Pepe Nero - Goose Island Beer Co.

chodinheaven

Maryland

3.65/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Deep ruby red in hue with a thick and pillowy head on top that sticks around for a good long time. Releases farmhousey aromas with spicy and herbal tones. Definitely a saison with some lemon grassy aromas followed by a caramelly malt that rides right underneath. Pleasant aroma.

Grainy caramel malts make themselves very evident up front with a slight easing of caramel and grains. Very light toasting effect that helps bring out the saisony sharpness in a very slight manner, dissappointedly not very sharp like you would expect from a good Belgian farmhouse ale in the first half of the bottle. The caramel and toffee like flavors weakly dominate the front and middle of the palate, with the hops and medium-high carbonation ending it with a spritzy dryness. The hops lend a citrusy lemon rind like quality that helps bring out the dryness.

Not a bad beer. Leaves a little bit unsatisfying however, like it could have used a bit more umph on the malt bill. The caramel just didn't quite cut it with enough flavor upfront to balance it out. Definitely would not have hurt to have a bit more of an herbal earthiness or spiciness as well. Would definitely also benefit with a bit more age I think. This one is about only about four months old and may become more complex with a bit more time.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2012 03:14:21 | More by chodinheaven

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