Grade: B+

Some seasonal beers rise far above the competition.

Harvest Ale is worthy of Chicago’s own Goose Island Beer Co.’s name. Harvest Ale is a medium-bodied ale that a wide audience can enjoy.

When I poured Harvest Ale into a glass, I was a little concerned that I might be getting into an extremely thick and malty ale due to the color ranging between dark amber and light copper. However, the beer was actually somewhat bitter – in a good way.

According to Goose Island, Harvest Ale has a 5.7 percent alcohol content. The medium body and moderately bitter taste masked the alcohol content entirely.

Harvest Ale has an excellent, smooth aftertaste. However, it is a beer intended to be savored. When I polished off the last of a bottle, the beer tasted overly sour.

When poured into a glass, Harvest Ale does not produce a consistent foam. The little foam produced has a medium thickness and often creates a few large bubbles. This is one beer you won’t miss out on if you drink it out of the glass.

Additionally, the bottled version of Harvest Ale loses very little quality in comparison to the draft version.

I would recommend Harvest Ale to anyone who enjoys beer, but don’t start here if you’re just breaking into the world of beer.

I would place Harvest Ale in the same league as Sam Adams Oktoberfest. I give my highest recommendations for this beer to anyone who enjoys Sam Adams’ seasonal brews.

Goose Island has a great reputation for quality beers and beverages and Harvest Ale is a great reminder of why.

The good news: Harvest Ale is available for a reasonable price. The bad news: Harvest Ale is only available August through October.