Goose Island Beer Company- Pepe Nero: Contributing To My Love Of Saisons
Friday, March 4, 2011 at 5:23PM | by Jason 
A few weeks back I was perusing the isles of a local liquor store in Homer Glen hoping that something would jump out at me. My eyes were stopped in their tracks by a black labeled bottle that I had to get a little closer to see where it was from. Upon closer inspection, it was a local brew from Goose Island Beer Company and what really intrigued me was that it was a Saison brewed with peppercorn. I love just about anything with peppercorns and I do mean anything. Goose Island is famously known for their Belgian-Style brews with the Craft Beer crowd and their 312 amongst your macro brew drinkers. This brew however is part of their Vintage series and goes by the name of Pepe Nero, which translated means, “black pepper.” It was some time ago that I wasn’t much of a fan of Saisons but my tastes have changed and I am really looking forward to this brew. Pepe Nero is poured and ready!
Goose Island Beer Company classifies this brew as a Saison and their website describes Pepe Nero as, “With an aroma of roasted chestnuts and a mysteriously dark, mahogany hue, Pepe Nero is a farmhouse ale brewed with black peppercorns. His roasty sweetness melds into a lingering, earthy, black pepper finish that is ideal for pairing with grilled meats and roasted vegetables.” As indicated on the labels, this bottle was bottled on January 7th 2011.
Pepe Nero pours a dark chestnut with a 1 ¼” latte colored head. The aroma is typical of a Saison, Belgian yeast, banana, clove and coriander but there are also hints of sweet roasted malts.
I know two people who will probably fall over dead when they read this but, “I’m loving Saisons.” Pepe Nero is helping contribute to my growing love of the style. It has an unbelievable balance to the flavor where no one characteristic dominates but together creates a singularly spectacular sensory sensation of a Saison. The brilliant dance between your traditional Saison flavor with the hints of roasted malt sweetness combined with the subtle and faint hints of the peppercorns as well as other spicy notes just make Pepe Nero a must try brew. I have tried most of the entire lineup at Goose Island and I have to say by far…Pepe Nero is my favorite.
ABV: 6.0%
Consumed: Dogfish Head Signature Glass
Verdict: Buy A Case
