Goose Island Bramble Rye Bourbon County Brand Stout: Stout aged in rye whiskey barrels with raspberries and blackberries. A keg label approval also came in for Cherry barrels as well though that has already been released at one point per RateBeer. Though the RateBeer one has cacao nibs and this other version doesn’t. It is difficult to tell whether the brewery is just getting label approval as a technicality or if they are actually going to release more of it. Email sent out to brewery…
UPDATE: From an Eater interview with then-Brewmaster, Greg Hall, back when the brewery was sold, “We have another Bourbon County Stout variation: Bramble Rye. It’s made with blackberies and aged in rye barrels; I think they’re from Heaven Hill. And we have a barrel-aged barley wine calling King Henry. My daughter Sofie got her beer when she turned 10 and my son Henry gets his beer when he turns 10 in May. We’ll have the beer toward the end of the year, so it’ll be more of a Christmas present for him.”
Others…
Red Brick Smoked Vanilla Gorilla: aged in oak barrels with vanilla beans Weyerbacher Sierra
Cutters Empire Imperial Stout
Cutters Monon Wheat
Blue Hills Dunkelweizen
The Hideout Purple Gang American Pilsner
Prism ChemoSabe
City Steam Blonde on Blonde
Pennsylvania Harvest Rye PA
Little Mountain Santa’s Sleigh
Little Mountain Rampant Lion
Little Mountain No. 6
[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]
Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat Ale: Production of Goose Island at one of Anheuser-Busch’s facilities is one step closer to fruition with this keg label approval.
Samuel Adams The Vixen Chocolate Chili Bock: Ale brewed with cinnamon and with spices and cocoa nibs added / 8.5% ABV
Samuel Adams Third Voyage Double IPA
Cigar City Auld Alliance Scotch Ale
Epic Barrel Aged IPA
East End Old Nebby Stock Ale
Chi-Town Lake Shore Lager
Sprecher Rock the Green Special Amber Vienna Style Lager
Kissmeyer PilNZer Dry Hopped Pilsner (Imported by Shelton Brothers)
High and Mighty Fumata Nera Smoked Black Rye Beer
High and Mighty Fumata Bianca Smoked White Rye Beer
[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]
(Chicago, IL) – Goose Island Beer Co. made an announcement on its website today…
…but nothing on Twitter or Facebook yet…hmm. Below is the full text.
—————————————————
Goose Island Drinkers,
Goose Island has decided to withdraw three batches of bottled Sofie Belgian Style Ale from the marketplace, packaged on 2/11/2011, 3/8/2011, 4/20/2011. The 2/11/2011 batch is 650ml bottles, the 3/8/2011 and 4/20/2011 batches are 4 packs.
During a routine tasting at our brewery we discovered a bottle of Sofie that had flavor attributes that were different than expected. We found the flavors associated with these samples could be variable from bottle to bottle within these 3 production batches. Some of the bottles in each batch are outside of our desired taste profile.
Brewing Sofie is a complex process that blends barrel aged beer with fresh beer. We have found the root cause of the flavor variation. It was from some of the aging barrels and we have implemented a method of controlling this variation in the future. The beer is perfectly safe to drink, but it doesn’t meet our strict quality standards and requirements for taste.
We deeply appreciate the trust you put into Goose Island and we thank you for your support.
[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]
Goose Island King Henry: Sure to be highly sought after, this is a Bourbon Barrel-aged Barleywine weighs in at 11.5% ABV. It won’t be released until December per the Goose Island site.
Goose Island Christmas Ale: On that note, Christmas Ale is set to return for the first time since late 2009 this October.
Harriet West Side Belgian-style IPA: This new Minnesota brewery also got keg label approvals for European Style Pils, Dark Abbey Belgian-style Dubbel and Wodan Weizen European-style Weissbier
Piney River McKinney Eddy Amber Ale: New Missouri brewery? Also got approval for Bronzeback Pale Ale. One label says bottled, one label says canned. Both are 16 ounces. Interesting.
Urban Chestnut Zwickel Belgian Style Lager: Speaking of Missouri, new keg approvals from Urban Chestnut. Also look for Schnickelfritz Bavarian Style Wheat Beer.
Shades of Pale Publican Pale Ale: …in 22 oz. bottles
[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]
(Chicago, IL) – Goose Island Beer Company is excited to announce the appointment of Brett Porter as Brewmaster of the company’s Fulton Street brewery, effective May 1, 2011. Taking over the reins from long-term Brewmaster Greg Hall, Porter will oversee the creative and technical development of Goose Island’s award-winning portfolio of beers.
Before joining Goose Island as Head Brewer in May 2010, Porter worked from 2005 to 2010 as Head Brewer at Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Ore., where his beers earned more than 150 awards. Previously, Porter was Head Brewer of Portland Brewing, a position he held from 1993 to 2005. His resume also includes brewing apprenticeships in England at Bunces Brewery and Holden’s Brewery.
Porter graduated with a B.A. from University of Oregon in 1988, continuing on to do graduate work in biology, chemistry and English. A lifelong student of beer, Porter studied brewing at University of California at Davis and has served as Secretary/Treasurer of District Northwest Master Brewers Association of America from 2008 to 2010.
Renowned in beer circles for his technical mastery, Porter’s experience at Goose Island has allowed him to focus on creativity and innovation. He says, “Goose Island has somehow retained an approach to beer that you often only find at brewpubs, an ultimate respect for the craft of brewing. John Hall is always encouraging brewers to first do what is best for the beer. It is the kind of environment where a brewer can focus on the craft and be creative to explore.”
In taking over the reins from Greg Hall, Porter says he intends to carry on Hall’s open-mindedness and innovative spirit. “When it comes to creative ideas, I have not heard Greg say ‘no’ even once. It is a philosophy that inspires a brewing team to think anything is possible, and I can tell you from experience that it makes for some pretty exciting discoveries.” Porter also admires Hall’s culinary connections in the Chicago community. “Greg is an integral and respected member of the great food town that is Chicago. The best way to tell you my desire to carry on this tradition is: I am hungry.”
Greg Hall is excited that Brett Porter will continue Goose Island’s legacy of innovation and growth. “Brett is a fantastic brewer,” Hall says. “His years brewing in the Northwest made him a perfect choice for Head Brewer last year and a natural choice for the next Goose Island Brewmaster. I’m certain under Brett’s watch, Goose Island will continue to brew outstanding, innovative beers.” Hall will serve as Consultant to the company, advising Goose Island on strategic direction, beer styles, marketing and brand positioning.
Founded by John Hall in 1988, Goose Island Beer Company is one of the Midwest’s first craft breweries. Goose Island is acclaimed for creating world-class ales including 312 Urban Wheat Ale, Honker’s Ale, India Pale Ale, Matilda, Pere Jacques, Sofie, and a wide variety of seasonal, draft-only and barrel-aged releases including Bourbon County Brand Stout, the original bourbon barrel-aged beer. Located at 1800 W. Fulton St., Chicago, Ill., 312-226-1119, www.gooseisland.com.
[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]
(Chicago, IL) – In what will likely be the largest acquisition of the year for small breweries, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. announced that it will buy 23 year-old Goose Island Beer Co.
[Update 1: Chicago Breaking Business reports that Brewmaster, Greg Hall, is stepping down.]
[Update 2: According to a press release, a) John Hall will stay on as CEO, b) the two breweries will not be part of the deal and will remain open, and C) AB is going to put $1.3 million into the Fulton Street facility as early as this summer to help it expand.]
[Update 4: Kate Bernot, Contributing Editor at The Feast Chicago, says Head Brewer, Brett Porter, will take over Greg Hall's duties as Brewmaster.]
[Update 5: HOOK (Craft Brewers Alliance) stock is up over 6% in morning trading. The stock price was only $2.50/share just one year ago and is at $8.75 today.]
What a turn of events. The deal is for $38.8 million split up between AB buying 58% for $22.5 million and Craft Brewers Alliance selling its 42% stake in the company for $16.3 million.
Crain’s Chicago reported in early February:
“Goose Island Beer Co. has hired an investment banker to find financing to help it spread its wings.
The Chicago craft brewer is working with Chicago-based Livingstone Partners LLC to line up backers to expand its brewing capacity, which is maxed out, says John Hall, Goose Island’s founder and president.
Mr. Hall, 68, hopes to find venture capitalists willing to take a stake in the fast- growing business but leave his family in control.”
Looks like they found a better deal than venture-backed funding….
Here’s an excerpt of the beneficial ownership report, released within the past hour:
On March 27, 2011, Anheuser-Busch, Incorporated (“ABI”), a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., and Craft Brewers Alliance, Inc. (“CBA”) entered into a binding term sheet by which ABI will purchase the 42% interest in Fulton Street Brewery, LLC (“FSB”) owned by CBA (the “CBA Interest”) for a purchase price of $16,300,000 in cash, reductions in the distribution fees to be paid by CBA to ABI under the existing distribution arrangements between the parties, amendments to the minority rights held by ABI and additional commercial considerations described below. FSB is a Chicago-based brewer of malt beverage products under the “Goose Island” brand.
ABI had previously entered into an equity purchase agreement (the “GHI Proposal”) with Goose Holdings, Inc. (“GHI”) to purchase GHI’s 58% interest (the “GHI Interest”) in FSB for a purchase price of $22,500,000. Pursuant to the FSB operating agreement between GHI and CBA, GHI notified CBA that CBA was required either (i) to match the GHI Proposal on the same terms provided in the equity purchase agreement or (ii) to sell the CBA Interest in FSB to ABI for a purchase price of $16,300,000 (being 42% of the aggregate price that would be paid by ABI for all of FSB). The GHI Proposal conditioned the obligations of each of GHI and ABI to consummate the transaction on CBA’s agreement to sell the CBA Interest to ABI. Although the exchange and recapitalization agreement between ABI and CBA (“Exchange and Recapitalization Agreement”) prohibited CBA from acquiring the GHI Interest without the consent of ABI or the waiver by ABI of certain provisions of that agreement, ABI advised CBA on March 25, 2011 that should the CBA board of directors determine to purchase the GHI Interest, ABI would provide the necessary waiver.
[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]
This past summer, Goose Island Beer Co. collaborated with chef and author, Rick Bayless, on a beer to compliment the cuisine at Bayless’ Chicago-based restaurant, Frontera. Hop Cast got the scoop on how the beer came to be and what menu items inspired it (see video below or larger). Just speculating (nothing official) but I would guess that these 22 oz. bottles will be an exclusive offering at Frontera and perhaps the Goose Island brewpubs.
The Chicagoist summarizes the brew well enough: “Marisol is a Belgian golden ale, spiced with tangerine zest, coriander and ugli fruit. That last ingredient’s the doozy. Ugli fruit, a bastard hybrid of Seville orange, grapefruit and tangerine, is indeed ugly.”
[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]
(Chicago, IL) – Goose Island Christmas Ale will not be made this year.
A source confirms that the beer will be skipped over due to “capacity issues.” The news first surfaced yesterday with a posted on Beer Advocate:
“It sounds as if this is the case. I talked to an inside source today and he said that Goose Island won’t be brewing their Christmas Ale this year, which has been in 22oz. bombers. The reason? He said that Goose Island is expanding their sales market so much right now that they’re having trouble keeping up with the demand of their staples such as 312 and just don’t have the space.”
There’s no word on the beer actually being retired as the thread title suggests though. It will likely return once the brewery has a better handle on its growth.
In other news, as of last Friday, Goose Island has packaged one million case equivalents and is expected to have shipped that case sometime this week. Narragansett ran quite the promo on its one millionth case when it hit the mark this past spring but it’s not as big of a deal for some other brewers apparently.
[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]
(Chicago, IL) – Goose Island Beer Co. is discontinuing its Nut Brown Ale and Oatmeal Stout.
It is not everyday that a brewery announces the end to 40% of its core year-round lineup. Goose Island 312, Honker’s Ale, India Pale Ale, Nut Brown Ale and Oatmeal Stout were once the brewery’s stalwarts, each having seen three (some four) decades, but the industry is shifting toward higher alcohol, Belgian-styles, etc. and away from session beers. Brown Ales in particular have taken the plunge. Both of these are easily considered to be widely accessible benchmark beers for their styles and they both rate at or above the 90th percentile for those styles at RateBeer.
Here is the explanation from the brewery via Facebook:
“It is with some sadness and regret that we note the passing into history of two of Goose Island’s oldest styles of ale: Nut Brown (formerly Hex Nut Brown) and Oatmeal Stout. These classic English styles were born in the brewpub at 1800 Clybourn and later bottled and distributed from the Fulton Street brewery. Both beers received critical acclaim and continue to win awards at the highest level.
But in the competition for fermentation capacity, tap handles, and shelf space, Nut Brown and Oatmeal Stout have been disadvantaged by the increasing popularity of hoppy, wheat, sour, and barrel aged beer styles. We are grateful for the few loyal aficionados who have enjoyed our old friends until the end. To you, we can offer only assurance that the Goose Island brewpubs will continue to brew regular batches of both beers and offer them by the pint and by the growler to enjoy at home.
The very last batches of Nut Brown Ale and Oatmeal Stout are in stores now: good to the last drop.”
[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]
