Green Line

We are visiting some turtles here in Northwest Ohio and enjoying some Green Line Pale Ale. This is very enjoyable. With a relatively mild bitterness, it still conveys some special flavor of that green herb called hops.

The Muddy

I like dark beer. So this one had me at the line, "imperial stout." Taking the first sip, I feel a warming sensation slowly work its way down my gullet all the way to my toes. As you can see in the photo, the head disappeared quickly on this sample. There is licorice added to make you feel like it's even more dark than it is. The licorice is not overpowering, but you probably have to like licorice if you're going to like this beer.

Goose Island Rambler IPA

A nice red ale with an intriguing complexity of tangerine and herbal flavored hops. Goose Island has done it well again.

312 Urban Pale Ale

Of course, chili and beer go together. That's how I was raised, anyway. And that's how I still think of it today.  The only difference is, when I was still at home, my mom's chili would go well with the nearest available light lager. But nowadays, the chili my wife makes, requires a full and intense flavored beer to stand up in the heat. Tonight's batch was extra special. When our son, Cameron, called us in the middle of the meal, Sandy told him, "The chili is making Dad cry." He said, "Now I'm about to cry for not being there to have some."

Goose Island's Urban Pale Ale has a strong malt backbone with hops flavors of lemon grass. It cools the tongue, relieves the throat and settles the gullet.

Ten Hills Pale Ale

When we met Brett Porter at the "Beer's to You and Gourmet Too" last month in Waterloo, he gave us a sample of the new Ten Hills Pale Ale. I appreciated it so much that at my first opportunity I picked up a six pack to enjoy at home.  Brett is Brewmaster at Goose Island and explained well how Anheuser Busch-InBev's takeover of Goose Island has helped the brand, providing resources to get ingredients and technology to make really good beer, as in this present case. Here Goose Island showcases their hops from the first ten hills of their agreement with Elk Mountain Farms in Idaho.

The complexity of the flavors in this American Pale Ale assure me that Goose Island is not losing the advantages of a small brewery even as they are swallowed up by the big guy.  Quite a different model than what we saw in Leinenkugel's case when MillerCoors took them over and started making their beers the industrial way.

I wish Brett and his team well and look forward to the next batch.

Goose Island India Pale Ale

It's my son Cameron's 21st birthday and we spent the evening at Beers to You and Gourmet Too, at the 5 Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in Waterloo. The event featured Goose Island's brewmaster and several of their brews.

It was fun to try different styles and compare notes with Cameron and his roommates as we tasted some spectacular food from Cedar Valley chefs paired with some great beers. Interestingly we discussed on the ride home that the best beers came from the homebrew section of the hall.  Perhaps this experience might motivate these young men, such that, in the future they make the beer they drink.

Goose Island 25th Anniversary Ale

Ever since InBev (Anheuser Busch)  bought up Goose Island I've  been reluctant to try their now mass produced beer. It always bugs me to see the big fish swallow up the little fishes. But this one has a taste worth laying principle aside.

Caramel sweet malt is chased down by a refreshingly hoppy bitter finish.

A day at the lake is nice. A day at the lake with an extra special bitter is awesome!

Goose Island Mild Winter

Congratulations to Caleb Koch, graduating this weekend from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. In celebration we are having some brats and beer. Here pictured is a Goose Island Mild Winter Ale which is tasty and cheap to buy if you wait until May.

Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat

Relaxing with some colleagues after the first day of our convention, I enjoyed the goodness and citrus of this Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat Ale.  Inspired by the city of Chicago, the name comes from the city’s area code.  This picture was taken moments before our dear friend George spilled his drink all over everything.