Spotty yeast sediment clouds alcohol-fueled burnished gold tripel. Sour malt aroma and maize-like astringency severely downsize floral-hopped honeysuckle savor, but brimming creaminess will knock guzzlers for a loop. Sticky ethanol malt liquor cheapness ruins the buzz.
All posts by John Fortunato
GOUDEN CAROLUS NOEL
Rich prune-hued winter seasonal proudly displays sugary spice and everything nice. Lovely overripe purple grape landscape picks up burgundy-dried raisin thrust. Tongue-tingling prickly hops awaken mint-y green apple satchel, souring to ester-y white wine reticence.
GOUDEN CAROLUS D’OR 2000
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.
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.