Goose Island Imperial IPA

Possibly showinf signs of age, this brew has a full butter mouthfeel. Very strong grapefruit aroma, likewise flavour, all integrated into smooth malty body with a great bitterness balance. Not a crazy overblown IIPA.

12oz. Bottle $16.99 4-Pack Liquor Stop Goose Island Imperial IPA has quickly become one of my favorite IIPAs on the market. It poured a slightly hazed orange that glows when held to the light. Small carbonation bubbles rise slowly toward the swirling white head with small islands of foam. There’s a good amount of sticky patching. The slow rise of carbonation shows the thicker body. This cliche is used a lot but when you’re even around this beer when it’s cracked open you suddenly get smacked by a mouth watering pine and resin hoppiness. When I smell deeper the main hop aroma is resin but closly followed by pine. Not pine needles but pine sap. There’s even a some citrus in there. Not much but it’s there. It comes in the form of a juicy mango and tart grapefruit. Layer upon layer of hoppiness. The malt is barely detected in the smell. Just the way a IIPA should be. The flavor of this beer is so mouthwateringly good. Pine sap starts things off and leads the way. Around mid-palate someone squeezed a few drops of lemon juice in there. After the citrus passes the big resin hoppiness brings up the rear. As it warms there is even a subtle hop leaf character. An unbelievable hop complexity with a strong but not overpowering bitterness. This is all evened with the malt trying to keep up but falling short. An alcohol warming in the cheeks and throat but just fumes in the flavor. Gives you those nice pine needle burps. This is an exceptional tasting IIPA. The first time I bought this beer and took a look after the pour I thought the body was going to be a little too thick for my liking. It’s not at all. The body is on the thicker side of medium but this just helps the resiny hops coat the entire mouth. Mild carbonation lets it work it’s way through on it’s own. This beer is a sipper but would be easy to sip on all day long. Definately an enjoyable expierence every time I crack one open. This is one of the best Imperial IPAs I’ve ever tasted. The hop complexity just blows my mind. Never have I had a beer with such complex hoppiness. My only complaint about this beer is the price. It’s worth every penny but the price tag keeps me from enjoying it as much as I’d like to. An excellent example of a IIPA and hard to beat. 2/3/07

Poured into a tulip glass- pours out a cloudy marmalade. A really orangy glow to this sucker. Minimal head. Smell is candied fruit and sweet malts- I didn’t get a balst of hops that’s for sure. Taste- some initial boozy hotness, which flows into a thick smooth sipper. Sweet cookie dough malts intertwined with the hops. Hops are fruity and spicy- not astringent. A very balanced DIPA, although a bit sweet and cloying. Drinkability suffers some due to the sweetness- I’m glad they put this in a 12 ounce bottle, as bomber would be tough to put down by yourself. A well done, if not a little pricey beverage.

Light Amber Color with Off White Head. Balanced Hop Potency on the Nose. Medium Body..Hop Coating Mouthfeel. Sweet Malt Foundation.. Dry, Strong, but Balanced Hop Flavor. Very Nice and Quite Seductive as the Alcohol Is Well Hid. Very Nice.

This is a very full flavored beer. I cannot distinguish it from a barley-wine. Lots of citrusy, tangy hops and tons of malt. This is a thick, sweet, hoppy beer. I’m surprised the alcohol is as high as it is...very well hidden.

My Bottom Line:
Orangey, coniferous hoppiness is deftly lifted above the hefty bready cereals in this highly competent and flavorful Imperial IPA.

Further Personal Perceptions:
-A veil of foam tops the glowing hazy orange.
-Hoppiness is intense and complex, spanning from citrusy fruitiness to wooden and herbal connotations.
-Carbonation is frothy yet doesn’t bother the palate.
-Hop bitterness hangs on healthily and delivers what was expected.
-All flavors are well integrated in the flavor profile.
-Maltiness doesn’t provide loads of flavors, but it does make up a nourishing body.

Bottled on 11/03/2005.

Bottle. Pours with a beautiful amber color and a medium head. Aromas of fruit, pine, resin. Very complex and smooth with flavors of malts, floral notes, hops, resin and a lasting bitterness. very creamy mouthfeel, a well balanced and complex DIPA.

Nice looking orange-amber with a medium head. Aroma is very thick with sweet citrus & grassy hops with some sugary malt sweetness detectable. Taste is obviously hoppy - but well balanced (if you can call it that) for a IIPA. Tasty & thick with grassy hops and malt sweetness. Simcoe seems to dominate here - wonderful brew.