Goose Island Pepe Nero

My salesmen teased me nearly a year go with this little carrot...Goose Island was coming to Connecticut. Original e.t.a. was just before the holidays this past fall.  However, as many of you already know, they are still not here. But last week, unexpectedly, one of my salesmen dropped off a sample bottle of this Goose Island Pepe Nero. The new 'word on the street' is that some of the brews should be available by spring.

The Goose Island Pepe Nero is described as a Saison/Farmhouse Ale, and should weigh in at about 6% abv. It's pretty obviously not the Saison I'm used to, and I'm anxious to get the top off this brew. The Pepe Nero pours out an exceptionally dark shade of brownish-red. At first I thought it was black until I tried snapping a couple pictures. The foam was very subtle at first but then came to life and nearly over-flowed my DFH snifter. The foam is full of large bubbles forming a rocky surface with just a slight tint slight red/rusty color.

As the foam dissipates very little lacing is left behind a soft stream of bubbles throughout the duration of my sample bottle.  The nose on the Pepe Nero is very, very subtle. I give it a few really good swirls and get my nose as far into the glass as possible. I'm only getting very slight hints of chocolate, cola, and a little roasted malts. The closest thing I can compare this to is sort of like an earthy, rustic version of a Quadrupel.

On the palate, the Pepe Nero is just as complex and equally as subtle.  Very soft hints of malty sweets, a little bit of coffee and chocolate here and there, and just a touch of dry bitterness on the finish. I let the Pepe warm completely to room temperature before finishing and the Pepe only gets better! Somewhere between a big belgian quad and a softer style stout, the Pepe Nero is in a class all it's own.  I can hardly wait till the Goose Island beers are available regularly here in CT.

Goose Island Brewing
Pepe Nero
TCSH - 9.5/10
Aka - Super complex, interesting, and I'd like another!

Eli
Bibo Ergo Sum