Goose Island India Pale Ale from Chicago

Last week I jacked in a job I've been in for a couple of years, and the old boss stumped up for a hefty bar tab at a venue of my choice. Eschewing the soul destroying chrome and glass wine bars of the City, I opted for one of my locals, The Crown Tavern on Clerkenwell Green. I wrote about the pub and its great beer selection in the first post on this blog.

At the beginning of the night, we ordered a selection of beers for the table (as well as copious amounts of champagne for the girls and the girly-boys). The likes of Poperings Hommel Bier from Belgium, Herold Black Lager from Czech Republic and Anchor Liberty Ale from San Francisco all drew praise from folks who hadn't tried them before. In fact, until unrepentent lager drinker Dryz rocked up and smashed a nasty Carling, there wasn't a pint of swill to be seen.

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After tucking into rare and interesting bottles like kids in a sweetshop, the beer of choice was Goose Island India Pale Ale from Chicago. Seeing as I had just finished a stint with a US employer (and they were paying for the drinks), it would have been rude not to have opted for an American craft beer. Although it's relatively strong by UK standards (5.9% abv), this bottle conditioned ale is the perfect beer for a party. The first thing you'll notice is the brisk burst of citrus hops, with a restrained pine presence and lots of vibrant fruit flavours. Rather than being a pure, unadulterated hop monster like so many US IPAs, there's a malt balance which makes this a truly great beer.

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As the night went on, extra supplies of Goose Island IPA had to be brought up from the cellar. We must have drunk them dry of the stuff by closing time, when I finished off with a Fullers 2004 Vintage Ale. The night ended in a mess in Dust on Clerkenwell Road, and rumour has it the Long Armed Goon didn't even make it home that night (at least, not to his own). After such a good send off, I'm contemplating asking for my job back just so I can quit again.

Information:

1. The Crown Tavern is at 43 Clerkenwell Green, London, EC1R 0EG (Tel: 020 7253 4973). A great party venue - you can reserve an area for free and keep the drinks flowing.
2. Goose Island have two brewpubs in Chicago. The first opened in 1988. They have a website here. Their beers aren't available in supermarkets over here, although doubtless you will find them in speciality beer stores such as Utobeer on Borough Market. If anyone knows of somewhere selling Goose Island beers in London, please leave a comment below. Cheers.