The Goose and Chi - Town

[steveh]

So Redbird Fan - how was your trip to Chicago and the visit to Goose Isalnd, whichever pub you made it to.

S.

[Redbird Fan]

I'm sad to report, I did make it to Chi- town, however I was unable to make it to the goose - the good news is, I make it to chi-town about once per year, so there is always next time - it's up on my to-do list!

[Kalleh1]

Speaking of Chicago.....my husband and I went to the Map Room in Bucktown last night. I am sure this pub has been mentioned here before. We really loved the variety of beers on draught. My husband had a Bosteek Kwak Pauwel (Flemish) that he liked, and I had a Coniston's Bluebird Bitter that I likewise enjoyed. I love the U.K. type beers, though my husband thought mine was too bitter.

I saw that they have a "beer school" next Saturday. Does anyone know what that is all about?

[dillen]

Steveh, You didnt miss much ,the beer is good, the staff has no knowledge of what they sell, plus they are RUDE! Plus side the food is great.

[steveh]

Originally posted by dillen
Steveh, You didnt miss much ,the beer is good, the staff has no knowledge of what they sell, plus they are RUDE! Plus side the food is great.

Dillen, it was Redbird who missed the Goose, I've been going to the original from the first week it was open - boy, that's dating me - I was, uh - using a fake I.D! Yeah, that's it! ;)

AFA the staff being lacking in knowledge and rude, you must have been there on an off-night for the lack of knowledge. Most of the tenders I've dealt with have their beer knowledge down, wait staff could be another subject. And the bartenders only seem to be as rude to you, as you are to them - never had a problem with 'em. And the Wrigleyville pub seems even better service-wise.

S.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Kalleh1
I saw that they have a "beer school" next Saturday. Does anyone know what that is all about?

I've never been because I never seem to plan right, but it looks like fun!

http://www.maproom.com/school.htm

S.

Too bitter? Hah! Beer is *supposed* to be bitter!

[threecb]

When I visited Chicago last month (I had posted here looking for suggestions) I visited Goose Island Clybourne and, although the food was average, the service was excellent in the dining room. After the meal my wife and I went over to the bar for a couple more and had great service from the bartender (who was knowledgable about the beers, too). I liked the place.

We also had a good time on a Saturday afternoon in Piece. They had the large windows in front open. It was sunny and bright. And the my wife totally enjoyed the Hefe while I dug their hoppiest, Dysfunction-ale.

I didn't have time to make it to the Map Room, which was my only disappointment, but after visiting Chi-town, my wife and I know that we will DEFINITELY be back! It's an excellent city.

steve

[steveh]

Originally posted by threecb We also had a good time on a Saturday afternoon in Piece. They had the large windows in front open. It was sunny and bright. And the my wife totally enjoyed the Hefe while I dug their hoppiest, Dysfunction-ale.

The Dysfunctional is great, isn't it? And this from someone who doesn't consider himself a hophead.

I'm surprised to hear that your meal at Goose was only average, I've always been pleased with their menu, even though it is pretty straightforward AFA a pub goes. But the pulled pork sandwich is the best!

S.

[threecb]

yeah, i loved the dysfunctionale...it was probably in my top 3 of the locals that i tried.

AFA pulled-pork sandwiches go, you haven't lived til you've had Dinosaur B-B-Q in Syracuse, NY. Nice!

[deanna]

Originally posted by Kalleh1
I saw that they have a "beer school" next Saturday. Does anyone know what that is all about? [/B]

I'm answering this question about a year later, but...

I've done beer school. Wish I could get there for more. Basically you taste and learn as the beermaster and/or guest speakers teach. You may even munch hops or hop pellets or whatever, depending on the subject matter. You can take notes. More than Goose brews represented for comparison. Lots of beer. Eat first unless you have quite the tolerance for alcohol.

Been to a couple brewmaster dinners (venue varies). Try to attend at least one. I like the Wild Game dinner -- usually in October or November if memory serves me. They are also an education. Beer is paired with food. Each beer described as it is being served. Great way to learn and meet people and eat good food.

[Kalleh1]

Thanks so much, Deanna. I will try to go.

I assume you are from the Chicago area. A big find for my husband and me was a pamphlet telling about good beer places in the Chicago area. It is available for a nominal fee at the Clark Street Ale House, probably my favorite pub in the Chicago area.

[Prankasaur]

Speaking from a person who has been to Goose Island a lot...
1. Beer and beer selection is generally great.
2. I have never been let down with the food.
3. Bartenders are hit or miss.

Sometimes a bartender may have a lot of knowledge, but if they are not willing to share it, it is a mute point. I have had great beer conversations with Goose bartenders, and some have been flat and disinterested with anybody except their buddies. The majority of the time I go to Goose Clybourne; I have been to the one in Wrigleyville only a handful of times.

But my main point....

I feel that if you are in Chicago, the Map Room should be first on your list. In my experience the Bartenders are always knowledgeable and willing to discuss anything from beer to politics. I just seems like a different attitude at the Map Room.

Does anybody agree?

[steveh]

Originally posted by Prankasaur
I feel that if you are in Chicago, the Map Room should be first on your list. In my experience the Bartenders are always knowledgeable and willing to discuss anything from beer to politics. I just seems like a different attitude at the Map Room.

Not to mention they'll include you on the lunch order for the Chinese restaurant up the street - right?! ;D

S.

[Kalleh1]

When I first posted on this site (thanks to Richard English) I met Steve who has been a wealth of information about beer (thanks, Steve!). The first place he directed me and my husband to was the Map Room, and, yes, it was excellent. I told the bartender that I love English ales, and he directed me to some good beer. Still, I like cask conditioned beers the best. That's why I tend to like the 2 bars in Libertyville (Mickey Finn's and the Firkin), and I really like the Clark Street Ale House. The only problem with the latter is that there is no food. However, it is very similar to a real English pub...my very favorite place of all!

[studentofbeer]

to jump in, i spend a good amount of time at goose clybourn because it's near my work, and ive had both good and bad service, as well as food.

the service i tend to try to overlook when it is bad--a lot of times the waitresses are nice but not particularly knowlegable, and the bartenders often know a lot but seem a bit aloof.

I tend to go for the beer because it is almost always excellent and since they are constantly brewing new and different styles it's a fun place to try new things.

i agree with steveh that the servers at wrigleyville can be even nicer (i think they are surprised anytime someone who actually knows about beer drinks there) but i dont like going there anytime near cubs games because they jack up the prices and don't serve as many styles.

i just went to the hopleaf tonight and that might be my favorite chicago destination. i put it above the maproom because it has a no smoking section and food--there's nothing i hate worse than trying to taste beer with smoke all around me. the waitstaff isn't as beer smart as the people at the maproom, but hopleaf a nice environment, and closer to me.

i like clark street ale house for the handpull bell's or 3 floyds they always seem to have, but sometimes it gets a bit loud with the music. i also think sheffield's isn't a bad place (lots of variety) but is often overrun with annoying college people.

anyways, that's my ramble about chicago beer joints. i need to get to the maproom again soon.

[Kalleh1]

We were at the Clark Street Ale House when it just opened so it wasn't crowded or smokey then. I am sorry to hear that about the Clark Street Ale House.

The Hop Leaf is well rated in "The Beer Enthusiast's Guide to Chicago," and we have wanted to go there. The guide says that it is the closest to a Belgian style bar that Chicago has to offer.

Have you ever been to the Fireside at 5739 N. Ravenswood? That bar gets 4-stars from the guide, too. We were there a few weeks ago and liked it. They don't have cask conditioned beer, but their 3 Floyds and 2 Brothers were good. They have 16 draught lines and 75 bottled beer. We had a great time.

I have only been to the Rock Bottom Brewery once, but I was disappointed. They were out of their cask conditioned beer, and the bartenders didn't know much about their beers. In fact, one of their customers gave us advice (which turned out to be excellent.) Perhaps it was an off-night.