Goose Island won me back

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by ZDub, Jul 13, 2013.

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  1. ZDub

    ZDub Initiate (0) Mar 12, 2009 Illinois

    Last night I was lucky enough be part of an invite-only tour of Goose Island's Fulton Street brewery. Like a lot of craft beer enthusiasts, I was a bit turned off by GI after they were bought out by AB. Outside of picking up a bottle of BCBS when I could find it, I completely stopped purchasing GI's regular beers.

    That will change now though. Talking with employees and getting to see the R&D GI is still doing to create amazing beer has earned them back a ton of respect in my book. I guess on some level I expected to find AB's fingerprints on everything, but that wasn't the case. Aside from a few AB safety signs, the only mention of them referred to the millions of dollars they had put into GI, allowing them to make more beer and continue innovating. Our guide, an actual GI employee and not just a tour guide, had a passion for beer and was extremely knowledgeable about everything craft beer.

    I walked away from the experience thinking that GI may be funded by the MAN, but they're still run by fellow Beer Geeks. How this will affect my purchasing in the future as the big boys snatch up other craft breweries remains to be seen, but for now, I can't wait to see Matilda and Sofie back in my cellar.
     
    #1 ZDub, Jul 13, 2013
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  2. RichD

    RichD Pooh-Bah (2,318) Mar 18, 2012 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    While I completely understand supporting the little guys; Matilda, Sofie & BCBS are way too damn delicious to not buy. I've also read about how their product shouldn't be compromised, but funded to make it more widely available. AND, they upped the sizes of their bombers and charged the same price!
     
    #2 RichD, Jul 13, 2013
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  3. Keffa

    Keffa Initiate (0) Jan 8, 2009 Ohio

    But, but, but, but, but, AB Inbev!

    :rolling_eyes:

    Edit: Sarcasm, for those who don't have a sarcasm detector.
     
    #3 Keffa, Jul 13, 2013
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  4. boilermakerbrew

    boilermakerbrew Initiate (0) Aug 13, 2010 Indiana

    I've said it once, I'll say it again...

    Drink the beer that you think tastes good.

    Unless it's the 60's and everyone is high again, we ain't here to "fight the man."
     
    #4 boilermakerbrew, Jul 13, 2013
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  5. Nachojon

    Nachojon Pundit (844) Sep 17, 2011 Oregon

    But, Matilda and Sophie aren't very good.
     
    #5 Nachojon, Jul 13, 2013
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  6. TheNightwatchman

    TheNightwatchman Initiate (0) Mar 28, 2009 Pennsylvania

    My philosophy: If the beer is good, I'll buy it.


    I buy plenty of other products that are produced by large corporations. Why should beer be any different? Occasionally buying beer from a BMC brewer doesn't seem to be putting my favorite craft breweries out of business.
     
    #6 TheNightwatchman, Jul 13, 2013
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  7. ESHBG

    ESHBG Pooh-Bah (2,099) Jul 30, 2011 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    I agree and I buy what I like, regardless of who makes it...a good product is a good product to me. I think Goose Island is a solid brewery and almost every single thing I have had from them thus far I have really enjoyed. Case in point I tried their 25th Anniversary Ale last night and thought that it was great!
     
    #7 ESHBG, Jul 13, 2013
  8. gyberic

    gyberic Initiate (0) Oct 6, 2011 California

    Goose Island never lost me. The AB/InBev ownership is weird, but BCBS still tastes like it did when it became my favorite beer and will probably remain in that slot until it tastes different.
     
    #8 gyberic, Jul 13, 2013
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  9. mani

    mani Initiate (0) Jun 16, 2012 New Jersey

    I agree with the if its good buy it.

    When reading posts about not buying it b/c of AB, I always think how many of the people that don't buy say GI anymore, shop at Home Depot, eat TGI Fridays, shop at the chain grocery store and not at the local hardware store, the farmers market or the local burger place....
     
    #9 mani, Jul 13, 2013
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  10. trh70

    trh70 Initiate (0) Dec 31, 2011 Florida

    Although I am dissipointed that GI sold out to Inbev, GI still makes its own beers. While Inbev handles the marketing and distribution. This does two things, gets the beer down here to florida and still make some damn good beer. If and when Inbev takes over the brewing process as well, then I will tell them to piss off.
     
    #10 trh70, Jul 13, 2013
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  11. jreindl

    jreindl Initiate (0) Apr 14, 2013 Wisconsin

    I personally was never worried just because AB got involved. Goose is still great. Oh yeah, and what mani said.
     
    #11 jreindl, Jul 13, 2013
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  12. Nachojon

    Nachojon Pundit (844) Sep 17, 2011 Oregon

    Sorry, in my opinion... previous remark.
     
    #12 Nachojon, Jul 13, 2013
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  13. shnsajax

    shnsajax Initiate (0) Jul 2, 2013 Idaho

    Going to Wrigley then heading to Goose Island will always be a great day.
     
    #13 shnsajax, Jul 13, 2013
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  14. mtomlins

    mtomlins Pooh-Bah (1,585) Mar 12, 2010 Canada (ON)
    Pooh-Bah

    not trying to get into the whole, "my opinion is more correct than yours" argument, but I though Sofie was awesome! I also hope that with a bit of extra funding, the BCBS won't be as hard to find or trade for.
     
    #14 mtomlins, Jul 13, 2013
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  15. jeevo

    jeevo Pundit (976) Nov 1, 2012 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    Subtle boast at being invited to a private Goose Island event.
     
    #15 jeevo, Jul 13, 2013
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  16. Immortale25

    Immortale25 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,775) May 13, 2011 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Matilda, very good. Sofie, eh.
     
    #16 Immortale25, Jul 13, 2013
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  17. Tomhet

    Tomhet Initiate (0) Dec 20, 2010 Illinois

    It could very well be due to my ignorance of the nuances of the acquisition, but this interview seems to point at nothing but good things for the barrel-aged program and other assorted specialty beers that everyone cares about.
     
    #17 Tomhet, Jul 13, 2013
  18. cavedave

    cavedave Grand Pooh-Bah (4,157) Mar 12, 2009 New York
    In Memoriam Pooh-Bah Trader

    Take it from the guy who quite some time ago said he would publicly apologize for bad things said about ABInbev and thank them if they ever made BCBS easily available. Then had to do it right here on this forum, haha. Life is too short not to drink Sofie, BCBS, and especially the coffee variant, and so many other of their beers.
     
    #18 cavedave, Jul 13, 2013
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  19. 2beerdogs

    2beerdogs Grand Pooh-Bah (5,682) Jan 31, 2005 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I buy what I like, however I do factor in a compay's practices/philosophy/ethics..etc. IFor example, I have been watching the Goose Island debates here on BA, and as of now, I'm no boycotter (<--new word:flushed:). But I have and will boycot products from companies who I have reason to do so.
     
    #19 2beerdogs, Jul 13, 2013
  20. 2beerdogs

    2beerdogs Grand Pooh-Bah (5,682) Jan 31, 2005 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    ^^^ Again with well-said wisdom cavedave. I like reading your posts.
     
    #20 2beerdogs, Jul 13, 2013
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