What's next Goose Light?

Fulton Street Brewery LLC, the Chicago-based company that brews Goose Island beers, has agreed to be acquired by Anheuser-Busch, the company announced Monday.

Anheuser-Busch will pay $22.5 million for a 58 percent share in Goose Island’s holding company, known for its Honkers Ale, 312 Urban Wheat Ale and Matilda beers. An additional $1.3 million will be invested to increase at Goose Island’s brewery production at 1800 W. Fulton this summer.

Anheuser Busch Buys Goose Island Brewing

Anheuser Busch Buys Goose Island Brewing

Harpoon Belgian Pale Ale

Reviewed: March 2011
ABV: 5.80
Brewery: Harpoon Brewery
Country:  USA
Beer Type: Belgium Pale Ale
2011 Rating: C+
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Golden caramel color, 1 finger white head, minimal lacing.   Mild taste -  a good malt sweetness that tastes clean,  light spices - very slight hop bitterness.

Goose Island Summertime KöLsch

Reviewed: March 2011
ABV: 4.7%
Brewery: Goose Island Beer Co,
Country: USA
Beer Type: German Style Kölsch
2011 Rating: B
2010 Rating: C
2009 Rating: D

Comments:  I know it's only March 27th & I'm drinking a "summertime" beer.  The Holy Grail Pub at the "Banks" in Cincinnati is getting ready for the Reds Opening Day next week, by serving summertime brews.  The "Gooser" tasted good today!  Cloudy pale yellow color, 1/2"white head.  Slight citrus-lemon aroma.  Sweet malt & citrus (lemon) taste to start - slight hop bitter finish.  Above Average!

Blue Moon Spring Blonde Wheat Ale

Reviewed: March 2011
ABV: 5.4%
Brewery: Coors Brewing Co,
Country: USA
Beer Type: American Pale Wheat Ale
2011 Rating: D+
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  A weak Weissbier.  Light golden color, no real head, minimal lacing.  Citrus and wheat aroma.  Light, sweet wheat & citrus taste.  Forgettable

Sam Adams Irish Red

Reviewed: March 2011
ABV: 5.5%
Brewery: Boston Beer Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Irish Red Ale
2011 Rating: B
2010 Rating: C
2009 Rating: B

Comments: Pours a deep red color with a 2 finger tan head that disappears quickly, some lacing.  A slight caramel & roasted malt aroma.  Smooth taste - sweet in the beginning with a bitter hop finish.  A good Irish Red Ale!

Leinenkugel's Fireside Nut Brown

Reviewed: March 2011
ABV: 4.9%
Brewery: Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Dark Lager
2011 Rating: B
2010 Rating: B
Comments: Deep Amber / brown color with a 2 finger tan head.  A sweet toasted malt & nut (they say it's hazelnut) taste.  Easy to drink!  Leftover at the Barnsburg - a good winter beer.

Guinness Draught

Reviewed: March 2011
ABV: 4.2%
Brewery: Guinness LTD
Country: Ireland
Beer Type: Irish Dry Stout
2011 Rating: AAA+
2010 Rating: AAA+
2009 Rating: AAA

Comments: Nothing beats "The black liquidation with the froth on the top"!  By the way, Guinness Draught in the bottle no longer has a "nitro pellet".  Here's their explanation: "Newly improved Guinness Draught in a Bottle. Enhances the drinking experience when drunk from the bottle. Through innovation and dedication to delivering the best drinking experience, the gas mix has been adjusted so no need for the widget. Same great liquid brewed in St James’ Gate Dublin, using the same great ingredients."  I don't care what they say, Guiness should never be drank direct from a bottle - watching it properly poured  into a pint glass is quite an experience.

Spaten Maibock

Reviewed: March 2011
ABV: 6.5%
Brewery: Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu
Country: Germany
Beer Type: Maibock
2011 Rating: B+
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments: Golden color, nice white head.  Nice sweet malt aroma.  Sweet  - bread, malt, citrus & a slight fruit taste.  A great alternative to the other heavier Bock beers.

Christian Moerlein Emancipator Dopplebock

Reviewed: March 2011
ABV: 7.0%
Brewery: Christian Moerlein Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Bock
2011 Rating: B+
2010 Rating: N/A
2009 Rating: A

Comments: Dark amber/brown color - nice off white head.  Drank from a plastic cup @ Bockfest - really couldn't judge the lacing.   Sweet caramel & malt taste.  Almost too sweet.  Full bodied .

Hudepohl Festival Bock Beer

Reviewed: March 2011
ABV: N/A
Brewery: Hudepohl-Schoenling Brewery
Country:  USA
Beer Type: Bock
2011 Rating: B
2010 Rating: A-

Comments: This year's Hudepohl Festival Bock is not the same bock beer as Hudy sold in 2010.  Nice amber color, small white head, no lacing.  Yeast, bread malt aroma & taste.  Easy to drink.

Schoenling Bock Beer

Reviewed: March 2011
ABV: N/A
Brewery: Hudepohl-Schoenling Brewery
Country: USA
Beer Type: Bock
2011 Rating: C+
2010 Rating: C+

Comments: Red/brown color - white head.  Drank from a plastic cup @ Bockfest - really couldn't judge the lacing.   Thin - watery.  The weakest of the Bocks @ Bockfest.

Sam Adams Noble Pils

Reviewed: March 2011
ABV: 5.2%
Brewery: Boston Beer Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Pilsner
2011 Rating: B+
2010 Rating: A

Comments: "Brewed with all five Noble Hop varieties." Nice clear golden color, frothy white head, GREAT lacing.  You can definitely taste the hops, smooth - easy to drink, crisp dry hops finish.

Great Lakes Elliot Ness

Reviewed: March 2011
ABV: 6.2%
Brewery: Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Amber Lager
2011 Rating: A
2010 Rating: A

Comments: Amber color, nice off white head, great lacing.  Roasted malt - sweet caramel aroma.  Sweet caramel & roasted barley malt taste - with a slight hop finish. EXCELLENT

Yuengling Black & Tan

Reviewed: March 2011
ABV: 4.7%
Brewery: Yuengling Brewery
Country: USA
Beer Type: Black & Tan
2011 Rating: B
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments: Dark brown color, 2 finger tan head, good lacing. Chocolate - malt aroma & taste.  Mild & easy to drink- chocolate taste throughout- bitter finish.

Blackened Voodoo Lager

Reviewed: March 2011
ABV: 5.0%
Brewery: Dixie Brewing Co.

Country: USA
Beer Type: Dunkel Lager

2011 Rating: C
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments: Amber color, creamy head, just a slight bit of lacing.   Not much aroma.  Thin - watery.   Roasted malt taste - dry, not too sweet.  Just average

Turbodog

Reviewed: March 2011
ABV: 5.6%
Brewery: Abita Brewing Company
Country: USA
Beer Type: English Brown Ale
2011 Rating: B+
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments: Dark color, nice tan head, good lacing.  Chocolate & toasted malt aroma.  Chocolate - toffee & roasted coffee taste. 

Abita Amber Beer

Date Reviewed: March 2011
ABV: 4.2%
Brewery: Abita Brewing Company
Country: USA
Beer Type: Märzen
2011 Rating: B
2010 Rating: B-

Comments: Amber color, nice 2 finger white head, good lacing.  Sweet malt aroma & taste.  Smooth -easy to drink.

Purple Haze

Date Reviewed: March 2011
ABV: 4.20%
Brewery: Abita Brewing Company
Country: USA
Beer Type: Fruit Beer
2011 Rating: C & I
2010 Rating: N/A
2009 Rating: I

Comments: Hazy Golden (Hefeweisen) color, slight head, minimal lacing.  Raspberry , raspberry, raspberry - 1 a year is plenty!

Blueberry Ale

Date Reviewed: March 2011
ABV: 4.60%
Brewery: Blue Point Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Fruit Beer
2011 Rating: C+ & I
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments: Strong Blueberry aroma, Light yellow (Bud Lite) color, 2 finger white head.  Sweet blueberry taste.  If you like Purple Haze …you would also like this beer.

Sierra Nevada Glissade Golden Bock

Date Reviewed: March 2011
ABV: 6.40%
Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co,
Country: USA
Beer Type: Helles Bock
2011 Rating: B
2010 Rating: B+

Comments:  Clear golden color with a 1 finger  white head, no lacing. Slight hop smell.  Smooth easy to drink - Sweet malt taste throughout, with a slight hop presence.

Sam Adams White Ale

Date Reviewed: March 2011
ABV: 5.20%
Brewery: Boston Beer Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Wit Bier
2011 Rating: C+
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments: Hazy straw yellow, 2 finger head that disappeared quickly, no lacing.  Citrus aroma.  Crisp citrus, slightly sweet taste.  Not my favorite Sammy.

Mountain Lager

Date Reviewed: March 2011  ABV: 4.50%
Brewery: Appalachian Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Dortmunder-Export Lager
2011 Rating: B
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments: Straw yellow color, 1 finger head that disappears quickly, no lacing. Slight citrus aroma.  Light sweet malt taste with a slight citrus hop taste towards the end.  Very Drinkable.

Newcastle Brown Ale

Date Reviewed: March 2011
ABV: 4.70%
Brewery: Scottish & Newcastle UK Ltd.
Country: England
Beer Type: English Brown Ale
2011 Rating: B
2010 Rating: N/A

Comments:  "The Lighter Side Of Dark"  Golden brown color, 1 finger cream head that disappears quickly. Lightly hopped, smooth & easy to drink.  In Newcastle, England when you say "I'm walking the dog" it means you’re going to the pub to have a Newcastle. Last night I walked   the dog all evening.

Smoked Bockbier

BockFest

Month Reviewed: March
ABV: 7.0%
Brewery: Listermann Brewing
Country: USA
Beer Type: Smoked Bockbier
2011 Rating: I & A
2010 Rating: I
Comments: "Just Like The Monk's Made It" Drank this beer at the 2011 Over The Rhine Bockfest.  Listermann's Smoke Bock was much improved over the 2010 version.  It's just like drinking BACON.  EXCELLENT

Sam Adams Scotch Ale

Month Reviewed: March
ABV: 5.40%
Brewery: Boston Beer Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Scottish Ale
2011 Rating: A
2010 Rating: N/A
Comments:  So good you will want to wear a kilt!  Dark amber color, 2 finger cream head, nice lacing.  Sweet caramel malt taste a long with smoke flavor.  Excellent

Shiner Bock Beer

Month Reviewed: March
ABV: 4.40%
Brewery: Spoetzl Brewery
Country: USA
Beer Type: Bock
2011 Rating: B
2010 Rating: B

Comments: I stand by my 2010 rating: Golden brown color, nice two finger off white head that disappeared quickly, no lacing. Couldn't smell much - maybe some malt.  Smooth malt taste, with a little hop at the end.  Very drinkable

Elysian Pandora's Bock

Elysian Brewing Company - Seattle, WA

http://www.elysianbrewing.com/

Pyramid Live Wire Imperial Hefeweizen

Original Gravity: 17.60
Alcohol by Volume: 7.0%
IBU: 30
Malts:
2-Row, Wheat, Munich
Hops:
Nugget, Tettnang
Availability:
February – April
Pairings:
Semi-soft and soft, ripe cheese plate with freshly sliced green apples and artisanal bread.

Pyramid Thunderhead IPA

Pyramid Alehouse Seattle, WA

http://www.pyramidbrew.com/