Pepe Nero - Goose Island Beer Co.

qthompso

Minnesota

4.03/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled 1/2/11. Poured into a Summit EPA glass.

It poured significantly darker than I was expecting. A rich, very dark brown that looks almost black if you couldn't see the lighter hues near the edges of the glass. Really smooth cream colored head with a finger of foam that does not go away!

A nice, full banana aroma up front. There is a spicy characteristic to this one that is typical of a saison but there's something else in there, likely from the peppercorns.

The banana and bread flavors come through up front but are somewhat quickly pushed away by a deep roasted character, somewhat along the lines of a light chocolate. The bitterness isn't too noticeable until the very end, when it's still quite subtle.

Remarkably smooth and creamy mouthfeel. Nothing that's too heavy to enjoy, just very, very smooth. The carbonation level is medium-high and leaves a little sting with every sip.

Overall, a very drinkable twist on a standard saison. The roasted characteristics make it a nice alternative for the winter when you're not in the mood for anything too thick.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 21:16:15 | More by qthompso

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 an astringent black coffee taste as it goes down. This beer is brewed with black pepper, but this was subtle: The pepper may be evident as a savory presence rather than a peppery presence. As it warmed to a more proper serving temperature, a creamy, spicy sweetness developed (is this how the pepper manifests itself?) Also as it warmed up, a pleasant sourness became more evident. A very slight bitterness with spice (the pepper?) lingers on the palette.

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

06-18-2013 17:42:03 | More by breakingbland

cfh64

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -6.7%

06-17-2013 03:21:33 | More by cfh64

jmutoml757

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev 0%

06-15-2013 04:28:42 | More by jmutoml757

djre4orm

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -6.7%

06-13-2013 18:06:10 | More by djre4orm

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +13.3%

06-09-2013 20:33:16 | More by liamt07

mkh895

Arizona

4.5/5  rDev +20%

06-09-2013 19:19:57 | More by mkh895

polloenfuego

Ontario (Canada)

3.81/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 2013 batch 765 ml bottle into a tulip glass.

A: pours a deep dark almost black brown. A nice one inch head flows away perhaps a little too quickly.

S: mild is the word I would use...all the aromas are very mild. Coffee, malt and grass are present.

T: malt, coffee and hay.

M: alcohol is well hidden, slick and good carbonation.

O: this may be the most confusing beer I have had in quite a while. It calls itself a farmhouse/saison but it has a lot of BSDA qualities as well. It is not an unpleasant beer. I have to wonder if perhaps it is just immature? I have another bottle that I will leave for a while and then I will revisit this. Let's see what that brings...

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2013 00:00:12 | More by polloenfuego

DeutschesBier

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev 0%

06-07-2013 14:16:55 | More by DeutschesBier

pisano

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev 0%

06-06-2013 21:15:26 | More by pisano

BeastLU

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev 0%

06-06-2013 00:05:29 | More by BeastLU

beernads

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -6.7%

06-05-2013 09:08:11 | More by beernads

jtladner

District of Columbia

3.75/5  rDev 0%

06-05-2013 01:07:59 | More by jtladner

blkcld

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev 0%

06-04-2013 04:16:47 | More by blkcld

DrZeus10

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +6.7%

06-03-2013 23:32:06 | More by DrZeus10

richj1970

Alabama

3.75/5  rDev 0%

06-03-2013 02:47:19 | More by richj1970

jl28r1

Texas

3.25/5  rDev -13.3%

06-02-2013 03:20:01 | More by jl28r1

MinorThreat

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev +13.3%

06-01-2013 19:06:57 | More by MinorThreat

Abe_Froman

Texas

3.75/5  rDev 0%

06-01-2013 07:25:07 | More by Abe_Froman

SimonTja

Sweden

3.5/5  rDev -6.7%

05-31-2013 13:21:37 | More by SimonTja

tchipharveyslake

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +6.7%

05-29-2013 14:17:31 | More by tchipharveyslake

ADTaber

South Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -6.7%

05-29-2013 00:01:02 | More by ADTaber

mendvicdog

Maryland

3.25/5  rDev -13.3%

05-26-2013 14:21:12 | More by mendvicdog

NormLobstah

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -6.7%

05-25-2013 03:40:21 | More by NormLobstah

mulliwater

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -6.7%

05-25-2013 03:38:53 | More by mulliwater