Goose Island Demolition doesn't live up to the packaging hype
Mar 12 '05
The Bottom Line There are better choices available at lower prices, like Unibroue Terribel
Today, while looking for a special beer to celebrate the championship run of my beloved Fighting Illini basketball team, I found a 4-pack of Goose island Demolition Ale. I hadn’t seen it before so I checked out the packaging.
I bought this brew for several reasons:
1. It’s by Goose Island, who is local within the Chicago area and I like many of their other brews.
2. A Belgian-style ale, which is a type whose flavor I enjoy.
3. 8.0% ABV means good buzz per bottle
4. I’m always a sucker for intriguing packaging. Many times the brew doesn’t live up to the packaging hype, but I’ve never stopped trying. The story behind this brew is that they brewed this beer to celebrate the customers who stayed with their brewpub in the early 90’s while the mall around them was demolished and renovated.
”If not for the most loyal of our customers, Goose Island would have closed. To honor these brave souls, we brewed a strong golden ale called Demolition. It was so good and so popular, we’ve brewed it every year since.”
So, I cranked open a bottle:
The Nose
A surprisingly modest Belgian hop aroma. I expected something a little more powerful.
The Pour
Quick-forming, rich head which lingered. The color was a light amber, certainly within blond range.
The Taste
Like the nose, a very modest taste. Not much Belgian hop taste. There was a hint of fruit, but I couldn’t get more specific. The body felt fairly heavy, which the ABV would reinforce.
The Aftertaste
Nothing much to speak of. Maybe a hint of Belgian flavor.
The Aftermath
A quick, pleasant buzz, plus a slight case of the sniffles as I have a MILD allergy to wheat.
I have no intention of driving anywhere anytime soon.
I did not have anything to eat with it, although I agree that it would complement a strong meat dish – steak, smoked cold cuts or strong cheeses adequately.
This was certainly adequate, but I’m not likely to buy it again. Uniobroue Terribel is a better choice, as are a plethora of Belgian and Belgian Style ales that deliver more flavor and as much or more ABV at a lower price.
Thanks for reading. God bless!
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