Tasting Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat

Now that AB/InBev/Evil Empire has gobbled up Goose Island I figured I'd better start sampling from my reserves before the craft beer Mod Squad (just dated myself) tells me I'm breaking some independent brewery loyalty law. Ahhhhh, let them try to get my Bourbon County Stout. They'll have to pry it from my cold dead hands. As long as Goose Island continues to produce a quality product I see no reason not to enjoy it. I'm always for the little guy and I've read and seen enough on AB/Inbev to understand why the distaste exists, though I have a hard time grasping some of the extreme hatred. However the powers that be at GI made a business decision they believe is beneficial to the company. Remember, it wasn't some kind of hostile takeover. We can only hope that AB doesn't infect the Goose with too much negative macro influence, ultimately screwing up a good thing. I'm more curious to see what all the beer heads will say if AB/InBev actually makes improvements, i.e., a boost to the standard product lineup, expanded distribution, more experimental beers or lower prices. Will those who have already sworn off Goose Island have a sudden change of heart? I'm sure many will still have a difficult time seeing anything good about a company that has been touched by the so called Evil Empire of brewing.

AB/InBev's purchasing power allowed them to get Goose Island for approximately $38.8 million. My purchasing power brought home a sixer of Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat from Whole Foods in NYC. With spring here and summer not far off it's time to roll out the wheat beers. 312, without trying to sound overly cliché, is spring/summer in a bottle. The pour is a slightly hazy yellow with a white, fluffy 2 finger head. The visual is a perfect lead in for the taste; mild, mild, mild. The hops are toned down and there's no big flavor rush. The crisp clean wheat, biscuit, lemon and grassy flavors never go beyond mellow. It's nothing fancy and may even swing macro drinkers over to the craft beer side. This 4.2% abv session beer will preform best on a summer day once the thermometer reaches 90 and a serious refresher is desired.

Founders Night @ Craft Ale House

"She Was Lost But Now We Founder".  That clever phrase/title/little diddy came from the whimsically creative Mr. Dan Bengel announcing this event weeks ago over here.  I love the word play, which Dan is always good for, and really appreciate his knowledge on the liquid action at Craft Ale House. 

That action ramps up this Wednesday night (3/30) when Founders Brewing takes over the taps.  The lineup is going to make for one serious midweek gathering. Bernie from Stockertown Beverage will be on hand to spread even more evening cheer. To paraphrase Mr. Bengel, "Prepare for much evilness".

Start time: 6pm, PAYG

We will be tapping:

Centennial Ipa

Double Trouble

Devil Dancer Triple Ipa

Harvest Ale

Red’s Rye

Nemesis ‘10

Dirty Bastard

Backwoods Bastard

Imperial Stout

Breakfast Stout ‘09

Kentucky Breakfast Stout ‘10

Wheat Wine ‘09

Maybe more!!!

AB/InBev Aquires Goose Island

Yesterday the mysterious Kelleigh returned from NYC with Goose Island Matilda, 312 and IPA.  This morning I read from Jack and Lew that the Goose has been gobbled up.  The masters of macro muck have wrapped their hands around Goose Island Brewing and added it to their portfolio.  I'm sure that many craft beer fans will have a problem with this.  I can already hear the mass chant of,  "No more Goose Island, no more Goose Island".  For me the Matilda goes on a shelf in the cellar and the IPA and 312 are already cooling in the beer fridge. When the time comes I doubt I'll have a problem enjoying them.

Below are several links for more information on the subject and a letter from Goose Island Founder John Hall posted on the GI website.

Chicago Tribune

HuffPost Chicago

Chicago Breaking Business

Time Out Chicago

March 28, 2011


Dear Friends,

When I first started Goose Island Clybourn in 1988, drinkers were just beginning to explore new beer styles and "craft beer" was a term that no one had even thought of. I couldn't imagine the explosive growth that craft beer has had in the last few years, or the amazing creativity of so many new brewers, and the discovery of the amazing possibilities of beer by a whole generation of drinkers.

I am very proud of Goose Island's contribution to this craft beer movement, of the many awards won by our brewers, our growing number of employees, our support of the communities and life of Chicago, and the friendship of so many beer lovers in Chicago and elsewhere.

Over the past five years our partnerships with Craft Brewers Alliance and Anheuser-Busch have enabled Goose Island to reach a growing number of beer drinkers. This has fueled our growth to the point that demand for our beers has outgrown the capacity of our brewery. Recently, we’ve even had to limit production of some classic and medal-winning styles. To keep up with growing demand from drinkers we’ve explored a variety of paths to secure new capital to support our growth.

Today’s agreement to consolidate ownership of Goose Island under Anheuser-Busch will provide us with the best resources available to continue along our path of growth and innovation.

I am more excited than ever about Goose Island’s future. With the support and financial backing of our new partner, we will continue to brew our authentic classic styles, develop new amazing beers, and serve our drinkers.

Cheers!

John Hall

     

Beer Groupon is On!

Recently I took my first dip in the giant sea that is Groupon. The additively popular online savings site is making spending a whole lot more fun by typically giving customers a savings of 50% or more on a variety of products and services.  My first purchase was a couple weeks ago for food and drink at Sly Fox in Phoenixville.  I haven't used it yet but will have no problem making the most of it.  My second purchase, done just today, is for Rust Belt Brewing Company in Youngstown Ohio.  Another no brainer considering my frequent trips to Pittsburgh.  Now I have the perfect excuse to check out a brewery I've never been to, sample several beers and take home some cool beer swag. Not a bad deal for $9.00.

I hope more of the local better beer establishments follow in the footsteps of Rust Belt and Sly Fox and run with some creative offers.  It's great advertising, creates a stir and gets new people in the door.  All things any restaurant/brew pub/brewery would love to have.

Wedding Beer

No one is stopping here for the latest on the royal wedding.  However, since this is beer related I figured I'd run with it.  Does this give me paparazzi status? 

Kiss Me Kate for Royal wedding


Castle Rock brewery has announced plans to celebrate the marriage of HRH Prince William to Kate Middleton in the best way it knows how – by brewing a special real ale.

Called Kiss Me Kate, it will be available on draught at Castle Rock and many other local pubs for the full month in the run up to the wedding on Friday 29 April. A limited amount available in bottles for memento collectors and for laying aside to toast future royal events.

Castle Rock’s head brewer, Adrian Redgrove, says it will be a great British beer full of British hops and barley. “Kiss Me Kate will be elegant, tasteful and British to the core. It’ll be brewed to 5%, pale in colour and, we’re sure it’ll be the ideal way to toast the couple’s future happiness. We’ll certainly be enjoying it in our celebrations here at the brewery.”

Please send any enquires regarding Kiss Me Kate to:

kissmekate@castlerockbrewery.co.uk

Do You Believe in Black Magick

Black Magick has made it's way into the Philly market and like so many high octane Bourbon Aged beers brings with it ultra hype. The Imperial Stout (Big Black Voodoo Daddy) is aged for a year in 13 1/2 year old Elaigh Craig bourbon barrels.  The bottle conditioned ale is suitable for cellaring up to 5 years.  Since it's only released every two years and highly sought-after buy it when you see it. It's not staying around for long.

Thanks to Brian at Craft Ale House I had a chance to sample some of the Magick.  Even with a small pour the immediate aroma is full of bourbon and chocolate. Smelling it longer, coffee, vanilla and hints of tobacco are detectable. The taste is hype worthy.  The roastiness and chocolate come out first, quickly followed by warm bourbon, vanilla and oak. It's all very sweet and syrupy but not cloying.  I'm sure as the beer warms even more complex flavors appear. The surprise is the smoothness factor.  At 15.5% you might expect an overly hot alcohol bomb.  Not so. The alcohol is comfortably hidden. Still, it's a sipper and even though it's only a 12oz bottle Black Magick is built for sharing.

As far as uber hyped Bourbon Aged Stouts go this one falls slightly short of KBS, The Abyss and Bourbon County Stout.  It will be interesting to see what aging does for the flavor. If budget allows buy one for the cellar and another to enjoy now.

Chadwick's in Audubon for Beer?

A couple nights ago the mysterious Kelleigh and I did the unusual for a week night and snuck out after 7:30 to grab a bite. We ventured a short distance to Chadwick's in Audubon. The close proximity to home was the main contributing factor in breaking the vice like hold of our couch and TV.

Chadwick's is part of The Club at Shannondell and sits adjacent to the golf course along Egypt Road. Not the first place most would think of for craft beer. I always figured it pulled in golf types searching out mixed drinks, Corona, Heineken and Stella after knocking around on the links. Or it served as a watering hole for corporate types flowing in from nearby office parks. On a previous stop nearly a year ago I remember the draft list being far from impressive. Oh how times have changed. Like many places in the area the owners must of realized patrons want more than bland, fizzy, yellow, macro muck. A few months ago a roadside banner promoted a weekly Victory special and now Thursdays are craft night. Four sample pours for $4.00 ($1.00 off the regular price). Alongside the macros and imports were tap handles for Brooklyn, Dogfish Head, Harpoon, Victory, Stone and Flying Fish. That night to accompany my Chadwick's Chophouse Salad I had a sampler consisting of Brooklyn Pennant Pale Ale, Fly Fish Hop Fish, Dogfish 90 Minute and wait for it...........Stone Ruination IPA. Not a bad IPA line up and the big bitter punch of Ruination was a pleasant shocker.

Chadwick's won't get listed with Capone's, TJ's or Craft Ale House anytime soon as a great beer destination but its good to see another traditional BudMillerCoors/import place getting more adventurous with what they serve. If they plan on keeping up with the craft selection I'd suggest the website promote it. I'm sure there are many who are still unaware of the change. People in the Philly area know their beer. Bars that want to keep up with the competition have to keep the taps interesting. It's great to see Chadwick's is moving in the right direction.

Happy St Patrick's Day

Friends don't let friends drink green macro. 

Stoned not Stabbed @ Local 44 on the Ides of March

In 44 B.C. Julius Caesar was stabbed to death on the Ides of March. At Local 44  everyone gets Stoned.  An impressive list of Stone drafts are set to pour.
3/15, 6pm, PAYG.

Levitation

Stone IPA

Ruination

Sublimely Self Righteous
Stone Pale Ale
Smoked Porter

Vertical Epic 09.09.09

13th Anniversary

Double Bastard
Belgo Barleywine
Saison Du Buff 

Highway 78 (a super rare collaboration between Stone, Pizza Port and Green Flash Brewing)

44 B.C. and Local 44, coincidence? Hmmmmm, just make sure to come out of the evening better than Caesar did.

Another Big Beer Saturday in Philly

Stating that it's a big beer weekend in Philly is akin to reporting that the Schuylkill River is wet and flowing.  It's a given.  Just how big a beer weekend is the better question.  Today is full of enough choices to have any beer centric individual frothing at the mouth.

Hopheads among us rejoice with Hopfest @ The Drafting Room noon tap time and Bitter Rivalry @ Iron Hill North Wales,1-5pm.  Looking for variety get on the bus for Craft Beer Express 11-9pm or trek to Phoenixville for some strolling and sipping at the Phoenixville Pub Crawl 12-6pm. Want beer with your breakfast go here, Teresa's Next Door 4th Annual Stone Brunch or Johnny Brenda's Third Annual Stout Brunch. Now the choice is yours. Cheers!