Crazy to think that Goose Island Brewery on Clybourn Avenue in Lincoln Park has only been around for 20 years. A Chicago institution like Goose Island Beer evokes turn of the century glory and strong history through out the Second City known as Chicago. Only 20 years? Really? That means that Al Capone never smuggled Honker’s Ale during the Prohibition era. That means that Goose Island India Pale Ale was not present during the era of the “Chicago Machine” influencing politics across Chicagoland. Worst of all, it means that when the 1985 Chicago Bears celebrated their Super Bowl victory there was no refreshing 312 Urban Wheat Ale on hand for the celebration. I am glad to state that Goose Island Beer was around during the Chicago Bulls dynasty of the 1990’s. Most importantly, it was on hand when the Chicago White Sox won the 2005 MLB World Series. Someone needs to create a time machine to incorporate Goose Island beer deeper in the Chicago History Books. 20 years just does not seem right.
20 years is all we are going to get at the Lincoln Park brewery too. Due to lease issues, the original Lincoln Park location will shut down at the end of 2008. Glorious beer will no longer flow through the streets of Lincoln Park. Instead, you will have to drink Goose Island at one of the many neighborhood bars. But the Goose Island Brewery experience was not just about the beer, it was also about the great food menu. Which local Lincoln Park bar will dare to recreate the dynamic combination of Beer Nachos and India Pale Ale? Will they succeed? Plus, the atmosphere of the Clybourn Brew Pub welcomed all walks of life: from beer enthusiast to light drinkers, from party animals to stool hounds, from sports fans to fair-weather fans, all were welcomed at Goose Island Brew Pub on Clybourn.
The only hope left for Goose Island fans is that Goose Island Beer Company takes this opportunity to relocate to a hip, up-and-coming location. It would be great if a Goose Island Brewery pops up in the hip South Loop District. How about a Goose Island Brewery across from Millennium Park? Or maybe Goose Island will stay true to its Lincoln Park roots and look for a location on either Armitage, Webster or Lincoln Avenue? Even better, how about if Goose Island Beer Company opened a brewery down your block?
Take this opportunity to visit the Goose Island Brew Pub on Clybourn this year. Not only do they have a great 20th Anniversary Ale to celebrate their 20 year existence, but it will also be the last year you will be able to be part of Chicago history. When the doors close at the Goose Island Brewery in Lincoln Park later this year, a beer tasting tear will roll down my face.
