227. Goose Island Honker’s Ale

Our first beer from Goose Island in Chicago, IL. Honker’s Ale has a bready and lightly roasty nose; the color is a dull copper with a light white head that quickly reduces to a ring, but laces the glass quite nicely. Opening with a bready and slightly toasted malt profile, Honker’s Ale moves into a rounded malt middle with low levels of bitterness peeking through. The finish is soft and malty and is reached through a light carbonation bite in the second third of the beer, and there is a bit of lingering bitterness. The body is light to medium with a bit of dryness that strikes the palate as a bit flat. A well crafted beer, but not terribly exciting, although very drinkable.

From the bottle: “Inspired by visits to English country pubs, Honker’s is the perfect blend of hops and malt. A smooth, drinkable English-style Bitter for drinkers who want more from their beer.”

From the Goose Island website: “Inspired by visits to English country pubs, Honker’s Ale combines a fruity hop aroma with a rich malt middle to create a perfectly balanced beer. Immensely drinkable, Honker’s Ale is not only the beer you can trust but one you’ll look forward to time and again.”

ABV: 4.2%

IBU: 30

Malts: 2-row, Caramel, Wheat, & Roasted Barley

Hops: Styrian Golding

(2/12/2010)