Brewer's Notes:
Inspired by visits to English country pubs, Honker’s Ale combines a fruity hop aroma with a rich malt middle to create a perfectly balanced beer. Immensely drinkable, Honker’s Ale is not only the beer you can trust but one you’ll look forward to time and again.Recipe Information:
Style: English Style BitterAlcohol By Volume: 4.2%
International Bitterness Units: 30
Color: Golden Sunset
Hops: Styrian Golding
Malts: 2 Row, Caramel, Wheat, Roasted Barley
Serving Suggestions:
Preferred Glass: Tulip PintFood Pairings: Burgers, Fish and Chips
Cheese Pairings: Camembert, English Cheddar
Cellaring Notes: Enjoy within 180 days
Availability:
Year RoundBottles: 6 & 12pks
Draft: 1/6 & 1/2bbl
World Beer Cup Recognition:
Judging Category: English Style Bitter2006: Bronze Medal
Great American Beer Festival Recognition:
Judging Category: English Style Bitter1997: Gold Medal
I am really late to the game so I am trying to make up for that by being the first to comment on today's beer. I wasn't a fan, too bitter for me. I gave it to Jon and instead went back and drank the peach beer I missed at the beginning which I thought was much better.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this beer. This is the type of beer I love to drink. Loved every drop and wish I had a few more of these. This could break into my regular rotation. 8.75 out of 10, A-
ReplyDeleteagreed how much is this per 6 pack? do you know
DeleteObviously this is Ro's favorite beer since she's been using the sixer we had before to chase peach and other offensive beers. I'm a big Goose Island fan and this is my favorite one. A nice combination of hops and malt. In the end, I'd vote for more hops but I have no problem with this beer. It's been a regular for years and it will always be. I've got a lot of friends who were very upset when Bud purchased Goose Island but it's just distribution and if it makes it easier to buy around here, I'll take it.
ReplyDeleteSince many of my December beer reviews involved fond memories of said beers, I figure it's time to kick this off on Day 12. It was back in the summer of aught-aught. A bunch of us headed to Chicago for a beach ultimate tournament (yes, that is technically a beach along the lake). Temperatures were hot and humid and old people were dying and the locals couldn't handle it. Being from DC, we were unfazed. So after Day One, our team was off to a surprising record and we celebrated with several beers and tequila shots on the field. For some not so bright idea we then headed back to the hotel for some illegally smuggled absinthe and then ended up at the Goose Island brew pub for several rounds of beer. The night was winding down and four of us were standing around a table. I headed to the bathroom and on my way I heard them announce last call. Being a courteous drinking buddy, I got four Goose Islands on my way back to the table. Two other guys had heard the same annoucement and without a word had headed to two different bars for a round of Goose Islands. The three of us arrived back at the table at the exact same time that the waitress showed up with the round that the guy left at the table had ordered. So you've got 4 very drunk, very dehydrated, very exhausted guys all hopped up on wormwood vs. 16 beers and the clock. Not a drop was wasted. Details get fuzzy after that but let's just say the next day involved us showing up late, losing every game, and having our best player disappear for an hour to "swim in the lake." Good times.
Yay Bill! I've missed the stories.
DeleteI'm with Claire - glad that on Day 12 we finally get a classic McNary beer story. I swear you have at least one for every beer on the planet. And great story, although I'm not sure that I'm buying that the four of your killed all sixteen beers. At least one of the four of you was dumping half his beers in the potted plant in the corner.
DeleteDarker than I prefer but it is tasty. I'm trying to play catch up so this is my 4th beer of the night (had a few millers in between), hope that doesn't influence my taste buds. I liked the first Goose Island better but this one is decent.
ReplyDeleteWhere are the rest of you alcoholics?
Damn tasty beer. Crisp and refreshing with some serious malt flavor without being overpowering. I would put it in my kegerator and drink the hell out of it on any given month. I like this beer's personality. That being said, I've had this one a few times before and have alwys been a fan.
ReplyDeleteNot a good tasting beer.
ReplyDeleteThen again, I didn't have a tulip pint glass. And sadly I didn't have any camembert cheese with which to pair the beer.
Beer sure has come a long way. It used to be that you pounded beers while playing softball or watching a band. If you didn't drink it straight out of the can or bottle, a funnel with a plastic tube attached to it was the delivery method. If you paired it with food it was buffalo wings or potato chips. Some of these beverages seem like something other than beer to me.
Can I get camembert on my burger?
Deletefunny Brad, I tasted this with a plastic tube b/c I didn't have a tulip pint glass either. But I did have the camembert cheese so that probably made the difference for me
DeleteYears ago, in the start of an occassional July 4 tradition, my friends and I held a blind beer taste test. My favorite and the taste winner: Honker's Ale.
ReplyDeleteIt has been one of my favs ever since and I was excited to see it listed. I am usually not into malts much, but this has enough hops to keep it interesting while still keeping it smooth and crisp. Simply a high quality beer.
Sorry 1 day behind. But wow is this beer a winner!!!! My perfect beer. Its an Ale, not to bitter and no bitter after taste. Love the color and malty flavor. It would be awesome if it could be more creamy but I will take it as is. The funny thing is its kinda light by Ale standards so I could drink more than 2 before getting bloated. By far the best beer in this summer taste test.
ReplyDeleteRating: 8.5
Joe - how come your perfect beer only gets an 8.5 rating?
DeleteBmoore if I gotta explain then you won't understand
DeleteI dunno, I thought this was pretty extra-medium. I give it a C.
ReplyDelete