Goose Island Matilda

This is a solid effort by Goose Island. It’s very subtle, but a nice maltiness and a slightly spicy yeastiness. Clean finish. Nothing extraordinary, but very pleasant.

OTH tasting 09/06/08. Pours crystal clear deep gold with thin white head. The aroma is full with coriander spice notes, sugary sweet Belgian candi sugar, mild brown sugar, hints of grainy malts and more spiciness. The taste has sweet notes seducing the palate first with mild esters, assorted spices and a faint yet growing pepper seem to round out the smooth blended flavor. There’s more going on here but I’m struggling putting words to the experience.

This is a nearly perfect beer. Pours a dark amber, with an aroma that hits you right off the bat. A smooth citrus with subtle hops and a sweetness that doesn’t overpower. Ends with a pleasant bitterness on the aftertaste. I can’t recommend this enough. Once again proving that Goose Island is always on the cutting edge.

GABF 08: Lightish body but chewy flavors. Bready, yeasty, wholesome and earthy malt flavors. Pleasant spices along with some background fruit. Nice beer but it didn’t stand out among other Goose Island offerings.

(10/10/08) Draught sample at the brewpub in Clybourn, Chicago. It was on the menu as "Reserve Matilda" but I guess it’s the same one. Slightly hazy amber color. Aroma of malt, caramel, fruits and mild yeasty spiciness. Sweet caramelly flavor with malt, some yeast, fruits and a quite spicy finish with some bitterness. Medium-bodied. Pretty nice.

Bottled. An unclear amber beer with a thin lazing orangey head. The aroma is sweet and very fruity - especially oranges, as well as light notes of yeast. The flavor is sweet malty with notes of caramel, fruit, and yeast, leading to a dry spicy finish. Thanks Papsoe for sharing.

Here’s an opaque deep honey brew topped by a thin near white head, presented by notes of pepper and maybe cinnamon, but a nice spectrum of hops and sweetness that makes it a winner.

On tap. Amber brown with little head. Very little aroma - bit of malt. Low carbonation - thin mouthfeel at first but lingering aftertaste. Flavor is fairly bland. Spice, some bitterness is there, but not much else. Rather unimpressed.