Craft beer enthusiasts that come through Chicago visit Goose Island Beer Company: it’s a fact of nature. Goose Island is the most widely known Chicago-based craft brewer hands down. They make really good beer. Recently, my bride and I stopped by the original Clybourn Brewpub to cap off a weekend in the city.
First ordered was Goose Island’s Green Line Pale Ale. This quality American Pale Ale is only available at the brewpub … you will not see it in stores. It is also the flagship of Goose Island’s environmental sustainability initiative, the Green Line Project. It’s fitting that they chose an accessible, sessionable APA to bear the name: Green Line Pale Ale is a mild 30 IBUs and 5.0% ABV.
It comes in a nice clean pint glass bearing its name. I lick my lips, salivate, and embark. This time the beer is paired with a Smoked Chicken Salad and some sweet potato fries with spicy curry ketchup.
The smell is full of citrus hops, and this ale boasts Amarillo, Liberty, Columbus, and Simcoe varieties. The aroma is bright and crisp. Hue is a nice golden honey, and it pours a nice frothy head that amplifies the nose and clings to the inside of the glass as it diminishes.
With a meal, snack, or all on its own, Green Line Pale Ale is a winner. The bright hop notes are citrus through and through, and with a light biscuity malt backbone the beer is balanced to perfection. I would compare it to New Glarus’ Moon Man Pale Ale, which is my absolute favorite APA ever, but it is not quite on the same level: Green Line’s aromas and tastes are just a step below Moon Man’s. Still, this is one great beer. If you want to drink some great beers, come to Chicago.
In the last year or so, I feel like our Pale Ale/IPA offerings here in Chicago have really stepped up. Goose Island boasts the Green Line Pale Ale and their excellent English-style IPA. New kid on the block Half Acre boasts Daisy Cutter Pale Ale and Double Daisy Cutter. Two Brothers have a winner in their Resistance IPA. And there are plenty more that I have not tried…
Don’t leave Chicago without getting you some hoppy goodness!
ABV: 5.0%
Grade: B+
Soon to be added to the list, Half Acre Gossamer Ale…which is a “Golden Ale” but may as well be an APA. Excellent stuff.
+1 to Gossamer. Drank a half gallon myself the first time I had it.
Had a Green Line finally at the Clybourn pub. I enjoyed it. Great addition to their lineup. Tasty, easy to drink, good flavor. If they bottled it, I’d probably buy it.
A really nice beer.! Not over hopped well balanced and very smooth. I was hoping to find it in bottle to take back east.