How far would you walk to your favorite brewery?

[Bruno_78]

I live in South Bend, In. Every year the motorcycle shop for which I work organizes a bus trip to chicago for a swap meet. Now, I wasn't too interested in old motorcycle parts, but knowing that I'd be an hour and 35 minutes closer to Goose Island than I normally am sort of got me excited. I guess I need to study chicago maps a little more, because the swap meet was at McCormick Place, which I didn't know is upwards of about 6.5 - 7 miles from goose island. But dedication had overcome me, and not only did I walk to goose island, but then all the way back!!

This was yesterday. my legs hurt today.

My plans were to walk a little, and then take a cab the rest of the way. But I had walked so far that I figured I might as well finish out the trip. Then on the way back, I thought about doing the El train or the subway, but I have never used either of those before, and I thought I would probably end up in Shaumburg or someplace like that. So That's when I decided to walk back, making it to the busses right before they were getting ready to leave.

Total walking time, 4 hours
Time at goose, 1 hour, 40 minutes.

[wortchillergoal]

I would do something like that. i just want to know if there was a big difference in the walking time going as the return trip.

[Bruno_78]

I felt like I was walking slower, but it took almost exactly the same time. I was working on a deadline to get back, so being late was not an option.

[ray m]

That is indeed an impressive journey, Bruno. You should be commended for your dedication to fine craft brews. I dunno if I'd walk 14 miles round trip, but walking 5 to 6 total would not be out of the question!

[Bruno_78]

I would have to agree, ray. However, ignorance was at the heart of this journey. A small price to pay, really.

[barley ben]

But now the most important part, was it worth it?!

[threecb]

I'd definitely walk a few miles for a decent brew, and have probaly come close to that at one time or another. In Honolulu I walked quite a bit to get to Sam Choy's BLC for Lunch. We got there at 2:58 and the kitchen closed from 3-5 for the Dinner changeover!

However, mass transit is the way to go! I took the El when I was in Chicago last summer and just a few blocks walk. Less time walking = more time enjoying! I used to be anti MT, but my wife, a veteran of the NYC subway, has shown me that it's much easier then it looks!

[Bruno_78]

Absolutely 100% worth it. There was nothing I'd rather have done.

[Theakston]

When I was growing up in the North of England (he said adjusting his flat cap and checking on the pigeons) we often used to walk miles to the pubs. Some of the finest pubs are on top of the moors in beautiful countryside, because they used to serve as coaching inns (where you could rest the horses and get a pint ). A walk to the pub is a great way to work up a thirst.

In the USA it's not easy to walk anywhere. The countryside is private (in the UK there are public rights of way across most farmlands) and the cities are built mainly for cars. I'm lucky that in our part of the world there are sidewalks and we can get Metro.

You are to be congratulated on your perseverance. What kind of a walk was it? on roadways or was there a sidewalk or trail?

[Bruno_78]

This was straight though the downtown of Chicago, Il. Not nearly as beautiful as the moors, but definately interesting on a good day.

[steveh]

Bruno - I hesitate to tell you that you probably walked right past the Rock Bottom brew pub at the corner of State and Grand. No Goose Island, but they have some decent brews and food - and it was probably half the distance!

Sure glad that you didn't head for the Wrigleyville pub!

S.

[Bruno_78]

Yes, I did in fact walk right in front of the rock bottom window. I've been to a rock bottom before, and wasn't super impressed. I had actually thought about wrigleyville just because I hadn't been there before. And that's precisely the reason I didn't go there. I didn't know exactly how to get there.

[Stodbrew]

Sonds like the Bataan Death March of Brewery treks! :D

[Bruno_78]

I guess the ironic part is that I have several goose island bottles in my refrigerator right now. But they had some great seasonals that I got to taste. Winter Brown, Special bitter (cask), and Old Abberation Barleywine. All very nice.

In hindsight, I guess it was a bit foolish. But now I have a great story I can tell my grandkids.

"You kids have it easy these days, I once walked 14 miles in one day just for a good beer!"

[steveh]

Originally posted by Bruno_78
Yes, I did in fact walk right in front of the rock bottom window. I've been to a rock bottom before, and wasn't super impressed. I had actually thought about wrigleyville just because I hadn't been there before. And that's precisely the reason I didn't go there. I didn't know exactly how to get there.

I know what you mean about RBs, and the Chi pub was pretty mundane in its first days. But I've been pretty impressed by some of their beers lately - they had a great whiskey barrel stout at last year's RAF.

GI Wrigleyville? Straight up Clark , maybe 10 miles from McCormick (meandering the turns to get to Clark) - if you get to Wrigley Field, yer 'bout a block and a half too far! ;)

S.

And Stod - no such luck with brew on Bataan!

[Stodbrew]

Just my sick sense of humor making an appearance! :D

[Stodbrew]

I'm glad to hear that the beers at the GI pubs are tasting good. Their brewer, Wil, is a great brewer. We miss his beers out here on the West Coast, when he was brewing for Seabright in Santa Cruz. Although, the beers at Seabright are still mighty tasty.

[Bruno_78]

Any contact info for Wil? I would like to express my appreciation for his beers, and the lengths I am willing to go to in order to consume them.

[steveh]

info@gooseisland.com

Stod, is Wil at the Lincoln Park or Wrigleyville pub? Funny thing is, there's a commercial on local radio with Greg Hall praising his brewers. He mentions a couple local guys from Chi, one from Mexico I believe - but I haven't heard California mentioned. I'll have to listen closer next time.

S.

[Stodbrew]

I was under the impression that he was working at or overseeing and brewing at both pubs.

[Stodbrew]

I know he designed and has won some medals for the Naughty Goose Brown Ale.

[fretlessman71]

I would drive about 1300 miles to get to Odell's Brewery in Ft. Collins... do I get marks for that? :)

[Stodbrew]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
I would drive about 1300 miles to get to Odell's Brewery in Ft. Collins... do I get marks for that? :)

I think that qualifies.

[threecb]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
I would drive about 1300 miles to get to Odell's Brewery in Ft. Collins... do I get marks for that? :)

Only if you park at the far end of the parking lot!

[chazwicke]

Reminds me of those old commercials: I'd walk a mile for a Camel.

You all are probably too young to remember those.

I wonder how many miles I have traveled in total on my beer quest?

You are to be commended Bruno!

And Fret too for passing 1300.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Stodbrew
I was under the impression that he was working at or overseeing and brewing at both pubs.

Just heard the commercial and Greg Hall mentions the head brewer, John on first shift, from Chicago's north side - brewer Tom on second shift, from Chicago's southwest side - and brewer Miguel on third shift, from Equador (? sorry if I got that wrong).

Since the commercial is for Goose Beer in general, at bars and stores, I'm guessing these guys are at the micro on Fulton, not either of the pubs.

S.

[Stodbrew]

Originally posted by steveh
Just heard the commercial and Greg Hall mentions the head brewer, John on first shift, from Chicago's north side - brewer Tom on second shift, from Chicago's southwest side - and brewer Miguel on third shift, from Equador (? sorry if I got that wrong).

Since the commercial is for Goose Beer in general, at bars and stores, I'm guessing these guys are at the micro on Fulton, not either of the pubs.

S.


Ahhh... could be. I've seen his name on their website for special events a couple of times. Next time you're in one of the pubs and he's there, he'll be wearing shorts, tell him I said hello.

[Beaver]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
I would drive about 1300 miles to get to Odell's Brewery in Ft. Collins... do I get marks for that? )

I need to walk all the way to my garage refrigerator to get a 90. That's gotta be worth something. :D

[studentofbeer]

well it wasn't a brewery and i was walking home from it, but the stupid bus down armitage stops running at some silly early hour and me and a mate walked from the map room back to the red line, which was a good 10 or 11 blocks. went past a neat steel foundry tho. walking is good post-beer consumption.

[steveh]

Originally posted by studentofbeer
well it wasn't a brewery and i was walking home from it, but the stupid bus down armitage stops running at some silly early hour and me and a mate walked from the map room back to the red line, which was a good 10 or 11 blocks. went past a neat steel foundry tho. walking is good post-beer consumption.

It probably would have been a faster walk (in the other direction) to the Blue Line!

That foundry was Finkl Foundry, where they held the Real Ale Fest last year (there's a large, unused warehouse just past that arch-way on Southport) and aren't able to secure a likker license for this year. They held Goose Island Fest on the premises last Summer too.

My pal and I made that reverse walk from the RAF to the Maproom last year - you're right, works off some of the effects - just in time for more!

S.

[chazwicke]

Sort of like walking from pub to pub in London. Problem is sometimes there are lots of them close together. :)