Goose Island The Muddy
The Muddy is the third release in Goose Island’s Imperial Series, serving as an homage to Chicago’s early blues scene and musicians. According to the bottle label, this imperial stout weighs in at 9% ABV and 32 IBU — though the press sheet that accompanied the samples read 10.1% ABV and 40 IBU. It’s made with brewer’s licorice and Belgian dark candi sugar.
The result is a beer that isn’t nearly as sweet as the label purports, yet is still quite bold and flavorful. The Muddy may not compare to the company’s Bourbon County series or their distinctly hoppy Night Stalker, but it shows that the company is more than capable of crafting a damn fine stout, period.
Appearance
The brew pours opaque black in color with a dark mocha cap of dense foam.
Aroma
The nose is filled with coffee, a light char, smooth licorice, cocoa and a soft alcohol tease. I don’t get too much of a sweet character here as the brew comes across clean and fairly straightforward for the style.
Taste
The Muddy it not only aptly named for the time in which it honors, but also in terms of it’s mouthfeel — it’s thick and heavy on the palate. Cocoa, coffee, licorice, touch of oats and a moderate sweetness flow smoothly over the tongue heading towards a dry and warming finish. I wouldn’t say the brew has “amplified sweetness,” but it’s a bit more than your average imperial stout. I want to say there’s a touch of lactose in the mix as well, but my tastebuds could have been acting up.
Overall
This is a big, flavorful stout. It’s not as dynamic as some of Goose Island’s other dark concoctions, but it does present itself well. It’s not overly sweet and the licorice helps accentuate the beer, not demand your full attention. This is the kind of beer that I really go far, especially now that the days are growing shorter and colder.
Rating: 4/5
This is a review of a promotional sample.
