Goose Island Matilda

Brewed by Goose Island Beer Company
Style: Belgian Ale
Chicago, Illinois USA

This beer is all about the aroma. As willblake said below, the aroma of this beer is a knockout. There is sweetness from the malts, flowery perfume, a note I can only describe as a fresh outdoorsiness, some spicy yeast, and lightly citrus hops. Absolutely top-notch. Everything else about this beer is secondary to the aroma, and cannot quite live up to it. The appearance is bright orange, with rough carbonation and a small, quickly dissipating head of fat bubbles. Flavor is a fair bit more muted than the aroma, being largely sweet and malty, with some yeastiness and some sweet fruitiness, and no hop to speak of. This is very good beer; the flavor is about average but the aroma is absolutely outstanding.

2007 vintage. This is truly an interesting brew. Pours a cloudy dark orange-amber color. A huge, rocky, off-white head settles to a thin layer, leaving nice ribbony lacing behind on the glass. The aroma is definitely Belgian inspired, but with a hoppy American twist. Big caramel malts and citrus hops are accompanied by a uniquely foreign, bready yeast strain. Smells almost like a Belgian triple crashed into a citrusy IPA. The flavor followed along those same lines, with notes of orange and peach running into sweet, yeasty dough and various sweet, pale malts. There’s definitely some cream in there as well. Finishes short and fairly clean. The substantial body is smooth but slightly cloying. This brew gets points for originality, but the execution isn’t out of this world. Solid beer, but not exceptional.

Excellent fruity flavor. Thick amber color..light, thin head. Initial peach flavor. Good beer!

12oz bottle(’07 vintage)-An orangish-amber body with a small tight off white head and an aroma of yeast, malt, citrus, and a little hops. Taste of this light to medium bodied brew is of yeast, malt, metallic, and some hops. Goes down very smooth and is pretty tasty. Not the best Belgian but darn good. 800th rating

Super comfortable and cozy in the mouth. Smooth and creamy, easy to just keep hastening it down all morning long.

Bottle: Pours amber with a small head. Very fruity aroma and flavor. Palate is a little thin. Very drinkable.

3-2-08 bottle shared at tasting.
Orange amber with a decent head. Smell is sweet citris malt and perhaps a bit of hops. Has a bit of the funky Belgian musk to it - but it isn’t overpowering or out of place. Flavor is a bit bland actually and not very fulfilling. Mouthfeel is average. Overall, nothing too great - just a very muted beer.

a tribute to orval from greg. decent belgian style ale. cloudy yellow pour with almost no head. tartness of fresh fall apples and citrus notes. nice balance of malt to go with astringent hops.