and tart beer. A lot of cherries in the beer as well as other dark fruit flavors like plums and raisins. Big on the Brett yeast. Puckering. Couldnt taste the barrel flavor.

M- A thick beer. Low carbonation but a lively and intense feel. Nice stuff to sip on.

O- A solid sour, Cherries taste great. Not much barrel flavor and a steep price but otherwise good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 01:50:48 | More by TwelveOunces

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bomber to tulip. $20 for the single.
Vintage 2012, Batch number 1115.
Bottled 07/31/12, Sampled 26DEC12.

[A] A still pour. Without a head but an incomplete off-white ring encircles the glass. The body is dark brown, becoming ruby when backlit. Clarity is above average. No lacing.

[S] Impressive. With layered complexity. The lactic quality and tart cherries combine to make the first impression. Then the vinous character sets in. I would have guessed that Madame Rose was aged in Merlot barrels, but it's not hard to believe that Michigan's cherries would add the bold, dark fruity qualities that I'm experiencing.

[T] Punchy, dark, red fruits. Sweetness, then sourness. The drying, fuzzy tannic qualities bring it all together. Mildly acidic. The maltiness is somewhat lacking for a typical Oud Bruin but the lactic notes compensate more than adequately.

[M] Semi-assertive with just enough 'bite' to keep my interest high - yet plenty accessible for the preferred wine drinker. The body is medium-full and comes off of the tongue cleanly.

[O] Madame Rose is a fantastic beer and I would gladly purchase another bottle.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 01:11:49 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

beagle75

Iowa

3.75/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bomber into a tulip glass.

A: Hazy, light brown color with less than one finger of loose off-white foam head that quickly collapses to a peripheral ring of bubbles. scant lacing remains on the glass.

S: Brettanomyces metabolites are writ large all over this beer's nose. Oak is also contributory, although it is difficult to tell where the mustiness of the brett ends and that of the wood begins. Slight sourness is suggested, although fruit is lacking from the smell.

T: Begins dry, with fruity tartness that is predominantly lactic, and fermented brown malt. Dark cherry fruit briefly shines, then retreats into the middle as vanilla displays equal brevity ahead of oak. Lactic acid clings to the palate during the finish, attended by phantom remnants of earth and dark fruit.

M: Thin to medium viscosity, slightly acidic and astringent on the palate, with moderate delicate carbonation.

D/O: This is an accomplished, easy-drinking sour ale that compares well to other similar American wilds. Its most distinct quality is not from the barrel or the fruit, but from the brettanomyces yeast that dominates the smell. A complex combination of other appropriate qualities are present, but overall rather restrained. The flavor profile is particularly delicate; Russian River Supplication it is definitely not.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 01:26:45 | More by beagle75

TheBrewo

Michigan

4.15/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

We pour a (2012 vintage) dark, brownish ruby brew. It holds a one and a half finger head of creamy tan bubbles. This shows okay retention (but is easily reproducible), leaving spots and legs of lacing down the glass. Aggregates of bubbles remains bubbling away towards one side of each glass. Carbonation appears active, while a thick haze with specks of sediment percolates the liquid. The aroma shows big metallics and soured Brett, giving a vinegar air at first. This eventually cools down, leaving more room for lightly toasted caramel malts, strong oakiness of red wine, soured cherry mash, and an additional sour saltiness of black olives. The final warmth brings light vinyls and leathers, sticky pine, light booze, and more musky spice of mossed wood. Our first impression is that the sourness mixes to a complex peak, with any cherry sweetness being subtle and pushed far to the back. As we sip, strong Brett sourness becomes apparent right from the start, mixing with the sharp metallic bite of grain, smoother brown malts, and a fresh lemon juice pucker. Florals, grassiness, and barnyard funk work in as well, adding depth and dryness to the grain and initial sourness. The middle peaks with that subtle sweetness of fermented cherries and red wine tannins. This gives a juiciness and fruitiness to starkly contrast against the dryness of that same grain, wine, and oakiness. The end quickly returns to its sour, musky roots, giving strong acidic sourness of Brett. The cherry also returns, but with a bittered, chokecherry greenness and astringency. The final wash is of paler grain, Brett, mineral, herbal sourness, lemon bite, and the clean dryness of red wine. The aftertaste breathes of soured oak, mouth-watering Brett, pale malts, soured cherries, those aromatic olives from the nose, big musk, mineral, stone, and citric rind. The body is light to medium, while the carbonation is medium. There is nice slurp, smack, and pucker, with lighter cream or froth to the lip. The mouth is lightly coated and left sopping wet, with an eventual final dryness of light oaky astringency. The abv is appropriate, and while this one is a sipper, it has great drinkability.

Overall, what we like best about this brew was how smooth it drank for how sour of a punch it packs. You could drink this all day, unlike many of the style which may kill your palate and become a bit much by the end of a serving. This guy keeps things fresh and smooth to the end, with robust sourness to the nose and taste, but without going overboard. In that same vein, the cherry flavoring gave only mild sweetness to the back of this beer. This was both good and bad, as we wish that it had a bit more of that advertised flavor, but are thankful that they didn’t overdo it, overpowering the otherwise excellent flavoring.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 14:38:03 | More by TheBrewo

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Vintage 2012, bottled on 07/31/12.
Poured into a tulip.

Appearance
Hazy copper with red highlights. About 1 finger of head that recedes very quickly.

Nose
Black cherry, oak, sawdust, Sweet Tarts and vinegar.

Taste
Moderately sour upfront with lactic acid, lemon juice and sour pie cherries. Black cherry, maraschino cherry juice and concord grape jelly. The Cabernet Sauvignon shines through towards the back along with some very bready pie crust. Finishes with naked oak and sawdust.

Mouthfeel
Medium bodied, crisp, clean and moderately sour.

Overall
Perfect balance between the sourness, cherries, wine and oak. Really nicely put together. This is an excellent Oud Bruin.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 19:50:11 | More by justintcoons

nlmartin

Ohio

4.48/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer was lightly chilled and served in a snifter. 2010 vintage.

A- The body of the beer is a bright clear rose red coloration. A thin white head resolves quickly. Whisp of lace mark my glass. The beer looks nice and inviting.

S- The beer has a very layered aroma. The aroma of sour cherries, tart cherries and sweet cherries rise from the glass. Supporting all this cherry is a hint of bitter sweet chocolate and a light vinegar twang.

T- Follows the aroma and gives a nice arrangement of sweet, tart and sour cherries, light balsamic vinegar a hint of cocoa and some nuttyness.

M- Yes this beer is acidic but it still manages to be smooth and refreshing. The body is light the carbonat is active and a little prickly.

O- This is a a delightful beer drinking experience. The sourness is very well balanced. This is one of goose islands better sour offerings.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 03:16:54 | More by nlmartin

sinstaineddemon

Connecticut

3.73/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - dark brown, nearly black with some red mahogany, wells up a finger of light tan head that fades quickly.

S - sour cherry bomb, huge malts in the aroma make this a layered aroma despite the intensity of the cherry-ness

T - the cherries seem even more sour in the taste, the malts balance it enough to just tosay the malt profile exists. The flavor profile is pretty much one sided, as great as that side is.

M&D&O - definitely needs some time, I love sour beers, but this one was a bit different for some reason. The cherry flavor was exquisite, but sour needs to fade just a bit for the cherries to come to full power.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2012 01:17:12 | More by sinstaineddemon

bigfnjoe

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

2012 batch. Poured from a bomber into a Victory tulip

A- pours a dark brown with a one finger tan head that quickly fades away to nothing. About what I expected her, nothing good or bad in either direction

S- tons of cherries come through, along with some funk from the wine. Nice blend

T- funk is nearly nonexistent, and the cherries don't come through nearly as much as I'd like. Might be a little too young

M- body is actually rather thick, a bit unexpected

O- this puppy needs more time. The flavors haven't progressed all that much, and everything seems very bland and young.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 23:55:00 | More by bigfnjoe

madtrixter787

Virginia

4.2/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a bottle at the Whole Foods down the street from Churchkey after Zwanze day. Poured into DFH tulip with a bit of head that leaves a slight lacing around the edge. Very nice dark burgundy in the light. Smell is wonderful, reminds me of Oude Tart a lot. Tart at first with the sweetness of the cherries a little at the end. Taste was a little hard to get into, I wasn't too keen on the cherries at first, but as the beer warmed a bit they really started to shine. Glad I picked up a bottle, will definitely drink again if I can find more.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 02:30:51 | More by madtrixter787

BEERMILER12

Maine

4.03/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2012 vintage, bottled 07/31/12

A: Pours a cloudy mahogany color with almost no head

S: Very funky, with some sour and barnyard notes along with cherries and a light vinous presence from the wine barrels

T: Follows the nose. Very tart and sour to start and then gets more complex with a light cherry presence and plenty of vinous character from the barrels. Plenty of acidity throughout. Barnyard lingers into the aftertaste

M: Medium bodied with high carbonation

O: A solid Flanders brown, with plenty of the sour and funk that goes with the style. The cherries and wine barrels are both nice subtleties that make this beer nice and complex.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 05:34:48 | More by BEERMILER12

smakawhat

Maryland

3.73/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from the bottle into a tulip glass. Vintage 2012.

A very light mahogany red is poured with a very soapy tan head making about a finger in size. Head settles to a good solid puck of about a centimeter, with large carbonation bubbles when forming. Lots of rising carbonation through the very opaque body, rising fast. Fairly decent looking brew, very nice red body on this.

The sourness is strong with this one, very tart aromas, and some good funk. Hints of tart cherry, and a warm sour sensations. I am strangely getting sweet coffee scents off this too with sweet milk and cream. Smells really very nice, a real fascinating mix

Hits the palate slightly wet, not much malt depth for coating. Surprisingly not that carbonated or fizzy feeling either. Mild sour cherries and skim milk like tastes hit the palate. Fleeting flavor profile on the finish. The palate other than slightly cherry fruit is really not that diverse and kind of one dimensional.

Overall this is kind of a let down, it's one of my favorite styles and this has some great qualities but it feels like something is missing. Nothing more I can say.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 02:01:49 | More by smakawhat

merc7186

New York

3.43/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottled on 7/31/12.

Bomber into sampler glass.

A: Dark Amber Hue, Passes Some Light, Mild Head Ring, Mild Lacing

S: Mild Sour Cherry, Mild Sour Mash

T: Mild Sour Cherry, Mild Red Plum

M: Mediocre Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Mildly Tart

Overall, pretty average (or less) after having after a Juliet (and much better sours)

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 04:43:17 | More by merc7186

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

(Served in a chalice)
7/31/2012 stamped on the bottle

A- This beer pours a deep walnut brown body with tiny strands of bubbles gliding up the surface. There is a light tan head of bubbles that fades away.

S- The red wine vinegar notes fade into that classic flanders red yeast and wet old wood hint but the aroma overall is pretty soft.

T- the tart cherries and wet wood flavor has a nice soft pucker in the finish wit some chalk and jammy note coming through as the beer opens.

M- The slight astringent bite adds some depth to the character and a gentle fizz supports the finish with no alcohol heat noticed.

O- This beer has just a bit of a bite to the astringency that grows odd with the chalky note. I do love this style but this one was a bit lack lust especially for the price. The cherry flavor was good but it didn't have a lot of other flavor in the mouth.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 22:33:43 | More by rhoadsrage

DaveAnderson

Minnesota

3.48/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bomber dated 7/31/2012, poured into a wine glass of the shape recommended on the bottle.

How can I say that I really liked this beer, and was still disappointed by it? Let's see...

The beer pours an amber brown, and develops a small, white head that vanishes quickly and leaves no lacing. That's not the disappointing part, as it's pretty typical for an Oud Bruin.

Right off the bat, this smells like it's going to be sour. It has a little funk, and some oak. But this beer is supposedly brewed with cherries and aged in wine barrels, so where are the fruit notes? The smell is monotone. Even as it warms, it never changes into something more interesting.

On the tongue, it is maybe a little bit more complex. It is really sour, which is great! And as it approaches room temperature, it reveals very subtle complexities -- a hint of cherry, tobacco, and leather. But they are almost imperceptible.

In the end, this beer reinforces my opinion that Goose Island can make a pretty bottle, but can't quite pull off Belgian styles.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 06:58:38 | More by DaveAnderson

jsh420

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

bottled 07/31/12

pours dark ruby brown with a small off white head that faded away to just being around the edge of the glass

smells of cherries sugar vinegar and a little funk

taste is very sour upfront then the tart cherries and oak with a back end of semi sweet malt that lingers

mouthfeel light body very dry

overall the price $18 kills any chance of me buying this again since there are better more affordable options

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 04:20:59 | More by jsh420

ThePorterSorter

New York

4.23/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a dull dark brown with almost no head except a thin tan halo around the edges. The beer smells slightly acidic, but is also fruity, oaky, and buttery. The sweet cherries pack a bigger punch than expected cutting down dramatically on the beer's mild tartness. The taste plays out the same, except for providing a touch more oak and vinegar. It's definitely a tasty oud bruin that yanks on the standard subtle cherry characteristics of the style and makes them a true asset to the beer. The aftertaste is mildly drying, almost negligible by comparison, and leaves little flavor lingering. It's sweet body is cut by a mild tartness, but there very little Brett funk...maybe it's weakness is that it's a bit too mild, or possibly served a bit too cold. Regardless, it's redlined, drinkable, reasonable priced/available, and made by the lovely A-B InBev...who have never messed up a beer before.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 04:01:03 | More by ThePorterSorter

bluejacket74

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22 ounce bottle, bottled on 7/31/2012. Served in a Unibroue tulip, the beer pours a brownish/red color with about a half inch light tan head. Head stayed around for a bit, but there isn't much lacing. Aroma is mostly tart, the brew smells like tart cherries, wood, red wine, and vinegar. The taste is similar to the aroma, but there's the addition of some vanilla and caramel. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a bit slick with moderate carbonation. It's also smooth and pretty easy to drink. I think it's a good overall brew, definitely worth a try. But it is pricey at $15.99 a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 23:41:40 | More by bluejacket74

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.98/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2012 Vintage.
I saw this as I walked into a store I don't normally shop in, he said he got it in that day, yes please.
Pours a very opaque brown with a decent sized head that quickly dissipates. Smells a bit funky with some dark sugars and a lingering sweetness. There's a solid shot of tart cherries and lactic aromas and a hint of vanilla and vinegar. The flavor is sweet and a little brown sugary up front but that changes rapidly. Lactic tart and bready funk come in right away to sweep out and residual sweetness. Tart cherries and lemons are faint flavors but they are there amid a hint of oak and vanilla. Medium body with a moderate level of carbonation and a sweet tart puckering mouthfeel. This is a really nice American sour, but I think it needs a little time in the bottle for everything to come together a little better.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 01:19:49 | More by johnnnniee