People giving me or sending me beer is always a good thing but when you receive a beer from someone that has been "aged" there is always that hesitancy to drink it because there is so much involved in aging a beer properly. Was it away from the light? Was it under the proper temperatures? Can it be aged?
So when my former boss from Southern Eagle, Trey Reinhardt, came into the store the other day and brought me a 4 pack of Goose Island Matilda from 2006 I was both excited and a bit hesitant. I guess hesitant isn't really all that true since I'm willing to try just about anything and even once drank a vintage 1998 Natty Light last year just because it was the only beer my parents had in their fridge. Not bad actually. Anyways, it was incredibly generous of Trey and I was really excited to get home to drink it. Here is the review:
Brewery: Goose Island Beer Company
Beer: Matilda 2006 Vintage
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale
ABV: 7%
Recommended Glassware: Snifter, Tulip or Over sized Wine Glass
Serving Type: Tulip
Appearance- This beer was a gusher! I lost 1/4 of the beer upon opening. I was warned ahead of time so thankfully I was prepared. The beer poured a nice hazy orange with a huge, cloud like fluffy off white head. Lacing was present throughout the short life of the beer.
Smell- Wow. Nice hints of cherries, apples, citrus and a nice barnyard mustiness.
Taste- The smell and taste are almost identical. It has a nice malty sweetness with again hints of cherry, apples and citrus. The beer also has a nice sour quality to it as well. The hops add a nice spicy pepper quality and give it some bitterness.
Mouthfeel- Nice medium body with lots of carbonation.
Overall- An incredible beer that I wish we could get ahold of down here in Louisiana. My former boss at Southern Eagle who gave me this beer can help with that! (Hint, hint Trey!) Goose Island did a great job recreating a Belgian beer.
Score:
4.5 out of 5 Buddhas
3 comments:
I just got a bottle of Goose Island 'Bourbon County Brand Stout' that I'm dying to try, but it looks like something that might age well also. Anyway, I'm not sure when I'm going to have it, now or later, but based on your post of Goose Island's Matilda 06 I'm sure it will be good!
Mmmm I love Goose Island. Visited the brewery in Chicago once and had some really great Imperials. I have had a recent vintage of Matilda and liked it a lot, so I am sure the aged one is great as well!
Awesome post! Thanks!
Love. It. I had the good fortune to get some on tap in Chicago. If you throw in the bourbon barrel aged imperial stout it's almost worth the trip!
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