A taste of… Honker’s Ale

Goose Island Beer Co.
1800 West Fulton Street
Chicago, IL 60612-2512
(312) 226-1119

Preface: This 12 oz. bottle of Goose Island Honker’s Ale was purchased for $1.75(USD) at Peas & Pickles Grocery in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, NY. There is a “Bottled on date: 01/04/10 0902” on the back label.

The following notes are made after a mouth wash with room temperature sparkling water. These notes have not been influenced by reading promotional material or any other review of this brew.

I am including this preface to inform the reader of any and all circumstances that might be conceived of as creating a biased review or a conflict of interest regarding the choice of words used in the following review. I could go on and on with semi-legal jargon but I guess you will just have to trust me eh?

The following are my tasting notes:

Appearance: deep amber with a copper shade a carbonation of small to medium bubbles that form a pitted, rather rocky head of sparkling medium and large bubbles. The lace is very well tatted as it slowly descends the sides of the glass.

Aroma: An initial impression of toasted biscuits is joined at a second visit by brown sugar aromas. A final nosedive reveals a slightly musty note.

Flavor: First is refreshing then a noticeable crème caramel sugar flavor. The second sip has a sharp citric spike of flavor quickly leaving the sugar in the background. The third swallow has the taste receptors calibrated and the flavors are introduced and proceed to play well together.

Mouth feel: There is a creamy effect that is later deflated by the spikes of hop flavors.

Finish: These flavors leave the pallet fresher than when they arrived.

Comments: Here in Brooklyn the Goose Island folks have a tough market… price rules. At a good price (.75 USD less than what I paid) this would be a good sell as its label is very noticeable in a cold box.

Food & Beer: Two words… grilled bratwurst!

The Brewery: http://www.gooseisland.com/

What others say:

BeerAdvocate: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1146/1157

RateBeer: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/goose-island-honkers-ale/811/