Monday, December 14, 2009

Goose Island Beer Company's 2009 Christmas Ale

Brown Ale? For a Christmas Seasonal? Admittedly, I have no idea if they brew this on a regular basis as a brown, but I'm all for a switch from the regular Christmas/winter warmer beers.

Pours coppery, shaded brown, with a huge tan head that sticks forever. Looks good, but not like a brown so far.

Wow. Hoppiest brown I've smelled since Palo Santo (which is not a %%$*&%*&*ing brown). Grassy hops are prevalent, with a malt backing that isn't too sweet.

Smooth. Goes down very nicely, but the first thing that grabs you is the grassy hops again. This feels and tastes like an IPA, and a good one at that. In fact, it's the best Goose Island beer I've had. It's just not a brown. It also gets very sweet as it warms, like an IPA. No nutty flavor, and it doesn't dry quickly like many browns either.

Don't let that stop you from buying it if you run across it though. It's a damn good beer.

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