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Goose Island Matilda

Top 10 Sipping Beers

Goose Island Matilda Belgian Style Pale Ale

BELGIAN STYLE PALE ALE

Goose Island Matilda

Goose Island opened its doors in Chicago in 1988 when the craft beer boom was in its infancy. In recent times, this brewery has introduced a range of Belgian-style ales, and this one definitely fits the profile. A wild yeast strain gives this offering its spicy flavor. Lemon and clove come through in the rich aroma, and the addition of granulated beet sugar further adds to its Belgian-like character. Like the iconic Belgian Orval, Matilda is made with pale and caramel malts, as well as Styrian hops, and is fermented with a Brettanomyces yeast strain that imparts spice flavors and aroma. Further evidence that it’s inspired by Orval is this beer’s name: Matilda was a young countess who lost her wedding ring during a visit to the Orval monastery. However, this Americanized version is a tad more aggressively hopped and more malty-sweet than tart. This bottle-conditioned 7 per cent ABV ale will mature in the bottle for up to five years, and will gradually develop some of the farmhouse funk of its Belgian cousin.

Price: $9 (22 oz)







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PET030310
(Updated: 11/14/12 NW)

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