Pepe Nero - Goose Island Beer Co.

SickGnar

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Very dark brown, almost black with very dark garnet highlights when held to light. Fairly clear despite dark color. Good size really light tan head. Good retention with just alright lacing that would be far better if it was more sticky.

S: Interesting. Softly peppery & earthy notes combined with some roast & lots of dark fruit sweetness. Dark & crusty bread. Very mild yeasty ester & phenols notes. Malty sweetness grows. Quite pleasant & appealing, but not all that saison or even Belgian. Rather good strength. Bit of chocolate that grows as it warms. Pepper also grows as it warms.

T: Dark malty malts – lots of bread crust, good amount of soft roast, some toffee, some chocolate, background nutty & toasty malts, and lots of dark fruit sweetness – prunes & plums. Even a hint of smoke (that could also be from phenolics). Firm bitterness underneath – herbal with some spice & a back end hint of resin. Peppery aspect from peppercorns and /or yeast is there, but not terribly strong. More a lightish bodied porter than a saison, but nice regardless. Pepper grows late in the finish.

M: Medium body, but just barely. And lightened quite a bit by active, expansive, and slightly coarse textured carbonation. Opens sweet with a light hint of sugars and dextrins. Sweetness stays until the end when roast pushes it aside. Roast, hops, & just a hint of peppery spice take this one drying with a soft peppery heat bite. Overall it is quite a bit rich for a saison.

D: Not sure it is really a saison. More a light & interesting Baltic Porter or a very strongly characterful schwarzbier. Rather minimal on the peppery & earthy yeast notes that usually mark a saison (even with peppercorns added). And a bit lacking in the usual attenuation and dryness. No funk of any kind. Whatever style bucket it fits in, it is one drinkable and tasty brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2012 00:43:38 | More by SickGnar

GreesyFizeek

New York

4.25/5  rDev +13%

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

jono0101

Missouri

4.25/5  rDev +13%

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

Emkehr

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%

05-17-2013 17:19:51 | More by Emkehr

breakingbland

Michigan

3.59/5  rDev -4.5%
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%

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

TheMultiYeast

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +2.4%
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 -6.9%

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

civicm87

New York

4.5/5  rDev +19.7%

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

Absolut

California

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

05-14-2013 17:59:06 | More by Absolut

CoryR

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

05-14-2013 01:04:42 | More by CoryR

yancot

Ontario (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +13%

05-13-2013 17:31:32 | More by yancot

JDD419

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +13%

05-12-2013 02:24:11 | More by JDD419

Ivegotmule

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +19.7%

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

bvdubn

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -13.6%

05-11-2013 00:57:24 | More by bvdubn

twenty5

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

05-10-2013 19:47:27 | More by twenty5

ReddMoneyBrown

California

4.5/5  rDev +19.7%

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

jkane101

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

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

Magery

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

05-10-2013 01:25:49 | More by Magery

bilhelm

Kentucky

3.25/5  rDev -13.6%

05-09-2013 23:26:13 | More by bilhelm

aztraz

Sweden

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%

05-09-2013 19:51:38 | More by aztraz

pearljam118

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

05-09-2013 01:20:18 | More by pearljam118

cadaugherty

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

05-09-2013 01:03:33 | More by cadaugherty

DerekMorgan

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

05-08-2013 20:00:07 | More by DerekMorgan

JMAC45

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +13%

05-06-2013 02:19:11 | More by JMAC45