The last three Goose Island beers I had were particularly expensive, and they were particularly good. This is more of a commodity beer, and it takes the form of a hazy IPA. The drink-by date on the bottom of the can is almost 2 months away, so I am anticipating a fresh and delicious beverage. Of course, I always expect that, and often I am gratified to find exactly what my expectations laid out for me. What I'm trying to say is - I'm thirsty.
The pale yellow beer has only a modicum of haze to it. I'm not sure I would've classified this as a hazy beer if they hadn't put it on the can. The pale yellow color is so diffuse, that I would've guessed that this was a light beer or an all day IPA. The head leaves traces of lacing as it goes down to an incomplete island in the middle of the beer, and the aroma is strong with citrus and tropical fruits over pine resin.First sip is a very good, well-balanced beer. The heaviness of the fruits that turn into rind would normally be counterpointed with a lot of bitterness on the backend, but I am not picking it up. Instead, the indistinct malt is managing to stave off the bitterness to leave the beverage relatively refreshing and mostly hide the 6.8% ABV lurking in the depths. I'm not tasting any of the pine that I thought I smelled, and I think I was misinterpreting the rind/peel nature of the fruits.
Tip-in is moderate carbonation sizzle with light lemon and grapefruit mixing with a somewhat watery starfruit. The middle comes into its own with a rise of carbonation burn throughout the entire mouth while the fruit becomes smooth and docile through the center of the mouth. The finish, indeed, hides a bit of bitterness where the fruits all turn to rinds for an extended trail off.
Bottom Line: I could bearhug this beer hug.
3.75/5