Goose Island Reserve - Part 2, Demolition

Price – 11.99 (4 Pack)

ABV – 8%

Alcohol by Weight – 6.0%

Hop Bitterness (IBU) – 55, Medium

Color (SRM) – 5, Pale Honey

On each Goose Island Reserve label, Brewmaster Greg Hall provides a description of the beer and the story behind it. Each story is unique and shows the special care and attention that each beer in this series receives. I thought that it would be nice and informative to provide the label description for each beer as I review these fine products. Here is Demolition’s label –

“Back in the early 90’s, our landlord went bankrupt and they tore down the mall surrounding the original Goose Island Brewpub. Sure, we were still open, but who would know it with all the demolition going on. We had giant wrecking balls careening around, the walls were shaking, it was tough. We lost a good part of our business for a year, if not for the most loyal of our customers, Goose Island would have closed. To HONOR those BRAVE SOULS, we brewed a strong golden ale called DEMOLITION. It was so good and so popular, we’ve brewed it every year since (I even served it at my wedding!). It’s brewed with SAAZ and STYRIAN GOLDING HOPS for a grassy, citrus aroma and lots of the finest pale malt for a “honey” malt middle and intense flavor. Demolition tastes great on its own or with a plate of fresh oysters.”

~ Greg Hall, Brewmaster

This was the second of the Goose Island Reserve beers I tried. After tasting Matilda, I decided to pick up a couple more Goose Island Reserves from the store with a friend and see if they compared. Demolition destroyed any doubt that Matilda was a one hit wonder. Greg Hall’s description is dead on; plus he knows a whole lot more than me. But, I review beer on this blog, so here’s what I got…

The nose is dominantly malty though some citrus and grassy aromas came through as well. The beer’s color is a cloudy golden orange which provides a noticeable head that dies quickly, leaving no lace. The citrus flavors were again evident in the taste, and the hops were evident, but not overly stressed in the taste. The beer has a slight bitter taste and finishes with alcohol and citrus flavors. The citrus elements of the beer are the peaks of the taste, providing doses of acidity. If anything, the beer would improve from increased bitterness and less emphasis on the citrus flavors. However, this was the goal and, as is, fits nicely into the Reserve collection.

Demolition is one of the middle weights in the Goose Island Reserve series (yes, 8 percent is a middle weight when compared to the others). I really enjoyed the beer, but I think that I would like to have this one on tap at the Clybourn brewpub. The beer’s adaptation from the tap to the bottle seemed too apparent. This was especially notable in the beer’s head. Unfortunately, I don’t think I will get this chance to visit the brewpub as moving can be extremely time-consuming. Nevertheless, the beer is outstanding, and if I had access to it at all times would certainly give it plenty of attention.