Pepe Nero - Goose Island Beer Co.

Mitchster

Michigan

2.98/5  rDev -20.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Brewed with Pilsner, Rye, Crystal Rye, Black Malt and black peppercorns. Hopped with Pilgrim and Saaz.
30 IBU, 6.4% ABV.
Pours out to a cloudy near black, forming a very voluminous head with very good retention and solid lacing. Very briskly carbonated, ~3.25 carbs. Aroma of saison yeast....powdery yeast, delicate malts, a hint of caramel, no pepper, faint cola, distant Saaz. Mouthfeel is powdery with a light body. Taste opens with yeasty phenolics, followed by definite earthy rye notes, mild bitterness, dry finish, and some dark candi sugar notes towards the end (crystal rye?). There is a moderate note of oxidation before the aftertaste. I'm not tasting any pepper or getting any pepper heat.

I love the other Belgian brews from Goose Island (Pere Jaques, Demolition, Matilda, Sofie), but I'm not digging this one. It's a hodge-podge of unbalanced tastes, and the oxidation is so untypical for Goose. I had a hard time drinking this 4 pack and had to give 2 away. Definitely wouldn't buy it again, but support their other brews with bombast.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2012 20:02:34 | More by Mitchster

RedAleMan

Ontario (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev 0%

05-23-2013 01:00:14 | More by RedAleMan

Jade

Ohio

2.25/5  rDev -40%

05-23-2013 00:55:55 | More by Jade

ackeeper

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev 0%

05-21-2013 01:33:47 | More by ackeeper

CanisMajor

Indiana

3.5/5  rDev -6.7%

05-20-2013 22:27:11 | More by CanisMajor

InspectorBob

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev 0%

05-20-2013 16:22:01 | More by InspectorBob

craftbrew502

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +6.7%

05-20-2013 00:55:20 | More by craftbrew502

davesway10

Iowa

4/5  rDev +6.7%

05-19-2013 11:49:53 | More by davesway10

GreesyFizeek

New York

4.25/5  rDev +13.3%

05-18-2013 20:59:57 | More by GreesyFizeek

jono0101

Missouri

4.25/5  rDev +13.3%

05-18-2013 16:31:26 | More by jono0101

Emkehr

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -6.7%

05-17-2013 17:19:51 | More by Emkehr

breakingbland

Michigan

3.59/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle marked as "04/28/11 0149" into a tulip.

This beer gave a lively pour with a persistent one-finger, medium tan foamy head. Below the head, the beer itself is an opaque black/brown in the glass.

The aroma is a sweet funk (bubblegum?) with practically no hops.

Predominating is a slightly sweet chocolate taste, followed by a somewhat astringent black coffee taste as it goes down. A very slight bitterness lingers. Overall, the flavor profile is fairly simple but with a very deep character.

This beer has a very full mouthfeel: Good body and a pleasant level of carbonation.

Overall, this was a fun beer to drink. I didn't realize initially that I was drinking a 2-year old aged beer. I'd definitely look for this one again. Another winner from the Goose.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 11:09:50 | More by breakingbland

schaffer9252

New York

4.25/5  rDev +13.3%

05-16-2013 22:17:59 | More by schaffer9252

TheMultiYeast

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled: 05/22/12

Nearly black with a big khaki head and some spotty lacing.

Aroma is dry, peppery, musty. Some raisin and rye malt shine through. Interesting yeast character.

Similar to nose, black pepper, more yeast quality, some bitterness, dryness.

Supremely dry after a year. Lively carbonation.

Very interesting dark saison. Enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 02:31:53 | More by TheMultiYeast

avschmitt

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -6.7%

05-15-2013 19:25:21 | More by avschmitt

civicm87

New York

4.5/5  rDev +20%

05-14-2013 23:07:59 | More by civicm87

Absolut

California

3.75/5  rDev 0%

05-14-2013 17:59:06 | More by Absolut

CoryR

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev 0%

05-14-2013 01:04:42 | More by CoryR

yancot

Ontario (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +13.3%

05-13-2013 17:31:32 | More by yancot

JDD419

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +13.3%

05-12-2013 02:24:11 | More by JDD419

Ivegotmule

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +20%

05-11-2013 23:06:09 | More by Ivegotmule

bvdubn

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -13.3%

05-11-2013 00:57:24 | More by bvdubn

twenty5

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev 0%

05-10-2013 19:47:27 | More by twenty5

ReddMoneyBrown

California

4.5/5  rDev +20%

05-10-2013 02:38:46 | More by ReddMoneyBrown

jkane101

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev 0%

05-10-2013 01:27:49 | More by jkane101