Goose Island Matilda

Poured from a chilled 355ml bottle into a snifter. Had a bit of a nightmare with it, took about ten minutes to pry the top off without it exploding. To say it’s lively is a gross understatement. Appearance: Orangey amber colour, with a big super foamy head. Carbonic to the point of the bubbles actually trying to leap out of the glass. Aroma: The aromas were surprisingly weak. I got a bit of spiciness, and a yeasty acidity. Medicinal, a bit like antiseptic. Taste: Again the taste was weak, it was as if the beer had been watered down. There was a slight fruity sweetness, with a clear acidic yeastiness. Mouthfeel: It had a medium feel that was trying to be heavy, and a hyperactive liveliness. Drinkability: This to me is unfortunately a sub-par imitation of a strong Belgian ale. It has the right tastes and aromas but they are far too weak and never seem to quite break through enough.

2008 Bottle:10/10/08 date: Didn’t chill and it gushed. Light amber. Large,fizzy head. Settles to a uniform,clingy,ring. Aroma of spicy/fruit,yeast,sweet malt giving off a brown sugar aroma,and muted earthy hops because of the age. Alcohol is also noticeable in the aroma. Medium,lightly fizzy texture. Very soft. Upfront light candied,fruit(pineapple,orange),with the spicy yeast,before the finish. The sweet malt and yeast begin to balance after opening up a bit and biscuit like malt flavors become a little more evident. Finish is sweet still holding a noticeable earthy/herbal hop presence making it somewhat dry. Lingering sweet/yeasty flavors in the mouth,which overpower the finish. Not too bad.

2008 bottle Poured into an Orval chalice in honor of the beautiful countess. Nice big fluffy white head that quickly turns into a medium sized head over top a hazy golden colored beer. Aroma is a little sweet spicy and fruity. Flavor is considerably less sweet and more complex than the aroma. Flavors start off with a little sweetness and some fruity flavors that predominantly feature pear. Slightly spicy and a little hoppy with a bit of alcohol. The hoppiness is slightly herbal and seems a little nicer than when this is totally fresh, I don’t exactly know why.

12 oz bottle. Pours golden amber with a white head. Aroma is very lemony, with some yeasty cloves. Flavor is cloves, biscuit, and a perfumy floral hop flavor. Honey finish. Quite a nice beer.

2008 bottle, shared @ Smithfield Hotel Manchester. Slightly hazy amber color, creamy head. Very sweet ,fruity and malty. Oranges, spices some yeast. interesting stuff.

Bottle. Nice head with medium duration. Color is amber. Aroma and taste are rich caramel, fruits, yeast and malt.

12oz bottle into a trappist glass. Definitely Belgian, but lacking flavor... flat in profile.

Bottle, 2008 vintage. Hazy orange with off white head. Yeast, fruit, grain and caramel in aroma. Sweet flavour with yeast, caramel, fruit and malt. Quite carbonated.