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
6.94
ABV: 7.5% IBU: - Ticks: 103
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.
 

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5.6
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 5.5

12 oz. 2012 vintage at 7.3 % ABV. Why would anyone cellar this beer?? The flavor is sweet sugary malts, dark fruit and some nutty notes with a medium bitterness toward the finish. Some light lingering bitterness. Real plain. Or maybe it’s plain compare to what I was drinking just before this. I wouldn’t ever buy this again. Meh

Tried on 06 Jan 2013 at 15:37


6.6
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 6.5

Bottle. Roasty brown bread aroma. Murky chestnut with a small beige head. Roasty malt, toast, nuts, and caramel flavor with a slightly bitter spice finish. Medium to full body, moderate carbonation.

Tried from Bottle on 25 Dec 2012 at 14:32


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

2012 Vintage. 3 finger yellow-ish head that fades slowly. Burnt orange / copper appearance. Smells of copper, lemons and spices. Bready yeast. Sweet, candied sugar, peppercorn and other spices. Very warming taste and a bit of belgian goodness. solid beer.

Tried from Can on 24 Dec 2012 at 19:31


6.5
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 5

Bottle @ home, picked up at Aggie Liquor in Fort Collins. This is the first time I’ve seen it in Foco. Pours a hazy orangish brown appearance with a creamy, light brown head. Just a touch fruity, plum, toasty caramel malty, a bit nutty aroma. Creamy, hazel nutty, light vanilla, toasty malty, light herbal bitter hoppy flavor. Not bad but I’m not blown away. Note: as it warms up there is a chocolate covered raspberry note that is nice.

Tried from Bottle on 29 Nov 2012 at 20:03


7.8
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

2012 vintage. 12 ounce bottle. 7.3% ABV>Pours a cloudy copper-red color with a medium-sized beige head. Aroma hints a roasted malt and subtle maple and walnuts. Upfront, yeasty chocolate malt flavor with notes of dried fruit and toasted nuts. Some bitter hops in finish, but the malt dominates the palate. The complex maliness reminds me of dark baked bread with raisins. Their is an element of Belgian character without the residual sweetness. Very different and very tasty.

Tried from Bottle on 24 Nov 2012 at 17:33


7.4
Appearance - 10 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 7.5

Distinct walnut nose with perhaps honey in the background, reminiscent of baklava. Cloudy brown, medium yellow head, fair lacing. Flavor full of walnut. Alcohol not noticeable. Fair level of malt bitterness, hops not detected. Well conceived.

Tried on 24 Nov 2012 at 14:47


7.8
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

2012 vintage, the bottle says it’s 7.3% abv Pours a slightly hazy deep auburn color with a huge khaki head that persists for a while leaving minimal lace on the way down the glass. Wonderful aroma of dark fruits like plums, dark cherries, prunes, and raisins. Lots of caramel and dark sugar aroma as well as a hint of alcohol and a bit of citrus and spicy hop. The flavor is sweet with lots of dark sugars and melanoidins. Light fruit flavors mixed with a bit of hay and I’m getting chestnuts? as well. Light spicy citrus bite and a touch of ethanol keeps everything on balance. Medium body with a light level of carbonation and a sweet almost syrupy mouthfeel. I quite enjoyed this beer, its an interesting fusion of styles. I find it like a dopplebock meets a Belgian strong dark only lighter in body and add some hops.

Tried from Bottle on 16 Nov 2012 at 18:19


8

Sweet, spice is there but hidden. A little sneaks out now and again. Good this year

Tried on 15 Nov 2012 at 15:59


6.2
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6

2011 bottle 6.2%. Wooden nose. Cloudy brown, low offwhite head. Somewhat oxidised, roast and wood. medium body, mellow mouthfeel. Nice enough.

Tried from Bottle on 06 Nov 2012 at 15:11


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

12 ounce bottle from Beer Run. Pours a hazy reddish-copper color with a large foamy tan head. Decent head retention. Aroma of toffee malts, spicy and citrus notes. The is very citrusy, anise and other spices, candied citrus, sweet toffee malts and a slight lingering bitterness. Medium bodied. Decent, but a little sweet.

Tried from Bottle on 27 Oct 2012 at 15:01