Goose Island Naughty Goose

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

650ml bottle
A $2.99 special at Binny’s in Chicago this was a nice find. While it did not rock my world I would certainly have bought more at that price point. This represents everything that a brown ale should be at a price that is near impossible to beat. If it is still around snap it up while you can.

Aroma / Appearance - The carbonated maroon body sparkled in the light. Chocolately hops, damp earth, and a bit of smoke give it an interesting texture.

Flavor / Palate - The sharp first impression of bitterness cedes to cocoa nibs and other dryness. By the time it gets to the throat it has a toned down aspect that gives it some depth. Overall though it is a fair sessionable beer that has little to set it apart in a crowded field. Nonetheless there was little risk for the reward of a competently made brown ale.

Brown w/ the slightest hint of red. Tan head of mostly fine bubbles w/ a few big ones here and there. Nose is mild, malty w/ some husky grain notes. Mild, porterish flavor w/ a twinge of roast and nuttiness. Finishes w/ a soft, subtle bitterness to round things out. Just enough carbonation to keep it interesting. A solid beer, maybe more so than it gets credit for.

Pours... brown. Light fiz, which doesn’t last much past the pour. Aroma is very malt forward, chocolate and toffee stand out. Flavor is similar, very malt forward, coffee grounds. Its good, but nothing special stands out.

Bottle courtesy of decoman from TBS. Thanks! Pours a clear but very dark brown. Smell is nuts and coffee - hazelnut, espresso, etc. - you get the picture. Taste is similar. Definite hazelnut, a lingering black coffee aftertaste. Some toffee/caramel in the taste too - sorta reminds me of a bit o honey. Very good, one of the best brown’s I’ve had.

TAP: brown pour, tan head. Nut and caramel on the nose, maybe some slight hop aroma as well. Taste is caramel, cocoa, and slightly bitter. Good brown ale.

Pours a dark brown with light tan head. Aroma is nutty brazilian nuts with malty notes. Flavor is more malty with mild notes. body is light with medium carbonation.

22 oz bottle. The beer pours with a thick sticky tan head. The nose is quite herbal and spicy with a prominent hoppiness. Fresh cocoa and chocolate malts with a nice toffeeish character in the middle. A bit of lingering sweet caramel and cocoa that works with the lightly spicy hoppiness. I always thought I hated brown ales, but I find myself liking these more Americanized versions quite a bit. This is the 3rd or 4th that I’ve enjoyed in the last few weeks.

On tap at GABF 2009. Dark brown in color with a medium off-white head. Aroma is nuts, cocoa, mild roast, and caramel. Flavor is caramel and chocolate malt, toffee, nuts, roast, and mild hop bitterness. Medium body with average carbonation. Solid for the style but not a standout.