April 9, 2007

Shaws Smelt Fest 04/14/07

Join Goose Island for Shaw's Smelt Fest 2007!

That's right, the smelt can run up the river to spawn, but they can't hide from the nets of the Wisconsin fishermen. The result? The freshest, tastiest little fish you've ever had, fried in a secret batter and served up at the all-you-can-eat smelt fry hosted by American Legion Post #82. The secret is out, and like the smelt, the crowds are always gathering this time of year in Port Washington.

Before the fish fry, we'll stop in historic Cedarburg, Wisconsin, where we'll have time to visit the unique collection of arts and craft shops, local confectionaries, and hang-out at the lively local taps and discuss the finer art of smelt fishing.

Travel Arrangements:
To reserve your seat on the bus call Emily Grimm at 312-527-2722 at Shaw's Chicago and Toni Minnick at 847-517-2722 at Shaw's Schaumburg.

Meet Up:
Saturday, April 14th - Registration will begin at 9:00a.m. at Shaw's Chicago and Shaumberg locations. Charter busses will depart at 10:00 a.m. from Shaw's Chicago - at 21 East Hubbard Street - and from Shaw's Schaumburg at 1900 East Higgins Road, Shaumberg. All buses will return at approximately 9:00 p.m.

Cost:
$75 per person. Reservations are required. Price includes sunrise Bloody Mary's and Mimosas, juices and breads from the Corner Bakery, deluxe motor coach transportation with Goose Island brews, wine and champagne served onboard, a box lunch, entrance fees for the VFW Smelt Fry, a "Smelt Fest" logo embroidered fleece pull-over and much, much more.

Roger Protz on Goose Island IPA

In his March 28 article printed in The Guardian, Roger Protz, recipient British Guild of Beer’s first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award, wrote that Goose Island India Pale Ale “may just be the best beer in the world.” Protz’s article explores beers from around the planet, examining beer culture in a number of different countries.

Roger Protz has written 15 books on beer and beer culture. He is the editor of the Good Beer Guide – an annual publication he produces in conjunction with the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). Protz is an active and influential member of CAMRA, an organization devoted to preserving traditional cask-conditioned ale that is the strongest consumer rights group in Britain. Protz regularly contributes to The Times and The Morning Advertiser of London in addition to The Guardian.

Roger Protz has received a number of prestigious beer awards. In 2004, the British Parliament named him its “Beer Drinker of the Year.” He has been awarded two gold and five silver tankards from the British Guild of Beer and gold, silver, and bronze awards from the North American Guild of Beer Writers.

Goose Island India Pale Ale contains four pounds of hops per barrel – making a single bottle of Goose Island IPA contain more hops than an entire case of American light lager. Goose Island IPA has been named World Champion IPA by the Beverage Testing Institute and has won gold, silver, and bronze medals at the Great American Beer Festival.

Founded in 1988, Goose Island is a family-owned brewery committed to creating innovative, high-quality craft beers that both cater to and challenge the evolving tastes of its growing market. While all Goose Island beers are bottled and brewed in Chicago, more than half of the company’s sales come from outside Illinois. Goose Island beers are currently available in 15 states and the United Kingdom. The company bottles 15 different craft beers at present, eight of which are available year-round. As of 2007, Goose Island beers have earned 21 national and international awards. In addition to the company’s Fulton Street brewery, the Goose Island family includes two Chicago brewpubs – one in Lincoln Park and another in Wrigleyville. These brewpubs serve all of Goose Island’s bottled craft beers in addition to specialty “pub beers” brewed on premise.

Wrigleyville Tap List 04.09.07

312 Urban Wheat Ale 4.2% ABV
“312” is a crisp and refreshing unfiltered wheat ale with hazy straw color. The light floral hop nose is followed by a vibrant, fruity ale flavor. A blend of pale barley malt and torrified American wheat yield a smooth body, clean malt character, and crisp finish. Food pairing suggestion: Caesar Salad and Shrimp Martini.

India Pale Ale 5.9% ABV
Celebrated as the very best if its kind, our India Pale Ale recalls a time when ales shipped from England to India in the 18th Century were highly hopped to survive the long journey. Truly a hop lover's dream, this honey golden classic starts with a soaring tropical fruit aroma set off by a tart toasted malt middle with dried fruit undertones followed by a long, palate-cleansing, earthy hop finish. India Pale Ale holds its own with our Cajun and Asian inspired dishes: Jambalaya and Cumin Chicken Wrap.

Naughty Goose 5.2% ABV
A brown ale with a bite! An American version of the English classic, this brew balances the malty sweetness with a good amount of domestic Tettnnag and Cascade hops. Served cask-conditioned, the malt complexity and floral hoppiness show nicely.

Kilgubbin Red Ale 5.0% ABV
Just a few blocks south of here lies actual Goose Island, which was originally named Kilgubbin by its population of Irish immigrants. Each spring, we brew an Irish red ale in tribute to these immigrants, who made their living raising geese. Brewed with a touch of malted rye and U.K. North down hops, Kilgubbin is a smooth drinking pint.

Demolition 1800 8.0% ABV
Hops, hops and more hops make our Golden Strong Ale special. Over 30 pounds of Czech Saaz and Styrian Goldings are used per 10 barrel batch for one of the hoppiest brews anywhere.

Honker's Ale 4.3% ABV
BRONZE MEDAL WINNER 2006 WORLD BEER CUP! Goose Island’s classic Honker's Ale is a subtle and elegant American Pale Ale in the English style. Beautiful honey amber hue with a pronounced hop aroma perfectly balancing a medium malt body and a dry hop finish. Food pairing suggestion: Buffalo Burger and BBQ Pork Sandwich.

Nut Brown Ale 4.5% ABV
GOLD MEDAL WINNER 2006 WORLD BEER CUP! A deep chestnut-hued light-bodied ale of unusual complexity with a hint of sweetness. A nose of earthy hops and roasted grains continues to a subtle malty middle with notes of chocolate, honey, and fine tobacco leading to a satisfying "nutty" finish. Pairs well with the Turkey Burger and Chicken Pot Pie.

Coffee Stout 6.9% ABV
Our S.O.B Stout aged in whole coffee beans in the serving tank. The oils in the beans provide fragrant coffee aroma & flavor.

Dublin Stout 4.0% ABV
The next best thing to a fresh pint in the Irish capitol, Goose Island Dublin stout is a classic creamy, light bodied stout with a coffee like flavor and a distinctive dry, roasted, bitter finish. Truly a pint of wisdom!

Matilda 9.0% ABV
Brewed with Pale, Munich and a touch of Belgian Special B malt, this Belgian strong ale is a Goose Island first. What makes it special is the Kölsch yeast strain used in this brew: it produces a mellow tartness to complement the complex malt character. Styrian Golding and an abundance of Saaz hops add to the crisp flavor.

Special ED 9.7% ABV
Our Imperial Smoked Brown Goose is a flavorful high-gravity beer based on the Imperial Brown Goose recipe, but with 62% smoked malt and less finishing hops.

Clybourn Tap List 04.09.07

Honker's Ale 4.3% ABV
BRONZE MEDAL WINNER 2006 WORLD BEER CUP! Goose Island’s classic Honker's Ale is a subtle and elegant American Pale Ale in the English style. Beautiful honey amber hue with a pronounced hop aroma perfectly balancing a medium malt body and a dry hop finish. Food pairing suggestion: Buffalo Burger and BBQ Pork Sandwich.

312 Urban Wheat Ale 4.2% ABV
“312” is a crisp and refreshing unfiltered wheat ale with hazy straw color. The light floral hop nose is followed by a vibrant, fruity ale flavor. A blend of pale barley malt and torrified American wheat yield a smooth body, clean malt character, and crisp finish. Food pairing suggestion: Caesar Salad and Shrimp Martini.

Nut Brown Ale 4.5% ABV
Gold Medal winner 2006 World Beer Cup A deep chestnut-hued light-bodied ale of unusual complexity with a hint of sweetness. A nose of earthy hops and roasted grains continues to a subtle malty middle with notes of chocolate, honey, and fine tobacco leading to a satisfying "nutty" finish. Pairs well with the BBQ pork sandwich and Chicken Pot Pie and our Ale Steamed Mussels. Served in a Pint glass.

Bock 6.8% ABV
This rich, malty German style lager is brewed to celebrate the arrival of Spring. A longer cold maturation period for this style of beer contributes to its smooth character, but be forewarned, as it’s name implies, (Bock means “goat” in German), it is said to possess the “kick of a goat”. Served in a stein.

Summertime Kölsch Bier 5.0% ABV
Kölsch, the clean and refreshing beer style of Cologne, brewed with authentic German hops and malt, quenches Chicago’s summertime thirst. Pleasant fruit bread aromas lead to a light pale malt palate with toasted French bread and mild citrusy hops. Finishes smoothly with mild bitterness. Food pairing suggestion: Crispy Chicken Salad. Served in a Pint glass.

India Pale Ale 5.9% ABV
Celebrated as the very best if its kind, our India Pale Ale recalls a time when ales shipped from England to India in the 18th Century were highly hopped to survive the long journey. Truly a hop lover's dream, this honey golden classic starts with a soaring tropical fruit aroma set off by a tart toasted malt middle with dried fruit undertones followed by a long, palate-cleansing, earthy hop finish. India Pale Ale holds its own with our Cajun and Asian inspired dishes: Jambalaya and Blackened Catfish Po’boy. Served in a Pint glass.

Kilgubbin Red Ale 5.0% ABV
Just a few blocks south of here lies actual Goose Island, which was originally named Kilgubbin by its population of Irish immigrants. We brew an Irish red ale in tribute to these immigrants, who made their living raising geese. Brewed with a touch of malted rye and U.K. Northdown hops, Kilgubbin is a smooth drinking pint. Served in a Pint glass.

Fulton Wood Bitter 5.6% ABV
We present a small batch beer brewed at our Fulton street production brewery. A blend of four malts creates its golden hue. Palisade and Mt. Rainier hops are used in the kettle, while the floral hop aroma is the result of dry hopping with cascade hops. Served in a pint glass.

Rye Stout 5.0% ABV
Our hoppiest seasonal stout is made with nearly 25% rye malt for an interestingly spicy flavor. This brew has a long roasted malt complexity from the use of chocolate malt and roasted barley, and is highly hopped with Styrian Golding hops. Served in a Pint glass.

Norman's MemoriAle 5.2% ABV
This British-style best bitter is actually a “small Beer” made from the “Old Abe Barleywine” mash. It was first brewed as “Little Abe”, the less potent sibling of “Old Abe” - for our friend Norman, who requested a lower alcohol session beer. Norman thought it was “abenormally” drinkable. Sadly, this year it has been brewed in honor of his memory. A portion of the proceeds from this beer will be donated to cancer research. Served in a Pint glass.

Reserve Matilda 7.0% ABV
Gold Medal winner 2005 Great American Beer Festival Silver Medal winner 2006 World Beer Cup Brewed with Pilsner, Munich and a touch of Crystal malt, this Belgian strong ale is a golden hoppy delight. What makes it special is the yeast strain used in this brew: it produces a mellow tartness to complement the complex malt character. Styrian Golding and an abundance of Saaz hops add to the crisp flavor. Served in a Reserve glass.

Reserve Demolition 8.0% ABV
Back in the early 90’s, our landlord tore down the original mall surrounding the brewpub. Very few people knew we were still open with all the wrecking balls careening around. Without all the fiercely loyal regulars who braved the construction debris, Goose Island would have closed. We brewed this strong golden ale in their honor. We brewed it with Saaz and Styrian Golding hops for a grassy, citrus aroma and lots of pale malt for intense flavor. Served in a Reserve glass.