Goose Island Sofie

Sofie is a 6.5% ABV Belgian-style farmhouse ale from Goose Island Beer Company of Chicago, Illinois (now owned by AB-InBev). This is the 2013 vintage, bottled on November 4, 2013. It is 80% Belgian-style ale blended with 20% Belgian-style ale that was aged in wine barrels with orange peel.

The beer pours yellow and golden with a touch of haze. There is about an inch of fizzing, foamy white head. The aroma is tart, bright, citrusy, funky, a touch of tropical fruit, hints of white wine and wood. The taste follows the aromas, hitting all the same notes in a wonderful, balanced, medley and cacophony of flavors, tart, funky, citric, tropical, round, vinous, brassy, floral, yeast, woody. It has a tingling fine carbonation, but also a round softness to its mouthfeel. The ending is mild, with soft aftertastes of the original flavors. This ranks up there with the masterpieces of fine beer making.