Goose Island Beer Co.'s IPA
The Brewski Report Reviews Goose Island’s IPA
File Date: 4.13.11
File Name: Industrial Brewer Pegged to Purchase Goose Island?
The Beer: Goose Island IPA
Type: English India Pale Ale
Serving: Bottle
Stats: 5.9% ABV
Brewer: Goose Island Beer Company
Web Site: www.gooseisland.com
State/Country of Origin: IL, USA
Brewer Info: In his travels across Europe, beer-lover John Hall had enjoyed a distinctive local brew in each region he visited. Hall was convinced that Midwesterners could produce beers as good or better than those he’d tasted in his travels. Living on the shore of the largest system of fresh water on the planet Earth, in a city with rapidly evolving tastes – John decided that his hometown, Chicago, would be the ideal place to do just that. The key to building interest in craft beer, Hall decided, was to allow consumers to watch the brewing process – while providing them with the then-novel experience of enjoying a wide variety of distinctive beers that had been produced on-site. Hall wanted to not only cater to his customers’ tastes, but to challenge them as well. Goose Island’s brewers set to work crafting a diverse selection of unique beers – and on Friday, May 13, 1988 the Goose Island Brewpub was born. It turned out that John was right; Chicagoans palates evolved rapidly once Goose Island’s Brewpub opened its doors and introduced the city to distinctive craft beer. By 1995, the brewpub had become so popular that John Hall and his son Greg, who had by then become Goose Island’s brewmaster, decided to open a larger brewery and bottling plant to keep up with demand. Finding still more room for growth, in 1999 the father-son team opened a second Goose Island Brewpub just a stone’s throw away from historic Wrigley Field.
Brewer Brand Hype: Our India Pale Ale recalls a time when ales shipped from England to India were highly hopped to preserve their distinct taste during the long journey. The result is a hop lover’s dream with a fruity aroma, set off by a dry malt middle, and long hop finish.
Label: Recognized as among the world’s finest, Goose Island’s India Pale Ale has a spicy hop aromoa and an inviting fruity flavor. This exceptional beer is one you will not soon forget. Serve India Pale Ale in a tulip glass.
The Brewski Review: Spoiler Alert! I just read someplace where Bud/InBev is going to purchase Goose Island for somthing north of $35M. If you were looking for a brewery to purchase your a day late and probably a dollar or two short. The purchaser classifies Goose Island as a boutique brewery. I’ve never had any of their more exotic brews but I look forward to trying them out - as long as they don’t change with the purchase by a large industrial brewer. The IPA was good. It was hoppy and bitter. Nothing deviating too far from the standard IPA classic taste. The fruity flavor didn’t jump out at me but there was some mild sweetness to it. Again, a good beer. Give one a try if your into hops.
Drinkability: Sure.
Appearance: Dark golden color.
The Buds: Hoppy and bitter.
TBR Cap Rating: 3.75 out of 5.
This is pretty cool. If I could purchase a set of tiles I'd install this in my future kitchen makeover. My wife might not like it but I think my kids would.
Brewer Brand Hype: Toffee brown, medium-bodied, with a creamy head and an aroma of raisins and freshly baked dark bread. Mild Winter’s rich caramel malt and spicy rye flavors are sure to take the bite out of whatever Old Man Winter brews up for you this year.
Brewer Brand Hype: The color of sunshine, with a light fruity aroma and a hint of fruity acidity, Goose Island Summertime is the perfect summer session ale. A Kölsch beer brewed in the traditional German fashion, you’ll find yourself enjoying and savoring each sip of summertime as much as you do those hot summer days and cool summer nights.