Goose Island Christmas Ale

[hops99]

Pours dark brown with a relatively creamy head. The faint aroma is mostly burnt toast, not much complexity.

The taste is far from complex, too. I'm not sure what this beer is trying to be, but to me it tastes like a middle of the road stout - grainy, with some modest hop presence. Slightly burnt toast with a splash of black pepper, maybe. No winter spice, nothing remotely distinguishable.

I expected more out of Goose Island....

[Jeff]

I had this on tap last Wednesday at a local pub. I didn't really get the feeling that it had a stout or burnt taste to it at all. I got quite a bit of hoppiness, and some spices. Maybe I need to retaste, and keep notes this time.

[steveh]

I've been going thru a six-pack of this year's GI Christmas for the past week. I didn't find it at all thin or disappointing. It's about the same as past years, maybe a bit smoother - very roasty, robust brew. I think you can add this to the Brown Ale category, and nothing says a holiday beer has to be spiced, does it?

If I have a bottle left I'll take some notes.

S.

[hops99]

I think you can add this to the Brown Ale category, and nothing says a holiday beer has to be spiced, does it?

Of course not, but I think the spirit of most, if not all, xmas brews reflects something unique and/or special. The Goose Christmas is neither, IMO - just another ordinary brew on a crowded beer shelf.

Don't get me wrong, I like many Goose beers, and some of their seasonals, too (Kilgubbin Red, for example). There's just too many other great xmas brews out there...

[steveh]

Originally posted by hops99
Of course not, but I think the spirit of most, if not all, xmas brews reflects something unique and/or special. The Goose Christmas is neither, IMO - just another ordinary brew on a crowded beer shelf.

Yeah, that makes complete sense when you put it that way. They probably should have just called it a "winter" ale, rather than infer something completely special. Although, I think I found it a bit more complex than you did - guess I'll just have to try it again - no really, I can take it! ;)

S.

[chazwicke]

We know your up for it Steveh! How about your notes on this one as well.

[unkle bik]

Originally posted by hops99
Slightly burnt toast with a splash of black pepper, maybe. No winter spice, nothing remotely distinguishable.

I expected more out of Goose Island....

I would, too. It's not that it's a bad beer, it just doesn't live up to the expectations of their other fine products. I guess, in part, because I judge all winter brews by GLBC's Christmas Ale.

I note that pepper taste, too. My guess it was from the tannins present in the cinaminn.

[hops99]

I guess, in part, because I judge all winter brews by GLBC's Christmas Ale.

Hey Bik, we're spoiled....:)

[chazwicke]

Don't rub it in.

[unkle bik]

Originally posted by hops99
Hey Bik, we're spoiled....:)

Normally, my wife & I venture down there with friends for our annual "Christmas Ale Drinkfest", the day after Thanx. This year we couldn't make it.

My wife's friend said that the Xmas Ale was NOT available in pitchers. Something about being "too high in alcohol."

What's up with that?

[steveh]

12 oz. bottle, bottled 10/25/04, 5.4% ABV according to the GI web site. Hmm, label states "flavor will continue to develop over five years." Never laid down their Christmas before.

Deep bronze to walnut color with a firm, light tan head.

Roasted malt nose with mild fruit esters back - peach, apricot, raisins. Hops mentioned burnt toast and I can definitely get that as well.

Roasted malt flavor with fruit and mellow candy sweetness back. Slightest of citrus hoppiness in the finish, but roasted malts dominate the aftertaste. Somewhat vinous, even tart in the finish with more warming.

Medium bodied with a rather spritzy mouth-feel.

I'd previously mentioned that I thought this year's Christmas was smoother than years' past, but maybe I wasn't as focused as in a direct tasting - and probably didn't have a clean palate either. This is a very robust, roasty beer. Very drinkable, but know what you're capping.

Footnote* The 2d bottle was a nice accompaniment to my home-made chili, though I think the Goose's flavor and complexity were a bit out-matched!

S.

[chazwicke]

Thanks for the review. I'm not partial to overly roasted flavors in beer. That is why most American stouts and porters are not my favorites. Some are too overdone.

[hops99]

Thanks for the review.

Uh, you're welcome....



Normally, my wife & I venture down there with friends for our annual "Christmas Ale Drinkfest", the day after Thanx. This year we couldn't make it.

Unfortunately, I haven't had the pleasure of drinking the GLBC xmas ale at the brewery in a couple of years - still tastes incredible bottled, though. That's intersting that they wouldn't serve it in pitchers. Did you try the Nosferatu this year? I was lucky to have some back in September.

[chazwicke]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by hops99
[B]Uh, you're welcome....




Thanks to both of you:o

[steveh]

Originally posted by hops99
Uh, you're welcome....

All reviews highly appreciiated, encouraged, and enjoyed - all in the interest of further enjoyment.

S.

[unkle bik]

Originally posted by hops99
Unfortunately, I haven't had the pleasure of drinking the GLBC xmas ale at the brewery in a couple of years - still tastes incredible bottled, though. That's intersting that they wouldn't serve it in pitchers. Did you try the Nosferatu this year? I was lucky to have some back in September.

Unfortunately, no. I only get up that way once or twice a year.
You most be one lucky guy.

The Winking Lizard Tavern offered it on tap then, as well. And again, I missed out. The last glass was served out the night before.:mad:

[corysdad]

I found the Goose Island Chrismas Ale to be very good. Rich and complex, nice hop nose and spicy aftertaste, no burnt toast though. My wife picked up a 6er at local grocery for me and I was pleasently surprised. I also tried SnowStorm from August Schell after it was recomended to me, but was disapointed. Too thin and weak, not enough spice for me.

[Jeff]

Originally posted by corysdad
My wife picked up a 6er at local grocery for me and I was pleasently surprised.

You must have her well trained, that would be like a dream come true for me!

[corysdad]

Originally posted by Jeff
You must have her well trained, that would be like a dream come true for me!

No training necessary, just came that way...

[steveh]

Originally posted by corysdad
...nice hop nose and spicy aftertaste, no burnt toast though...

Hop nose? I got no hops thru all that roasted malt. How cold were you drinking the brew? I wonder if being colder might mask the roasted malts and allow the hops to become more prominent.

The burnt toast (I picked out) was mellow at the back of the aroma - that sort of bready, biscuit nose mixed with all the roasted malt.

S.

[corysdad]

Originally posted by steveh
Hop nose? I got no hops thru all that roasted malt. How cold were you drinking the brew? I wonder if being colder might mask the roasted malts and allow the hops to become more prominent.

The burnt toast (I picked out) was mellow at the back of the aroma - that sort of bready, biscuit nose mixed with all the roasted malt.

S.

Ice box cold, not really letting it warm at all. Maybe not hop aroma but a nice aroma none the less. Less experienced nose I suppose. Going to have one at lunch, will let it warm some and see what comes out...

[steveh]

Originally posted by corysdad Going to have one at lunch, will let it wam some and see what comes out...

I'm working, no beer for me till later. :/

But I do have some Goose Christmas waiting at home...

S.

[corysdad]

Originally posted by steveh
I'm working, no beer for me till later. :/

But I do have some Goose Christmas waiting at home...

S.

Are you able to watch the Bears-Viks? Pretty wild game...

[steveh]

Originally posted by corysdad
Are you able to watch the Bears-Viks? Pretty wild game...

Had it on the radio - switched to Packers' Pre-Game at the half...been getting some updates. Kinda' hard to figure out who to root for - no lesser of 2 evils there for a Pack fan! ;)

S.

[steveh]

Originally posted by corysdad
nice hop nose...

Fridge cold and into my pint glass: some mellow citrus hop notes apparent - some mild DMS as well. Doesn't take long for that roastiness to assert itself, though.

The Goose web site says Crystal hops are used, BTW.

S.

[corysdad]

Originally posted by steveh
Fridge cold and into my pint glass: some mellow citrus hop notes apparent - some mild DMS as well. Doesn't take long for that roastiness to assert itself, though.

The Goose web site says Crystal hops are used, BTW.

S.

Hey, maybe my nose does work...

[davesarman]

Originally posted by corysdad
I also tried SnowStorm from August Schell after it was recomended to me, but was disapointed. Too thin and weak, not enough spice for me.

Schell's changes the style of the Snowstorm every year. This year is an amber ale, I believe. Not a bad amber ale, but not very appropriate to be labeled as their "Snow Storm" beer, in my opinion. Some years are good (they did a wee heavy a couple years ago that was good) and some years are not so good (the cherry vanilla porter I could have done without) and some years it's a decent beer but not very good for their winter beer, like this year.