By Iron Chef Leftovers
Back in the day before AB-Inbev bought Goose Island, they made some pretty great beers. They still do with their barrel aged and vintage beer line, but there has definitely been a decline in the quality of their regular line of beers – so much so that they are in the ‘just another brewery’ vein. I rarely find myself buying anything from their regular line these days. It is readily available though if you want to drink it. Recently, Annie S. gave me a few bottles of Goose Island stuff, so I figured it was time to give the IPA a shot and see how they are drinking these days.
From the Goose Island website:
Brewer’s Notes: Our India Pale Ale recalls a time when ales shipped from England to India were highly hopped to preserve their distinct taste during the long journey. The result is a hop lover’s dream with a fruity aroma, set off by a dry malt middle, and long hop finish.
Recipe Information:
Style: English Style India Pale Ale Alcohol by Volume: 5.9%
International Bitterness Units: 55
Color: Bourbon
Hops: Pilgrim, Styrian Golding, Cascade, Centennial
Malts: Pale
Serving Suggestions:
Preferred Glass: Thistle
Food Pairings: Curries, Chicken, Pork Cheese Pairings: Blue, Aged Gouda
Cellaring Notes: Enjoy within 180 days
The beer pours orange in color with a light tan/off-white head. Strong amounts of citrus and hops appear on the nose with light notes of citrus peel and grain supporting. The beer starts off on the palate with hints of flora citrus before moving into lightly bitter citrus peel with gradually building hop bitterness before finally finishing pleasantly mildly bitter with notes of orange peel and citrus fruit. The finish is short and to the point making this a fairly easy beer to drink. As with the British style IPAs, the beer is not overly hoppy (but maybe a touch too citrus forward) and is a good beer to introduce someone to an IPA without completely overwhelming them with a hop bomb.
Goose Island IPA flies in formation with a solid 3 Snow Geese out of 5.
FlatbreadGarden 