Goose Island Beer Company Christmas Ale

Christmas Ale

 

Goose Island Beer Company in Chicago, Illinois, United States 🇺🇸

  Brown Ale - American Winter Out of Production
Score
6.91
ABV: 7.5% IBU: - Ticks: 99
Specialty Belgian malts create a deep garnet color and a truly rich old European flavor in our classic Christmas Ale. And the generous amount of crystal hops adds that extra spicy aroma to your pint, perfect for a wintry night. Our Christmas Ale brings good tidings and joy to each Holiday Season. A two-time Gold Medal Winner in the World Beer Championships.

The original Goose Island Christmas Ale clocked in at 5.7% ABV. There was no 2010 vintage. The 2011 vintage saw a bump to 6.2% ABV but no new entry. The 2012 vintage was bumped up further to 7.5% ABV.
 

Sign up to add a tick or review

Join Us


     Show


5.9
Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 5.5 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 5 | Overall - 6

Finally getting to one of my12-oz. 2012 bottles. There is some oxidation in the nose, yes. Slightly hazy but deep brown. Yes, some oxidation in the palate, too, but that's no worse than I could expect. Still some nutty roast malt. Some spice still swimming around.

Tried from Bottle on 18 Jun 2025 at 03:19


7.4
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 6.5

22 oz 2009 bottle. Brown pour, lacing, heavy brown sugar aroma and taste. Mild spice and hops to finish.

Tried from Bottle on 20 May 2025 at 01:04


6.5
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6

Bottle - pours brown - nose/taste of cocoa, caramel, malt and spiced date - medium body.

Tried from Bottle on 01 Jun 2016 at 22:49


Beer tick image

7.4
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

Sample at the 2014 Infected Chimipalooza on 11/01/2014. This holiday beer is a reddish-brown color with a thin dark beige head that dissapeared pretty fast. Thin, stringy lacing. The aroma is pleasantly roasty and malty, with a bit of spice thrown in. The flavor is hard to categorize, as it has elements of a Belgian and an Alt. Fruit, malt, spice and caramel flavors are all there. The finish is sweet fruit with a touch of hops. Overall this is a good beer for the holidays.

Tried from Bottle on 12 Nov 2014 at 12:10


7
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

How: Bottle, 2011 vintage.
Where: Monk’s American Bar, Stockholm.
Appearance: Amber colour with a beige head.
Aroma: Malt, caramel, fruit, citrus, hops.
Body: Medium body and carbonation.
Flavour: Malt, caramel, fruit, spices, hops.

Tried from Bottle on 05 Nov 2014 at 22:18


7.6
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

Bottle at home, 2011 vintage. Pours copper, light toffee, pine, dried fruit, caramel.

Tried from Bottle on 09 Jul 2014 at 23:30



5.5
Appearance - 4 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 5

2012 vintage. 7,3%. Unclead brown. Little head. Aroma of dates and other dried fruits. Similar taste and aftertaste with orange marlelade, pale toffee and sweet vanilla.

Tried on 05 Apr 2014 at 10:35


5.4
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 4 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 5.5

Flaske (11.05.12), 7,3%: hm, litt svak aroma sier Sigmund og vi nikker alle bekreftende. Uklar og lite skum. Smak av litt sure plommer kombinert med maltsødme. Ikke god, ikke dårlig, bare litt kjedelig.

Tried on 05 Apr 2014 at 10:31


5.8
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 4 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6

Shared bottle at local tasting, from Voldby Købmandsgaard. 2012 vintage, 7.3% ABV. Weak aroma, brown malts and bread, hints of stale jam. The flavour is better than the aroma, malty with a slightly warming mouthfeel. Hints of spices. Okay, but not really impressive.

Tried from Bottle on 05 Apr 2014 at 10:27