From a small brewpub that opened in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood in 1988, to large-scale brewing operations in Chicago and St. Louis, Goose Island Brewing Co. has made a name for itself in the beer market. Following its acquisition by Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) in 2011, the brewer still is crafting a variety of beer with more than 50 styles in its portfolio including expanding on the bourbon barrel aging program that it created close to 25 years ago.
“Goose Island originated and perfected formulating beer in bourbon barrels in 1992,” says Goose Island Brewmaster Jared Jankoski. “It began as a special beer to celebrate the 1,000th brew at Goose Island and was inspired by Greg Hall, son of founder John Hall, who had this wild idea to brew a beer big enough to stand up to a bourbon barrel.”