check out #7

check out honker's ale from goose island beer company. being an idiot, i thought that this was a new offering when i saw it at the grocery; turns out that honker's ale is the first product that goose island ever offered. shame on me for taking so long to try it. its even an ESB, which is just my style (here i was waiting for schlafly winter ESB to come out in november, and goose island sells their ESB year-round!).
i was well pleased by honkers, its like a british pale ale with a little malt balance and low carbonation. the hops taste is sharp enough that it reminds me a little of sierra nevada pale ale. this pronounced hoppiness makes me want to do a comparison taste-testing, between GI honkers and GI's india pale ale, to get a clearer indication of what the differences are.
i WILL still be waiting for november for the schlafly winter ESB. not that honker's doesn't deliver, its just that schlafly's take on the style is PHENOMENAL. honker's will do a fine job of tiding me over until then, though.
i would definitely reccommend honkers to someone who likes amber-style or british ales, as long as they are ok with a little hops bite. its not overwhelming but its definitely there.
PS-props to goose island for labelling all their beers with a glassware suggestion. that kicks ass.