Goose Island beer

Well now I wanna try it.

Jealous! I love that pub. The one time I was in there was just packed, as it was after a Cubs game. But I found one spot at the bar, which was cool. Only stayed for one beer since I didn’t have much time.  Would love to throw down a few there sometime.

They used to have the Real Ale Festival there back in the day, which was a great reason to visit Chicago for a weekend.

This is a little off-topic, but a couple of former brewers for Goose Island are starting their own 40-bbl brewery in Geneva, IL, shortly.  http://www.penrosebrewing.com/

I’ve heard that they are bringing a few other Goose Island employees with them.

I think there’s been a bit of a diaspora since the ownership change, though I think to some degree there were always people leaking out to other local breweries.  This is good for the local craft beer scene. I’m not sure if the rate has increased, but I bet it has.

Diaspora…good word! Hope Penrose’s beer comes to Iowa.

There’s a bunch of former GI brewers in this video celebrating 25 years (It’s  too long and doesn’t mention InBev, but oh well.)

The brewpub still does some great stuff. And I too wish they’d bring back the oatmeal stout.

I think you’re right about GI employees fanning out to other breweries.  Besides Tom and Eric who are starting Penrose, I met a former GI sales rep who now works for Summit last month who said that GI lost approximately 40% of its workforce (voluntarily migration) after AB In-Bev took over.

I have no opinion on GI beer since the AB In-Bev purchase because I really haven’t had too much GI beer, even before the buyout.  But I can tell you that when I met Tom and Eric at this year’s Craft Brewer’s Conference, they were super cool guys and I am genuinely excited about their brewery.  I have relatives in Geneva and I’ll be making a trip there once Penrose opens its doors.