Risking life & limb for Roggenbier - that's the Chicago Way: Winter Beer by Goldfinger Brewing

On my annual autumnal trek last year to lovely Lombard, Illinois for Chicago TARDIS, I had it in mind to seek out some Winter Beer by Goldfinger Brewing. I'd heard tell of it a week or so before and I was intrigued. Besides the immanence of winter and the necessity of winter seasonal beers for survival, it was a rye lager and rye is my grain of choice. To top things off, Goldfinger went against the grain, so to speak, and made a winter beer that wasn't extra potent and instead relied on a hearty maltiness to hold back the nipping of Jack Frost.

Winter was to set in early with a major blizzard forecasted the next day so I set out to get my beer shopping done early so I could settle into the hotel with Christopher Eccleston and Jo Martin until the storm had abated.

With the threat of several inches of snow looming, I hastily made a trek to Binny's. There I found some interesting brews, to be sure, but no Goldfinger Winter Beer. Well, crap. After lunch I attended another panel discussion or two before making the drive to Goldfinger HQ. Walking in I found that place to be hoppin'. I also found no Winter Beer. However, I did find some of their Baltic porter. More on that later.

Discouraged, I went back to the hotel with my tail between my legs and enjoyed myself at the con. But I would not be defeated!

The next day the storm began with snow coming down at quite a clip. Once fully caffeinated, it occurred to me that there are liquor stores that are not Binny's and so consulted the Google oracle. Sal's Beverage World sounded like they'd have a good selection. I mean, it's a whole world of beverages! It was also helpfully located near a peri peri chicken joint which sealed the deal. I could get beer, a family pack of peri peri chicken, and then ride the storm out at the hotel with a bunch of fans dressed up as Cybermen meaning we could recreate The Tenth Planet.

It seems a large percentage of the western burbs had a similar plan because Roosevelt Road was packed and treacherous. Jagoffs in SUVs and Subarus ignored conditions and barreled down the road at normal speed, i.e. - 10MPH over the limit. I kept things steady as cars fishtailed all around me and the street threatened to turn into a demolition derby. And I made it.

My luck was in as Sal's had the precious Winter Lager - and more besides. I stowed my beer securely in the back seat and then made my way to the peri peri joint where I bought a family pack so I wouldn't be forced to eat any of my fellow con goers to survive, er, I mean go to the hotel restaurant. The drive back was frought with peril but I made it back to the safety of the hotel unscathed.

Having risked life and limb, I hoped that the beer was worth it. A Goldfinger lager? Of course it'll be tasty.

 

The beer was a gorgeous copper hue and clear as day. Sitting atop the sea of rye elixir was a big head of loose, off-white foam made of large bubbles. It lasted an average amount of time, I'd say. Inside the glass were oodles of bubbles. The aroma featured biscuit with a slight caramel accent. Hops were grassy.

 

My initial sip confirmed what my eyes had told me: this stuff was good'n'fizzy. At first it seemed odd to be drinking a winter beer that had but a medium-light body to it but the ad copy was right - the brew may have a low A.B.V. of 4.2% but it is rich in malty goodness. The rye provided an earthy bready flavor which was complemented by a touch of doughy sweetness. A nice balance was struck by hops that were a bit on the herbal side but also hay-like. Overall the brew was malt heavy and clean with a touch of astringency.

 

The finish was perfect as the lingering breadiness slowly gave way to the hops which took on a slightly floral taste. They provided just enough bitterness to balance the malt and add a touch of dryness.

 

Unsurprisingly I found this Winter Beer to be great. It was richly malted (including tasty rye!) but not heavy; the hops were tasty and added just the right amount of bitterness. Plus I loved the floral taste they took on during the finish. A most pleasing alternative to the usual winter brews.

 

Junk food pairing: Grab a bag of peri peri flavored potato chips to go with Goldfinger's delicious rye brew. The spicy heat will warm your innards as the earthy spud taste joins the rye for an earthy overload.