Snow Goose Winter Ale

[steveh]

Wild Goose Brewery, Frederick, Maryland. 12 oz bottle.

This beer poured a clear, deep mahogany color with a creamy, tan head that lingered long, but settled to a filmy topping - leaving nice lace on the glass. The head was easily revived to its thick, tight bubbles with a quick swirl.

Fruity hop nose. Roasted malts and a hint of diacetyl were apparent as the beer warmed.

Citrus hop flavor in initial taste, followed in a nice balance by roasted malts and ends smoothly with caramel malt flavor - yet leaves tart hops lingering at the back of the mouth. Slightest hint of alcohol as the beer warmed.

The label states Cascade, Willamette, Fuggles, and Golding hops in the recipe, I wish it told us the malt bill.

Medium body with a nice creamy consistency.

Truly a nice, winter brown ale. I received this beer as a selection in a beer-of-the-month club a few years ago and recall it being harsher in its roasted maltiness. Not the case any more, a well balanced, rich, flavorful beer that leaves you wanting more. Thanks again Chaz.

S.

[chazwicke]

You are welcome. I will have a package for you soon . My plan is to send you a variety of my local beers including the Tupper's HP Ale. I need to collect a fresh selection and you may re evaluate the Dominion Lager. Problem is that I have been traveling so darn much that I have had little time to shop for the beers that I want to send. And by the way, I really, really appreciate your reviews on this board. I usually find them dead on. I drink plenty that I wish to review but usually don't take notes or am not at the ole computer when I am tasting. I need to get my act together and do more reviews myself. Anyway, Thanks again Steve for your accurate and reliable tasting notes. I always look forward to them.

[steveh]

Originally posted by chazwicke
You are welcome. I will have a package for you soon . My plan is to send you a variety of my local beers including the Tupper's HP Ale. I need to collect a fresh selection and you may re evaluate the Dominion Lager. Problem is that I have been traveling so darn much that I have had little time to shop for the beers that I want to send.

Please - no need to worry about expediting anything my way - you're more than generous just to keep me in mind! I'm collecting some brews for Brewmonkey right now, and have a couple for Fret (remember that Porter you promised me Fret?). And there should be some new local seasonals out soon, so I'll keep you in mind too.

And by the way, I really, really appreciate your reviews on this board.

Thanks for the kind words, I'm having fun doing them and practicing my sensory perceptions - sampling the different beers with a purpose makes it more enjoyable, and delicious!

I've been enjoying everyone else's reviews as well, and encourage everyone to take part in the fun. We should try to have a "group review" sometime - everyone gets ahold of something new that's come out (and readily available), and we agree on a date to all post our impressions of the same beer. The different perceptions would be interesting.

A while ago, some one was wondering if Sam Adams tasted different around the country since it was being contract brewed in different locations - maybe we should all taste a bottle of Sam around the forum?

Any thoughts on the idea?

S.

[Beaver]

I like your reviews as well Steve!

A group review sounds like a fun idea. I'd be up for it.

[MeridianFC]

An excuse to drink beer???? This is just what I've been looking for.

In re: Snow Goose I forgot that they were still making it. I haven't had it in a few years. The last time I did sample it my thoughts were that it had really gone down hill. It used to be one of my favorite local brews, but when the big consolidation happened between Frederick, Wild Goose and Oxford all the products seemed to suffer, though I was never really a fan of the Oxford brews. I recall the roastiness you mentioned but that was something I actually liked about it. On draft SG used to be unbeatable and was something I looked forward to every winter.

[chazwicke]

Agreed. Snow Goose was an eagerly anticipated brew when it came from over in Cambridge. It was up there with Celebration and Anchor. I too never really was too keen on Oxford's beers. Wasn't Brimstone another that was consolidated?