United Nations of Beer

Goose Island Sofie

by Bret
(Las Vegas, NV)

Sofie (6.5% ABV)
Goose Island, Chicago, IL, USA
Visit the UNOB's Illinois beer guide

I love this brewery and their beers. I have never had a bad beer and would live to visit the pub the next time I make it to Chicago.

Sofie is no exception, this Belgian Ale is great and worth the price tag. The aroma has strong yeast and hop scents with mild fruit overtones. Spicy aroma is apparent as you drink the beer. There is a slight aroma of oak and citrus, as this beer is a combination of 2 Belgian Ales, one of which was wine barrel aged.

The beer's appearance is a cloudy, pale yellow color, like a good barrel or bottle aged Belgian. There is a thick, bubbly, white head which stays and sheets the glass while beer is consumed. Finally, Sofie is extremely carbonated and drinks like a fine glass of champagne.

The flavor is strong with yeast and citrus flavors and slight wine taste. There is a hop aftertaste which leaves a mild flavor in your mouth and lingers for a few seconds. Negligible maltiness which makes this a very smooth beer, and it kind of tastes like a mild champagne.

The mouthfeel shows a moderate body and texture which coat the palate with hops and spice. Sofie is very refreshing and heavily carbonated, however it goes down easy, coats the palate, and tickles the back of the throat like champagne.

Overall, this is a fantastic beer, all the qualities of a Belgian Ale and some wine characteristics. The strong citrus and mild hop flavors are very appealing and refreshing. The body is medium and has a moderate mouthfeel. Partially aged in wine barrels gives it a different quality altogether from a traditional Belgian Ale.