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Goose has renewed its lease at the Clybourn location for another 3-4 years.

Went there last Saturday, after hearing the good news I tried a Pilgrim Pale, an Aviator Dobblebock, and several IPA's.

Thanks to be god that I do not have to drive to Wrigleyville to enjoy some Goose.

-The Enemy

I travel all the time on business and find brewpubs everywhere I go. This is by FAR the best brewpub I've ever found (Great Lakes Brewing in Cleveland is probably 2nd). Get to GI on Clybourn before the end of 2008 while they still have the location. What a shame to lose such a fantastic place! :-(

http://www.suntimes.com/business/893532,gooseisland041408.article

Goose Island loses lease, to close its Clybourn spot April 14, 2008

BY DAVID ROEDER Staff Reporter

Goose Island Beer Co. said Monday it will close its original brewpub at 1800 N. Clybourn by year-end because it has lost its lease.

The Chicago-based company, founded at the Clybourn site in 1988, will continue to operate its Wrigleyville Brewpub at 3535 N. Clark and to brew and ship beer from 1800 W. Fulton.

The company sells its beers and handcrafted sodas in 15 states and Europe.

John Hall, the company's founder and chief executive, said the Clybourn location won national and international awards and produced 2,100 batches of beer in more than 200 styles.

Twenty years, ago, it also helped revitalize an industrial area plagued by vacant buildings.

"It's a very sad day for me," Hall said of the announced closing. "The Clybourn Brewpub has been like a second home to me for the past 20 years. I've made a lot of good friends over a pint of beer."

The reserve beers are great. They're available elsewhere in the city but well worth the try, particularly the Pere Jacques. All the beers were quality, though not all my particular style favorites. Try the Ed - it'll sit with you for a while.

Service was great and the buffalo burgers were tasty. They'll even do mini slider-like versions for as sampling - just make sure you get the homemade chips.

All in all, it's a definite place to go when hitting beer spots in Chicago.

Every micro should look no further when designing there place.

They do have great beer and the brew master is a true gem. I will miss him and the wonderful craft brewed beer as I doubt I will ever frequent the restaurant again.

I arrived in a very foul mood as I was unable to catch the little bastards that stole the lady’s wallet at the North/Clybourn station (ain’t young anymore as I told the cop). Anyway, the beer had better been good or I was simply going to pour it over my head to cool off.

I first had the cask-conditioned ale of the day which was a delightful “English Midland’s Style Mild.” It had a wonderfully clean nose with a perfect balance that warmed up nice in the very- long aftertaste. Next. Ah – finally an unfiltered wheat – the “312” (their address). This one had a fantastic nose and palate with subtle esters coming and going behind some very fresh Cascade hops. The Summertime Kolsch was the second best of this style I’ve ever had, which was very long on flavor. The IPA was a hop heads delight, especially in the nose, but not overly so on the palate. And the Goose Pils had the most flavor of an pilsner I’ve had. This is not colored water like a lot of (American) Pilsner’s are.

The woman selling the crap in the back could have been a little friendlier (had to buy a shirt), but the bar lady out front (Pam?) was right on top of things and was a pleasure to chat with. Seeing my delight in their other libations, she brought out a bottle of a Belgian-style “Pere Jacques” named after the Abbot at a Trappist brewery. This was part of the “Goose Island Reserve Series” and was heaven in a glass, believe me. The nose was slightly warmer than Ommegang and the alcohol came through nicely. It was brewed with “loads of malt” as the bottle says, but the other flavors came and went as well and was nicely balanced.

The nicest afternoon I’ve ever spent in a brew pub didn’t even come to $30, which also included a humongous appetizer platter for two, that could easily have fed four. I started the MBA (Master of Beer Appreciation) Passport and will be back soon to work on it. And when a place is this good, I have one recommendation – don’t change a thing (please).

While you're in the area, go across the street to Sam's Wine and Spirits. It's an awesome liquor "superstore", with a fantastic selection, including all the Goose Island brews. Plan to spend a couple hours there.