Goose Island Matilda 6Pk

Goose Island Matilda 6Pk is a Belgian-style pale ale fermented with wild Brettanomyces yeast, bottled at 7.0% ABV in a six-pack of 12 oz bottles. Scoring 90 on BeerAdvocate and 95 on RateBeer, Matilda stands as one of the most critically respected Brett ales produced by an American brewery.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.0%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Belgian-Style Pale Ale  |  Brewery: Goose Island Beer Company

Production & Heritage

Goose Island Beer Company was founded in 1988 in Chicago by John Hall and is now owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev. Matilda begins with a grain bill of 2-Row malt, candy sugar, and caramel malt, hopped with a European-leaning blend of Golding, Celeia, Pilgrim, Saaz, and Styrian varieties. What defines the beer is its complete re-fermentation with Brettanomyces — a wild Belgian yeast strain that introduces earthy, funky complexity well beyond what conventional ale yeast can achieve. The result is a beer openly inspired by the legendary Belgian Trappist ale Orval.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dried stone fruit and clove lead the nose, followed by floral hop character, raw honey, and subtle herbal spice. A gentle bready, biscuity malt sweetness rounds out the bouquet.

Taste: The entry is fruity and slightly tart, with ripe orchard fruit giving way to biscuity malt and baking spice at the mid-palate. The Brettanomyces asserts itself through a distinctive earthy, lightly funky character layered with clove-like spiciness and a touch of honey. Background hop bitterness keeps sweetness in check throughout.

Finish: Notably dry and clean, with lingering spice and a faint fruity tartness. The dryness invites another sip, a hallmark of well-executed Brett fermentation.

How to Drink Matilda

Matilda is best served at cellar temperature — around 50–55°F — in a tulip glass or Belgian goblet that concentrates the complex aromatics. Its dry, spicy profile also makes it a surprisingly versatile ingredient in beer cocktails. A Belgian Shandy with fresh lemon juice and a touch of honey plays off the ale's fruit and spice. A Snakebite variation blending Matilda with dry cider amplifies the tart, farmhouse qualities. A Michelada built on Matilda instead of lager introduces a funky, complex twist to the classic.

Best For

• Introducing a craft beer drinker to the world of Brett-fermented ales
• Pairing with a charcuterie and cheese spread at a dinner gathering
• Gifting to a Belgian beer enthusiast exploring American interpretations
• Cellaring to observe how Brettanomyces character evolves over time

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Matilda taste like? Matilda delivers a fruity, spicy flavor profile driven by dried fruit, clove, biscuity malt, and a distinctive earthy funk from its Brettanomyces fermentation, finishing notably dry and clean.

How does Matilda compare to Orval? Matilda is openly inspired by the Belgian Trappist ale Orval; both are pale ales re-fermented with Brettanomyces, but Matilda tends toward a slightly more approachable malt sweetness and less aggressive hop bitterness than its Belgian counterpart.

Is Matilda good for someone new to Belgian-style ales? Its 7.0% ABV, balanced malt backbone, and restrained (not overwhelming) Brett funk make Matilda an excellent gateway into wild yeast-fermented beers for curious drinkers.

Where is Matilda made? Matilda is brewed by Goose Island Beer Company in Chicago, Illinois, a brewery founded in 1988 and now operated under the Anheuser-Busch InBev umbrella.

What foods pair well with Matilda? Washed-rind cheeses like Taleggio complement the funky Brett character. Roasted chicken with herbs mirrors the ale's spice notes. Mussels in white wine sauce echo its Belgian roots. Pâté or country-style terrine pairs well with the dry, fruity profile. Peppery arugula salads with goat cheese balance the malt sweetness.

What sizes does Matilda come in? Matilda is commonly available in a six-pack of 12 oz bottles, which is the standard retail format for this expression.

Is Matilda worth the price? Matilda positions as a premium craft offering within the Belgian-style pale ale category; its complex Brett fermentation, quality hop and malt bill, and consistently high critical scores represent strong value relative to imported Belgian ales of similar complexity.

Why Matilda?

Full re-fermentation with Brettanomyces is the detail that separates Matilda from the vast majority of American Belgian-style ales, most of which rely solely on conventional Saccharomyces strains. That commitment to wild yeast — combined with a carefully selected European hop blend and restrained malt bill — produces a beer with genuine depth and an earned 90 BeerAdvocate score. For drinkers drawn to earthy complexity, dry finishes, and the farmhouse tradition, Matilda delivers an American interpretation that stands confidently alongside its Trappist inspiration.