Goose Island Beer Company Juliet
What the brewers say
“Fermented with wild yeasts and aged in wine barrels with blackberries, Juliet is a tart, fruity, complex ale with notes of wood, tannin, dark fruit, and spice.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Delicate berry with hints of light cherry, apricot, and pineapple, plus a low peach note and slight sweetness. Perhaps a slight raspberry note? Mild acidity with a deep and woodsy _Brett _character and some sour lactic notes.”
Flavor: “Sweet apricot, pineapple, and light lemon zest balance the moderate acidity. Berry flavors are well placed with moderate fruit tannins and sweaty Brett funk to keep it interesting. No malt or hops, but some honey-like sweetness really helps balance the acid components. Lots of woody and earthy aftertaste. Moderate carbonation plays off the tart sourness.”
Overall: “This is a delightful fruity beer, with fruit from the berries and fruit from Brett fermentation (stone fruit, cherry, pineapple, apricot), plus a background supporting Brett funk. It’s well-balanced throughout. Definitely sour, but plenty of fruit depth. A sour better for sharing with friends than contemplating deeply in your wood-paneled study.”
