HONK WHEN YOU DRIVE BY - Chicago's Goose Island Brewery Closing Original Brew-Pub Location!
IN LINCOLN PARK SINCE 1988. CHICAGO'S FIRST BREW-PUB VICTIM OF RISING RENTS IN HIP NEIGHBORHOOD!
Twenty years ago, in Chicago's North and Clybourn Neighborhood in which the original Goose Island Brewery is located, few thriving businesses existed. There was a new Crate & Barrel Store down the street, a few hot dog stands, and a couple of beaten-down old hand car washes. But little more.
In 1988, after the Clybourn Square Shopping Center was built, in an old Turtle Wax Plant, and the Goose Island Brewery opened, the area started hopping. Today, the bustle in the area happens around-the-clock, but the old brewery is leaving - a victim of the higher rent levels brought on by the area's huge popularity.
Don't worry, Goose Island's flagship Honkers Ale, 312, and other craft-brewed beers will continue to be produced at it's nearby free-standing brewery, at 1800 W. Fulton Street. And the Goose's Wrigleyville location, on the 3500 Block of North Clark Street, in the shadow of Wrigley Field, will remain open with pub fare, home brew, and lots of big screen TV's. But the original Goose Island will serve last call at the end of this year.
They will be looking for another Lincoln Park location, however.
Over 90,000 barrels of Goose Island beers were sold in 2007 - a 50% increase over 2006. The increase was made possible through a distribution deal with brewing giant Anheuser-Busch early last year. The original partners sold their interest to Widmer Brewing of Oregon in 2007; Widmer is partly owned by Anheuser-Bush.
Each Goose Island brew retains its individual character and taste, as well as a growing followings in 14 states nearby. However, the air around North and Clybourn Avenues will lose it's distincive aroma after the pub closes.
See Mike Hughlett's story, and related video and photos (including some very original tapper handles), in the April 14th edition of The Chicago Tribune.
DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
