Goose Island Gillian 765ML

Goose Island Gillian 765ML is a Belgian-style farmhouse ale brewed with strawberry, honey, and white pepper, bottled at 9.5% ABV in a 765ml format. Partially aged in wine barrels and fermented with brettanomyces alongside Belgian and Champagne yeasts, Gillian stands as one of the most complex and distinctive entries in Goose Island's acclaimed barrel-aged portfolio.

Quick Facts: ABV: 9.5%  |  Origin: Illinois, United States  |  Style: Belgian Farmhouse Ale  |  Brewery: Goose Island Beer Co.

Production & Heritage

Goose Island Beer Co., founded in 1988 in Chicago, Illinois, has long been recognized as a pioneer in American craft brewing, particularly for its barrel-aging program. Gillian is brewed with mashed fresh Michigan strawberries, local farmer's market honey, and crushed white pepper, then partially aged in wine barrels. The addition of brettanomyces yeast contributes a tangy farmhouse funk that layers beneath the fruit and spice, while Champagne yeast drives a crisp effervescence. The beer is named in honor of actress Gillian Anderson, who worked at the Goose Island Brewpub during her time as a student at DePaul University in Chicago.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh strawberry emerges first, followed by floral honey sweetness and a subtle crack of white pepper. Underneath, gentle brett-driven funk and faint vinous oak notes add depth.

Taste: The entry is bright and lively with ripe strawberry and a light sugar sweetness that quickly gives way to tart, funky farmhouse character at the mid-palate. The honey rounds out the mouthfeel while the white pepper delivers a gentle spice that builds without overpowering. A pleasant sourness reminiscent of white wine threads through the entire profile.

Finish: Crisp and dry, with wood-aged complexity and lingering pepper asserting themselves as the fruit fades. The carbonation keeps the finish clean, leaving a refreshing effervescence that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Gillian

Gillian is best served chilled in a tulip glass or wine goblet to concentrate its complex aromatics and showcase the carbonation. Its wine-like character makes it an excellent candidate for cellaring, as the brett and barrel influence can develop further over time. For a cocktail-adjacent approach, Gillian pairs beautifully in a beer-based Kir, replacing white wine with this farmhouse ale and adding a touch of crème de cassis. It also works as a base in a Belgian Shandy, mixed with fresh lemonade and a sprig of mint, or served in a Berliner-style preparation with a dash of woodruff syrup to complement the existing strawberry notes.

Best For

• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates barrel-aged or farmhouse-style ales
• Pairing with a multi-course dinner as a wine-alternative alongside lighter courses
• Cellaring for special occasions to explore how the brett character develops over time
• Sharing among friends during a curated tasting flight of Goose Island's barrel-aged lineup

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Gillian taste like? Gillian delivers bright strawberry sweetness balanced by tart farmhouse funk, floral honey, and a spicy white pepper finish, all carried by a lively, effervescent body. The overall impression is closer to a sparkling wine than a traditional ale, with a crisp, dry conclusion.

How does Gillian compare to Goose Island Sofie? Both are Belgian-style farmhouse ales from Goose Island's barrel-aged program, but Sofie leans toward citrus and spice with a more straightforward effervescence, while Gillian layers in strawberry, honey, and white pepper for a richer, more complex fruit-forward profile. Gillian's use of multiple yeast strains, including brettanomyces and Champagne yeast, also gives it a more pronounced funky and vinous character than Sofie.

Is Gillian good for sipping neat? Absolutely — Gillian's wine-like complexity, balanced sweetness, and dry finish make it ideal for slow, contemplative sipping from a tulip glass. Its 9.5% ABV and layered flavor profile reward the same attention typically given to a fine wine or barrel-aged spirit.

Where is Gillian made? Gillian is brewed by Goose Island Beer Co. in Chicago, Illinois, United States. The strawberries used in the recipe are sourced from Michigan, and the honey comes from local farmer's markets.

What foods pair well with Gillian? Soft-ripened cheeses like Brie or Camembert complement the farmhouse funk and strawberry notes. Grilled shrimp or lobster works well with the effervescence and pepper spice. A fresh arugula salad with goat cheese and honey vinaigrette mirrors the beer's sweetness and tartness. Strawberry shortcake or a honey panna cotta echo the core ingredients and make a natural dessert pairing.

What sizes does Gillian come in? Gillian is available in a 765ml bottle, which is the standard large-format size for Goose Island's barrel-aged and specialty releases.

Is Gillian worth the price? Gillian positions as a premium specialty release within Goose Island's barrel-aged lineup, and its multi-yeast fermentation, wine barrel aging, and use of fresh Michigan strawberries and farmer's market honey justify its place in that tier. For fans of Belgian farmhouse ales or those who enjoy beer with wine-like complexity, it represents strong value relative to other limited barrel-aged offerings.

Why Gillian?

What separates Gillian from the crowded field of farmhouse ales is the deliberate layering of three fermentation cultures — Belgian ale yeast, Champagne yeast, and brettanomyces — each contributing a distinct textural and flavor dimension that few competitors attempt in a single beer. The combination of wine barrel aging with real Michigan strawberries, local honey, and whole white pepper creates a product that genuinely bridges the gap between beer and sparkling wine. With a 4.0 rating across more than 20,000 reviews on Untappd, Gillian has earned a loyal following among craft beer drinkers who seek out complexity and drinkability in equal measure. It remains one of the most distinctive and rewarding offerings in Goose Island's celebrated specialty portfolio.