Goose Island is considered to be one of the best breweries in the world despite their recent purchase by giant conglomerate AB-Inbev. Their lineup of barrel aged Bourbon County stouts have found huge critical acclaim among craft beer nerds. Matilda is a 7% ABV Belgian Pale Ale brewed with brettanomyces a wild fungi commonly found on the skin of fruits.
Matilda pours a gorgeous bright golden orange with a spritzy effervescence and a thin dense packet of yellowish head. Just a glorious appearance on all counts. The nose is subtly bretty with tons of floral hop and fruit notes. Notes of lemon peel, orange rind, pineapple, grains of paradise. Sweet and smooth complexion with a hop forward accent with just gorgeous floral and ester notes. The finish is mildly bitter and has a bit of hop resin smack with a mild Brett note. Opens up a bit with light funky and mold earthy green grape and fruity note. Overall, just an incredible brew with both intense Belgian ester and floral green leafy hop notes. Mild and subtle brettanomyces and musty Belgian accents round out the palate and make this a simply incredible beer.
Grade: 91/100. Price: $7.89 (in California
The Alberta BeerSmith 