Goose Island- Harvest Ale

The first review of specialty fall season beers is the not-so-good Goose Island Harvest Ale. I have always been a big fan of the 312 Urban Wheat Ale by Goose Island, so I thought I'd give their Harvest Ale a chance. After I cracked open the first bottle and took the first sip, I knew this was not going to be a beer that I really liked.

Harvest Ale is categorized as American Extra Special Bitter, and this statement is quite true. This is one of the more bitter beers that I have ever had. To make this beer more palatable, I had to pair it with a polish sausage. Overall, this beer is only for the bitter drinkers. It has a very strong hop aroma and a very smoky after taste.

This beer has a dark copper color and is best if drunk in a Willi. The Willi is a popular European glass best suited to German lighter colored beers. In short, this is a glass that is skinny towards the bottom, bows out towards the top, and then narrows again. This design is made to hold in the rich flavor of the foam.

Now to my rating. I have given this brew a lot of tasting and thought. After drinking a six pack over the past week, it is hard for me to give Harvest Ale a very high rating. Out of five stars, I give this one and one half stars. If you are into very bitter beer this may be your forte, but it does not leave me wanting more. Until next week, happy beer tasting!

Pair with these foods:

-Chicken

-Turkey

-Sausage

Beer info:

Style of Beer: Extra Special Bitter Ale

ABV (Alcohol by Volume): 5.7%

Color: Copper

Where to buy in the 402:

-Hy-Vee

-N-Street liquor

-Most grocery stores