Goose Island is a great Chicago/Midwest
success story. In the late 80s, as craft brews were gaining popularity in the
USA, Goose Island opened its doors (and brewing process) to Chicagoans. Success
was almost overnight. Now Goose Island brews over 50 craft beers and is enjoyed
by beer lovers in all 50 states and Europe, including Manchester! It’s a small
world after all.
The Clybourn location, in our opinion, is
superior. The bar is magnificent, over 20 beers on tap, large windows in the
dining area give way to great views of the fermentation tanks and they have
some incredible eats. Goose Island is everywhere in Chicago so we have a bit
more to say about their beers. We’ll give you a quick rundown of our favorites:
·
312 (Pronounced “Three One Two”)
o
American Style Wheat Ale,
4.2%
o
A Chicago classic!
·
Honker’s Ale
o
English Bitter, 4.3%
o
This
Amber ale has hop aromas, malt taste and a soft body. A simple flavor that makes
this a very quaffable Bitter.
·
Green Line
o
American Style Pale Ale,
5%
o
This beer is not all that
fantastic, especially in comparison to the rest of what Goose Island offers,
but the concept is great. It is only distributed in Illinois and uses all local
ingredients, hence “Green” in the title. It’s a very easy drink.
·
Pepe Nero
o
Dark Belgian Farmhouse
Ale, 6%
o
So RICH, dark and
delicious. I love all that is farmhouse and Pepe Nero will give your mouth the
complex earthy treat it is craving.
·
Sofie
o
Oak Aged Belgian Style
Farmhouse Ale aged with orange peel, 6.5%
o
I love Sofie’s light, citrus, bubbly
and tart effect. This is the beer I recommend to my “I only drink white wine and
champagne” girlfriends.
·
Matilda
o
Belgian Style Pale Ale, 7%
o
So good! Matilda has a great aroma
that stays with you. It’s a golden beer with a dryer taste and possibly my
all-time favorite Goose Island brew.
·
Pere Jacques
o
Belgian Style Abbey Ale, 8.7%
o
So much malty goodness, but then the
fruity flavors punch through too. It’s great. I once had this beer with dark
chocolate and that was a good choice. Just saying.
Craig loved Goose Island so much he is now
sporting one of their t-shirts all around England! I hope you all can find your
way there soon.
Cheers,
Goose Island rules! +1 for the honkers ale.
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