Dry prune-hued 8% alcohol ‘Grand Cru of the Emperor’ opens with cork-y plum-prune thicket. Smooth aging allows alcohol to dissolve nicely into sweet Cordial warmth as honeyed yeast sediment subsides. Carbonation flattens a tad, but dusty allspice-nutmeg seasoning integrates holiday splendor with moist basement dankness and expressive grape tannin tenure.
Monthly Archives: January 2009
GOUDEN CAROLUS D’OR
Sweet tobacco-leafed maple sapping introduces intoxicating russet ale. Mid-palate, floral herbs bedeck charming caramel chocolate thicket, sinewy yeast richness, and buttery barleywine reminder. Sour raisin-cherry conflux increases overall depth.
GOSSER LAGER
Initial softly textured carbolic hop bitterness gives way to arid barley overtone. Dreary grain finish gains spicy tint after a few sips.
GOSSER DARK LAGER
Mellow ruby-maroon Munich dunkel-styled lager provides frisky hop nose to dominating chocolate malt sweetness. Cola nut illusion found amongst toasted barley seam.
GORDON BIERSCH PILSNER
Murky grains dominate sullen hops as a gust of sweet wheat gets lost amidst ill-defined cardboard din. Apprehensive sourdough finish a bit disappointing. Still, richer and heartier than most slack pilsners.
GORDON BIERSCH MARZEN
Slender mild-bodied red ale pits roasted chestnut glaze and sweet barley-oats base against discrete dry-hopped prop. Grain influence subsides quickly to subtle roasted nut finish. Serve to softhearted pilsner fans and lazy lagerheads.
GORDON BIERSCH BLONDE BOCK
Creamy butterscotch and sweet hazelnut underscore soothing hop bitterness. Unlike many subtler bocks, it’s light without skimping on fine yeast sinew (especially on tap).
GOOSE ISLAND SUMMERTIME KOLSCH
Sturdily malt-sweet German-styled hot weather refresher picks up lively orange rind bittering alongside piney hop briskness. Quince, peach, grapefruit, tangerine, and lemon curd subsume wheat-dried back end quite efficiently.
GOOSE ISLAND PILS
Soft dry-hopped fizz overlays sullen wheat variance and lemony perk, creating soured acidic alacrity justified by ripe citrus tones.
(GOOSE ISLAND) PERE JACQUES
Silky smooth copper-hazed Trappist-inspired Belgian strong ale (first released winter ’05) features chewy honeyed butterscotch thickness and syrupy overripe peach-cherry juiciness. Soured raisin-date, tangy pineapple, and clove-induced banana illusions add depth to dried fruitcake finish.
GOOSE ISLAND OATMEAL STOUT
Caramel-burnt black chocolate sway enriches maple-sapped sweetness to butternut bottom as briskly citric-hopped water crisping softens flow. Recessive mocha finish picks up wood-charred oats-toasted buttering.
GOOSE ISLAND NUT BROWN ALE
Not to be confused with brewery’s altogether fine “Hex” Nut Brown, later version brings more pronounced dark caramel essence to black chocolate richness and well-integrated honey thickness. Aromatic tobacco sweetness and chalky cocoa tinge furthermore differentiate convincing new-sprung interpretation.