Goose Island Taproom — Restaurant in West Chicago Township

Borrowing the wise words of our epic Chicago historian Shermann Dilla Thomas Goose Taproom is one of the dopest places in the dopest cities (located near the United Center) Why so?

Not surprisingly, the crew that works is there is above and beyond amazing! From the tap manager to the bar tenders, to the tour guides, to the brewers, and the list goes on. This is a must if visiting town and especially if your a local. This place benefits from local patronage as we can be part of a tourist’s experience! Despite Chicago’s segregated neighborhood design, this place embraces love and diversity for all folks. I know this first hand having organized diverse musical events.

They of course are know for their beers and you will find on site ONLY options that are amazing and very LIMITED.

You can bring your own food, family, and they have menus onsite to order in.

You may run into amazing Goose Taproom reps like Nick, Chris, Brian, Johnny, Julian, Kelsie, Eliseo, and more that provide top notch professional customer service that you just won’t find at most places. It is a rather magical dream team.

Parking is usually easy and there are dope spots within a 2-3 drive to get coffee Metric (pricey yet good) pizza - Dante’s or Tortorice's Pizza, vegan food - Liberation Kitchen/Upton’s, and a bakery - Publican Bakery (pricey yet good).

This place is a must, again for all tourists (yes families are welcome for well behaved kids 😉; and especially for you beautiful Chitown locals (yes born and raised or yuh been here...

The wind is whipping off Lake Michigan as I make my way toward Goose Island Taproom on Fulton Street. I can already smell the hoppy aromas wafting from within. This Chicago taproom has been a neighborhood staple for years, pouring a wide variety of craft beers made in their brewery just down the street.

Stepping inside, I'm immediately greeted by the dimly lit, rustic atmosphere. Old wood furnishings and beer tasting signs adorn the walls. A long, worn bar stretches the length of the room with seats always in high demand. The taps feature an array of IPAs, lagers, sours and barrel-aged beers. I chat with the friendly bartender as he explains the rotating taps. A couple sat at the end are enjoying pints and a plate of pretzels as they gaze out the window at passersby bundled up against the winter cold.

After selecting a New English IPA, I cozy up in a corner and admire the cozy vibe. Sports play quietly on the TVs but most patrons are too engaged in conversation to notice. With every sip, I'm transported by the complex flavors - notes of sweet caramel balancing tropical fruit and citrus hoppiness. It's no surprise this place has become such a beloved hangout over the years. I'll have to be sure to visit again real soon when warmer weather returns to enjoy some outdoor seating along the riverwalk. Until then, I'll be staying warm inside with another perfectly brewed pint. Don't forget to stop by if you find yourself in this neighborhood...

Food: No food!

Brew: Where to start? This place is amazing. They offer 2-hour tours with a souvenir pint glass (reservations and tickets needed and can be purchased through their website) and a beautiful taproom to enjoy their staple beers like Goose Island IPA and 312 wheat ale. But this is where things get even better. They also brew up exclusive taproom beers to try. I don't mind being a guinea pig since can't try any of these beer anywhere in the world or even down the block at the nearest bar. They welcome feedback on their creations so maybe one day they can be bottled and sold as a new seasonal. I tried a wet hop pale ale that involves picking the hops and shipping them overnight and throwing them right into the boil to create the sweetest aroma that will set off every taste bud on your tongue. It was Amazing! They also sell brewing ingredients so you can make your own beer at home. You can find some great hops and malt to purchase.

The tour was fun. It was $12 and you have to purchase tickets online ahead of time because they sell out. You taste 3 beers on the tour and receive a souvenir pint glass at the end of the tour. You get some great insight on some of their recipes and history. Worth doing if you...