Goose Island Ipa: American Beer Or Not?

Goose Island Beer Co. is a brewery based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. It was one of the first to introduce craft beer to America and its Goose IPA is an American-hopped, deep golden ale, first brewed in 1990. The beer is made with an assertive bitterness and a distinctive aroma, brimming with US Cascade and Centennial hops. The malt has some bready, caramel notes that balance the hops. Goose IPA is a six-time medal winner at the Great American Beer Festival.

History of the IPA

India Pale Ale (IPA) is a hoppy beer that falls within the broader category of pale ales. The story of its origin is a fascinating one, and its popularity has led to the creation of numerous variations. Here is a brief history of the iconic IPA.

The Birth of IPA:

The story of IPA begins with the British Empire's presence in India during the late 1700s and early 1800s. British soldiers, sailors, and civilians in India had a strong desire for beer, but the long voyage often resulted in spoilage. The dark porters commonly consumed in Britain were also less appealing in India's hot climate.

George Hodgson of the Bow Brewery in London is often credited with creating a solution. He started brewing a lighter, more bitter style of beer known as pale ale. Hodgson's innovation was to increase the alcohol and hop levels, which helped preserve the beer during its journey to India.

The Evolution of IPA:

Hodgson's beer was successful, and he held a monopoly on the market for about 50 years. However, other brewers, such as Bass, soon followed suit, and the beer evolved into something weaker, known as plain pale ale, for the domestic market.

By the early 19th century, "pale ale prepared for the India market" was gaining popularity, with exports and hopping levels increasing. The phrase "India Pale Ale" was first recorded in 1835 in the Liverpool Mercury.

Decline and Revival:

With the advent of refrigeration in the late 19th century, the need for IPAs diminished, and their popularity waned in England by the early 20th century. However, the story of IPA didn't end there. In the 1970s, American craft brewers rediscovered their love for brewing and began recreating forgotten British styles, including IPAs.

The American IPAs were packed with alcohol and hops, and their popularity spread across the Atlantic, eventually reaching Britain, where they gained a new following.

Modern Innovations:

Since its revival, the IPA has continued to evolve, with brewers experimenting with fermentation processes, ingredients, and alcohol content. New styles have emerged, such as West Coast IPAs, East Coast IPAs, Imperial IPAs, and New England IPAs, each offering unique flavour profiles and characteristics.

The IPA has come a long way since its early days as a beer designed to withstand the journey to India, and it continues to be a favourite among craft beer enthusiasts worldwide.

Goose Island Beer Co.'s origins

Goose Island Beer Co. was founded in 1988 by John Hall, a self-proclaimed "unabashed beer lover". Hall was inspired to start brewing after a trip across Europe, where he savoured the different styles and selections of brews in each region. He wanted to bring quality craft beer to America, so he returned to his hometown of Chicago and began brewing.

Goose Island Beer Co. began as a brewpub in the Lincoln Park neighbourhood, named after a nearby island. Hall's English brewing tradition and pub culture influences can be seen in the company's first beers, which included an English-style India Pale Ale.

The company quickly gained popularity, and by 1995, Hall opened a larger brewery and bottling plant to meet demand. This was followed by the opening of a second brewpub in Wrigleyville in 1999. The Wrigleyville location has since closed, but the original Lincoln Park brewpub remains a popular destination, serving brunch, lunch, and dinner alongside their assortment of beers.

In 2006, a stake of the company was sold to Widmer Brothers Brewery, allowing Goose Island to expand into new markets, including distribution across the United States and the United Kingdom. In 2011, the company was acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev, further expanding their reach internationally.

Today, Goose Island Beer Co. continues to innovate and bring fun and quality beer to Chicago and beyond, with brewpubs in Dubai, Toronto, São Paulo, Seoul, and Shanghai. The company has a strong commitment to its community and prides itself on the quality of its beer, using state-of-the-art equipment and a robust Quality Program to ensure consistent excellence.

Awards and recognition

Goose Island Beer Co.'s Goose IPA is a highly acclaimed, award-winning beer. It is a six-time medal winner at the Great American Beer Festival, with its rich golden hue, well-retained head, and harmonious mix of hoppy bitterness and malty sweetness.

Goose IPA has scored impressively across various categories. It boasts a perfect score of 5 for its look, presenting a visually appealing appearance. The aroma is rated 4, with a pleasant blend of citrus and floral notes. Taste-wise, it scores 4.5, delivering a well-balanced flavor profile. The feel of the beer earns a perfect 5, offering a smooth and satisfying mouthfeel. Overall, with a near-perfect score of 4.75, Goose Island IPA stands out as a top-tier IPA, praised for its exceptional quality and drinkability.

Goose Island Beer Co. is based in Illinois, United States, and its IPA is an American classic. The India Pale Ale recalls a time when ales shipped from England to India were highly hopped to preserve their distinct taste. The result is a hop lover's dream with a fruity aroma, a dry malt middle, and a long hop finish.

Goose IPA is the perfect beer for hopheads and discovery drinkers alike, with its bright citrus aromas and bold hop finish. It is dry-hopped with Cascade, adding a piney, resinous finish with assertive yet balanced bitterness.

Taste and appearance

Goose Island Beer Co.'s Goose IPA is a highly acclaimed beer, with a rich golden hue and a well-retained head. It has a fruity aroma, with notes of citrus and florals, and a dry malt middle. The taste is a harmonious mix of hoppy bitterness and malty sweetness, with a smooth and satisfying mouthfeel.

The beer has a strong malt backbone and is relatively balanced, with a long hop finish. It is described as lively, bright, and bold, with a smooth, hoppy, and bold flavour. The appearance is visually appealing, with a deep golden or amber colour and a creamy, white head.

Goose IPA is a perfect introduction to IPAs for those who are just starting to explore craft beer. It is also a good option for those who are not typically fans of IPAs, as it has a light hoppy bitterness and is not too strong. The beer has a clean flavour and is widely distributed and affordable, making it a widely accessible and enjoyable option for many.

Goose Island IPA is an award-winning beer, having medalled six times in the English-style India Pale Ale category at the Great American Beer Festival. It is a top-tier IPA, praised for its exceptional quality and drinkability.

Comparison to other IPAs

The India Pale Ale (IPA) is a hoppy, bitter beer with a strong focus on hops, and the Goose IPA by Goose Island Beer Co. is no exception. With its rich golden hue, fruity aroma, and harmonious mix of hoppy bitterness and malty sweetness, it stands out as a top-tier IPA. But how does it compare to other IPAs in the market?

New England/Hazy IPA

The New England IPA, also known as the Hazy IPA, is the most common type found in breweries, restaurants, and stores. It is known for its juicy, sweet, and less bitter taste, with flavor notes of pineapple, mango, and other bright, sweet flavors. The New England IPA is recommended for craft beer newcomers or those who prefer a less challenging and more approachable brew.

West Coast IPA

The West Coast IPA is another common style, known for its drier and more bitter taste with piney, resin-like flavors. It is created through dry-hopping and a longer boil, resulting in a sharper and more assertive flavor. This style is best suited for those who already have some exposure to IPAs and prefer a drier drink.

Double/Imperial IPA

The Double or Imperial IPA is characterized by its increased alcohol content, typically ranging between 8% and 10% ABV. These beers have a bolder hop profile and a more rounded body. They are usually only available in smaller servings due to their extremely hoppy and bitter flavors.

Session IPA

Session IPAs are on the lighter side, with a more balanced bitterness and an ABV between 4% and 5%. They are designed for enjoying multiple beers in one sitting, making them a good option for casual drinkers or those who want a more approachable IPA experience.

English IPA

English IPAs are less common in America and are considered an older-fashioned style. They are toned-down versions of regular American IPAs, with a fruitier yeast and maltier profile. English hops provide a crisp bite rather than the fruity or piney flavors found in American hops.

Black IPA

Black IPAs, also known as Cascadian Dark Ales, are less common nowadays but feature a dark color resembling a porter or stout. However, they have a more approachable character with a hops-forward profile and a crisp finish. Their taste is similar to an American IPA, but with less body and a higher ABV, typically above 7%.

In conclusion, the Goose IPA by Goose Island Beer Co. holds its own among the diverse range of IPAs available. While each style has its unique characteristics, the common thread is the prominent role of hops, which define the IPA experience, whether it's the fruity notes of a New England IPA or the crisp bite of an English IPA.

Frequently asked questions