Mark
Thanks to Mike for sending me this bottle of Honker's Ale from Goose Island Beer Company in Chicago, Illinois. The Honker's Ale pours out copper in color with good clarity and is topped with an off-white head that is just over a finger tall and is frothy. After a few minutes the head recedes to a thick film. On the nose, this is quite malty with bready and caramel aromas. Some hoppy aromas are there, mostly earth and a little pine, but they are faint. In the mouth, this is very smooth and quite sweet. Toffee, nuts and some fruit that eventually give way to a mild, lemon citrus note. Light side of medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Thick sheets of lacing on the glass. Slightly sticky mouthfeel. The finish is quite long and this is where the ale is the most bitter.
A nice example of an Americanized English Bitter. Good flavor, good balance and very quaffable at 4.2% ABV. Recommended.
12 ounce bottle, 4.2% ABV, bottled on Nov 30, 11
This Honker's Ale was brewed in Portsmouth, NH
Beer 44 of 366 for 2012
