Goose Island Sofie
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Tasting Notes
Sofie pours with a hazy straw color and opens with aromas of orange peel, white pepper, and a light funk from the wild yeast character. On the palate it's dry and moderately tart, with citrus zest and a subtle spice layered over a wheaty, slightly effervescent base. The body is lean and the carbonation is lively without being aggressive. The finish is clean and dry, with a faint tartness that lingers without puckering.
About the Brewery
Goose Island is a Chicago brewery founded in 1988 by John Hall, one of the early pioneers of craft beer in the Midwest. It was acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev in 2011, a sale that sparked debate in the craft community but allowed significant investment in barrel-aging infrastructure. The brewery is best known for its Bourbon County Brand Stout series and its Belgian-influenced lineup, of which Sofie is a flagship. Their barrel program remains genuinely respected among enthusiasts.
Food Pairings
Sofie works well with mussels steamed in white wine because the citrus and pepper notes mirror the briny, herbaceous broth. A simple roast chicken benefits from the beer's dryness cutting through the fat without competing with the meat's flavor. Creamy soft cheeses like brie or camembert find a good counterpoint in the tartness and spice. The beer also holds its own alongside a lemon-dressed arugula salad, where its acidity ties the whole plate together rather than clashing with the vinaigrette.
Style Guide
Saisons originated in the farmhouses of French-speaking Belgium and northern France, historically brewed in winter for consumption by seasonal farmworkers during summer. They're defined by a dry, highly attenuated body, fruity and spicy yeast esters — particularly pepper and citrus — and a noticeable but not harsh bitterness. ABVs typically range from about 5% to 8%, and the style sits apart from witbiers by being less wheat-forward and more yeast-driven in its spice character. Modern American interpretations often push the tartness further than traditional Belgian examples.