Goose Island Thanksgiving Dinner
National Art School
Sydney, Australia
November 10, 2017
Let us start off with the basics for the uninitiated:
Goose Island Brewery is a brewery based in Chicago, Illinois. It started its operations in 1995 and was originally named after a nearby island.
Goose Island produces a number of beers that are available year-round, as well as some beers that are seasonal.
In November 2008, Goose Island made news when its small batch of Bourbon County Stout became available for the first time in Western states.
Fast forward to April 2017 and Goose Island descended on terra australis, hitting the Australian craft beer scene with a bang that still resonates with the connoisseurs of everything oat soda.
The first taste of Goose Island’s emissions came in the form of the Midway IPA: a sessionable 4.1% IPA – an Indian Pale Ale with hop character that could be embraced by all, not just hop aficionados.
“Midway” pays again homage to the windy city as it was inspired by the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893. At the heart of the Expo was the ‘Midway Plaisance’, a mile-long park with games and amusements for everyone. The Midway Session IPA endeavour to capture this spirit with its citrusy hop and a pleasant balancing malt character, low to moderate bitterness and a unique, bright tropical hop aroma derived primarily from Mosaic hops.
The result is very refreshing and enjoyable beer with a great hop aroma that serves as an ideal thirst quencher on a hot day.
To celebrate its first Turkey Day down under, Goose Island was holding an early Thanksgiving dinner at Sydney's National Art School:
A three-course traditional thanksgiving dinner was paired with Goose Island that were carefully matched to the epicurean offerings.
Remarkable were Goose Island’s Foudre Project, a red ale with dark tart cherry notes, caramel, faint hints at vanilla and citric acidity, as well as Madame Rose, a crimson coloured Belgian style brown ale with sour, spice and wood notes, entered a beautiful dialogue with the pumpkin pie and apples crumble that were served as desert.
Unfortunately Goose Island’s Lolita and other limited creations were not proffered on this occasion but word is that there future shenanigans are planned by the creative heads behind from Chi-Town.
---
Photos by KAVV