Goose Island Sofie Belgian Style Farmhouse Ale

Belgian style beers are widely popular with concerning beer lovers/drinkers. They are some of the best beers in the world. I am a huge Belgian beer fan. One thing about Belgian beer is that is not just only one style, Belgium has many beer styles, such as Abby, triple, wits, browns, sours (both dark and light), Lambic, IPA, pale ale, lagers, quadruples, saisons stouts, blondes. But this beer isn’t all the way from Belgium; no it’s from Chicago Illinois from Goose Island. This is Goose Island Sofia Belgian Style Farmhouse Ale, 6.5% ABV. This Farmhouse ale is 80% Belgian style ale blended with 20% Belgian style ale aged in wine barrels with orange peel. Aging beer in barrels isn’t anything new; brewers have been doing this for a very long time. Some use bourbon barrels, some use rum barrels, and some use barrels made of different types of wood, like oak, or cedar wood. Sofie is sold in twelve ounces four packs or 750ml bottles. Sofie pours a yellow light straw gold color with a two finger bright white bubbly head. I found tons of light streaming through the glass among the many carbonation bubbles. The aroma on Sofie is a bit like old green grapes, you know when they are bit older and taste a bit tart. There isn’t much of the orange peel there but there is a bit of a faint citrus aroma though. The taste on Sofie is a little similar to the aroma with a tart green grape leaning toward a faint sour flavor, and you do get the orange peel but I didn’t find a spicy white pepper that is advertised on the label. This beer is mostly tart. The mouthfeel is light to somewhat medium and has a nice tart refreshing finish, with a nice softer aftertaste of very faint vanilla that comes from the wine barrels. Sofie is on great beer so I am giving this an A-. I found this beer complex but in a good way. Bells Oarsman is similar in taste (Oarsmen is a Berliner Weissbier) to this but not as complex and easy drinking. Sofie is still an easy drinker just not as easy. I found it refreshing as well and good to have with nice creamy cheese and meats. I highly recommend trying Goose Island Sofie! It’s a good one from a great brewery. Cheers! Please enjoy responsibly!