Ever rub an orange rind on the rim of your espresso?
While not nearly as bitter, the flavor experience here is close. There’s an almost citrus aspect to the dark roast coffee flavors in Raven’s Eye Imperial Stout. Like candied oranges and dried fruit. The layer of lacey foam that swirls on top adds to the freshly brewed similarities. The mouthfeel is more like a chilled mocha; creamy and surprisingly full. Coating your tongue with bright highlights of cocoa, molasses, and coffee. I could easily wake up to this. Then again, at 9.5% ABV I couldn’t easily go to sleep with it, too.
This was my first from See the rest »
Goose Island Matilda
Popped into the Wrigleyville Goose Island Brewpub while in Chicago and got to finally taste their belgian brew that’s been getting so much buzz, Matilda. Deserved of the attention, this Belgian Pale Ale is sweet, spicy, and boozier tasting than the already-healthy ABV suggests at 7%. Look for this in bombers, too.
Goose Island Bourbon County Stout 2009
Does this really need to be in a 22 oz bomber? At 14% ABV, really? The answer is: Abso-freakin-lutely. Sure, you’d be more than done for the evening. But this black nectar is so damn tasty it’s worth it.
The best description of this beer I ever read was on Twitter. It was so spot-on that I bookmarked the damn thing:
That captures it. It’s thick yet smooth. Sweet but not cloying. With dark chocolate, molasses, licorice, and coffee flavors abound on every sip. Just like liquid chocolate unicorn dreams. This 2009 bottling tastes a little harsher than the 2008, but am sure it’ll smooth out in time. The bombers make shelving ‘n aging even more rewarding.
Conan O’Brien Pale Ale
When Conan stopped in here during his weeklong Chicago stint, he helped Brewmaster Greg Hall make a batch of what was originally called Conan The Red but the host insisted on Pale.
Deep Fried Pickle with Chipotle Ranch at Goose Island
If you’re ever near a Goose Island Brewpub in Chicago get a basket of these bad boys. Kinda like Deep Fried Zucchini, only pickled. And better.
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This awesomely-named brew is actually a collaborative effort. From a thing Sierra Nevada does called “Beer Camp.” They invite big cheeses from other breweries to not only geek out on all things Sierra, but concoct a new beer recipe together, brew it, then take it back to their own brewpub’s to share with their peeps. Pretty rad.
Hopefully Toronado will snag some. Keep your eyes out.
More info at Beer Spot.
