Goose Island Clybourn

Dogbrick

Ohio

4.45/5  rDev +7.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$$

(Visited 10/2011): Goose Island's Clybourn location is off Clybourn and North Sheffield on the north side. Parking consists of metered street parking and a space in the shopping center directly across the street. Binny's is right there too (although I didn't have time to stop there).

The interior is spacious and modern looking with the bar area immediately inside. Restaurant seating elsewhere, and a cool "HOPS" sign made out of incandescent bulbs. Brick archways leading to an indoor patio. The brewing equipment is viewable through a window near the door.

Goose Island has 12 or so of their brews on tap, including many seasonals and special brews. On my visit some of the options included Red Felt Ale, Peach Pundit, Candice (Farmers Market Series), Honest Stout and Uncle Dunkel. All of the beers are above average and enjoyable. Samplers are available as well.

Service on a weekday for an early lunch (they literally had just opened) was good. Both my server and the bartender were friendly and well-versed in the available beers.

Lunch was solid too. My sandwich and fries were very tasty.

Overall this spot is one of the can't miss places to visit in downtown Chicago, and I will definitely try to get there again on future visits.

01-03-2012 01:15:02 | More by Dogbrick

cps98

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

We were able to walk right in, sit down at the bar on a Friday night at 8:00. I couldn’t believe it. The place was really clean and had a very upscale feel. Our Server was amazing. Quick to bring the beer list and menus then get our first drink order in. Had a cask conditioned Goose Feathers which was really nice. Food order came out in a timely manner…all hot food was still hot. Our second round of drinks was next with recommendations from the server which paired nicely with our meals. Overall a great experience with good food and drink. Polite and quick service was really appreciated. I would definitely go back and recommend to others.

11-15-2011 14:44:29 | More by cps98

JohnnyChicago

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +7.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

I've been to the Clybourn location many times and I've never been disappointed. I haven't been to the Wrigleyville one in a while, but I remember it being not quite as good.

The place is usually pretty packed by the time it gets dark, but not so packed that you're unable to find a seat. Nice, open bar/restaurant setup that's dimly lit and very pretty. It is very roomy and accommodating.

The staff is attentive and usually pretty knowledgeable about the offerings - not just the year-round stuff, but even one-off brews and seasonal dishes. I've chatted up the waitresses and they are usually willing to let you take glasses or 'drink on location' bottles home. Some may see this as wrong, but this kind of action is what brings people back to places and entices us to spend our coin regularly.

They have events and fests and music and stuff here pretty often and they really keep on top of their twitter and facebook, updating the menu frequently.

Food is above-average and focuses on trendy and seasonal stuff. The menu changes pretty frequently, which I like to see.

The beer selection is absolutely stellar. They always have a great number of options, including lots of one-offs or non-distributed brews, cask ales, and plenty of styles to choose from. They even have guest taps which are usually well chosen. I really can't think of any way to improve the beer system they've got going on.

Prices are about average for Chi-town, with food being slightly on the expensive side.

Overall, GI is one of the great American brewpubs. They've had time to get their act together and they really can provide a great drinking experience. Hell, there is even a liquor store across the street if you feel like buying anything you've drunk. Great brewpub and something I miss every time I'm forced to leave the city.

11-10-2011 15:37:07 | More by JohnnyChicago

DCon

Missouri

3.84/5  rDev -7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Came here with 5 other friends from St. Louis, MO for the Brewery Tour! I've been to the Goose Island location in Wrigleyville, so I was very interested in checking this one out! Here it goes!

While walking from Lincoln Park, this place was fairly close walking distance from anywhere! Walking in, we received our wristbands, went to the bar, and ordered drinks all around. Everyone purchased different brews so we could all try new ones. I enjoyed Goose Feathers and the FairytAle (Pumpkin) while others went for similar brews that were lighter in style. The brewpub was PACKED this day (Saturday) and had a fun vibe to it. But this wasn't why we were here! The tour actually started in the brew kettle room (visible from all around the place) and then ended in their banquet room right next to the side door to the place. The tour was about average but the tasting was fantastic enjoying 6 beers altogether! I suggest coming here for this!

Everything served in Pint glasses, wish they could mix it up with each style... You could also order an 8oz glass of each brew.

Service was great but a bit slow... We had troubles with this at the other location. Not a problem but VERY noticeable. Need to improve here.

Can't beat the selection! I took home a Growler of their Dunkel Weizenbock and a 650mL of the Lolita. Both were great and definitely couldn't have been purchased anywhere else (Clybourn Released only!).

For only $10 to take a tour, I suggest this and enjoying as many new and different brews as you can here! Great job Goose Island. Keep up the good work.

11-03-2011 21:46:04 | More by DCon

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

3.2/5  rDev -22.5%
vibe: 3 | quality: 2.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4 | $$

A: Relatively full restaurant, but not a lot going on. Most patrons fit around the bar.

Q: Food was good, as was most of the beer, but one that we ordered was flat and warm. Either it was an old beer laying around they served to save on costs, or the keg was out. No matter what it was, it was gross.

S: Waitress was very pleasant and accommodating. Told me they were out of a beer I asked for at first, until I saw someone else order one and had to ask her about it, to which she relented. Was a little annoying.

S: Good selection of food and lots of beers, even some other brewery offerings. Always good to see.

F: Pork sliders were awesome. Pretzels were a little cold, but still tasted great.

We went in around 4 PM, it may have been more appealing in the evening, but it was still nice. I wouldn't mind going back again.

10-17-2011 01:42:28 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

htomsirveaux

Texas

3.88/5  rDev -6.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$$

Stopped on here by myself for dinner on 28 Sep 2011.

Note: I paid for off street parking before I realized there is a parking lot for customers. This is also near one of the slightly confusing areas of Chicago where three streets intersect and one street sign has two names, one above the other, pointing in the same direction, and it isn't immediately clear which street is which.

The bar is to the left of the hostess table as you walk in. Exposed brick and dark wood walls. A large bar dominates the center of the room. Tables and benches along the walls. Seating for maybe 25 at the bar. A slightly sunken dining room is off the bar to the right as well as a private room to the left. Wooden chairs and tables. Only complaint about decor is the floor which has tiles reminiscent of a fast food restaurant.

Menu is heavy on the sandwiches. At least, that's what I was looking at and remember, there was a second section I paid no attention to. I got the steak sandwich w German potato salad. Potato salad was just ok, potatoes slightly under done, a little on the cool side, and would gave preferred a little more bite. The sandwich was better, hangar steak with chimmichurri sauce and grilled peppers. A slightly more crispy/ toasty ciabatta roll would have been my only request for improvement.

Music seems tailored for my demographic, mainstream early middle age moderately successful white guy at a volume where a conversation could be held. Think Radiohead, Sting, Foo Fighters and Peter Gabriel.

Overall, decent beer and decent food at an ok price, $33 for dinner and three beers.

09-29-2011 02:38:46 | More by htomsirveaux

Pete0714

Indiana

4.65/5  rDev +12.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Came here on the 16th of Sept on a trip to Chicago. I was not sure what to expect, but I will say this place exceeded all expectations for a brewpub. The atmosphere was dark but warm and welcoming. My wife and I and my son were all treated with equal consideration (and I am the only beer drinker- they have fabulous soda pop too!). Our server was friendly and prompt, never pushy or impatient, while always checking on us, even when things got busier. All the other staff were very pleasant and helpful as well. Food was as good as the excellent beers. All this for a very clearly stated and reasonable price range. I would not hesitate to come back again the next time I am in the area.

09-24-2011 01:22:58 | More by Pete0714

AleWatcher

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -15.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 1.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$$$

Went here on Saturday afternoon and stayed through most of the evening.
We sat in the private back section as we were with a party... The place is huge. The beer is, well, it's Goose, so let's pretend I have tried all their distributed beers-- and yet there were more than enough beers to try that I hadn't ever heard of before.

The food was good, but a bit pricey.
The beer was good, but I hate only having the option of a 20 oz imperial pint-- I'd love a 1/2 pint glass available.

The interior was upscale, modern, laid-back classy (if that makes any sense?!). It looks nice enough that I'm not surprised to see men in shirts and ties... But is relaxed enough that I'm not surprised to see guys in Cubs shirts either....
A perfect place to take a date or grab a beer with a buddy after work.

The waitresses were slow and unhelpful though, so you're better off hitting up the bartender.

09-05-2011 16:35:25 | More by AleWatcher

DoubleSimcoe

New York

4.47/5  rDev +8.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 3.5 | $$$

--- Revisiting the Goose---

On my own this time, still amazed at the sheer variety of weird brews here. Some 25 taps organized in styles (Belgian, Cask, Chef, Farmer's Market, Session, Malty, Hoppy, Sour).

I wanted a Cherry Blossom Barleywine (Farmer's Market Series) but they were out so I settled for the similar Broad Shoulders. Also had a Shakar American Nitro Porter. And wanted to try Liquid Inspiration, a 7.5% stout, but it was too much booze.

Tried food this time, had a pair of pork sliders that were soooo delicious but pricey at $4 each ($8 for the plate). And served with straight-raw hot peppers on the side who's gonna eat those?? Fries with a side of truffle aioli came out fast and hot but were limp and just not exciting. They should have been a side for the sliders. For the price, food was not worth, even though it is fancier than your average brewpub.

Let me add that the pub was SUPER hot for some reason. No A/C or something, no fans. We were all sweating. Great service and pricey beers as usual . Always a good stop for one-off brews, though!

---

I loved Goose Island Clybourn! My wife and I stopped there after eating at the nearby Alinea restaurant (the best restaurant in the US right now). Brewpub is cozy, with all the wood and the beer tanks around.

We sat at the bar and had a sample of five of their beers and some single pints. I was surprised at how many unique brews they had- stuff brewed with local chefs, a pale ale for the World Cup, some rye beers... cool weird stuff.

Of course I had to have the Bourbon County Stout- Goose Island's best beer ever.

Atmosphere was great, felt like a local hangout, a place I would stop by often if I lived nearby. Didn't try food. Prices were a bit steep, even for a big city like Chicago ($10 for the Bourbon County snifter!), but worth for a one-time visit to this classic of American craft brewing.

Can't wait to go back!

09-01-2011 21:22:57 | More by DoubleSimcoe

cratez

Ontario (Canada)

4.33/5  rDev +4.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Came here with my girl while visiting Chicago.

VIBE: inside has a family-style restaurant feel to it, the host greeted us by the retail store/front entrance and sat us in the dining area below the bar. Really casual and comfortable vibe with adequate spacing between tables (privacy) and various types of seating (booths, two-seaters, group tables). Nice crowd that minds their own business. No complaints here.

SERVICE: our waitress was pleasant and efficient. She wasn't particularly enthusiastic about the beers or food on offer, but she left us alone while we ate and ensured that our glasses were always full. She also brought me free samples when I couldn't decide between two beers. Solid.

SELECTION: the beer menu sports a great mix of hoppy, Belgian-style, and experimental ales. In addition to the brews that I went for, the Electric Apricot IPA (Farmers Market Series), Barrel Aged Smoked Goose, Green Line APA, and Madame Rose Sour Ale caught my attention. I ordered the Summer Camp IPA (cask) and Matilda (draught), both of which were awesome. My girlfriend was quite satisfied with her cocktail and wine.

FOOD: tried my first ever bánh mì and paired it with the soup of the day; the lady had the asparagus mac & cheese. Although the soup and macaroni were a touch too salty, everything was tasty, well-presented, and enjoyable, and on the whole the food seems to be a cut above your typical brewpub fare.

OVERALL: we had an excellent time at Goose Island. This place doesn't possess the extensive bottle lists of Haymarket, Piece, and Revolution; however, it compensates with a huge variety of house draughts, two cask ales, and a small range of its own bombers. Combine that with the accessible atmosphere and impressive cuisine, and you've got yourself a winner. Recommended.

08-15-2011 21:28:02 | More by cratez