NEAR WEST SIDE — As part of a move to open the Goose Island Brewery to the public for the first time, the brewers at Fulton and Wood will debut a new taproom this week.
Starting Thursday, the taproom at 1800 W. Fulton St., offering eight Goose Island brews on tap, will be open from 2-8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays.
The bar inside Goose Island Brewery's new taproom. [DNAinfo/Stephanie Lulay]
Stephanie Lulay says Goose Island knew they needed a taproom:
Goose Island Brewery's new taproom features eight brews on tap. [DNAinfo/Stephanie Lulay]
The taproom has been under construction since the fall, but the new bar and tours have been five years in the making, said Ken Stout, consumer experience director at Goose Island.
"To be in the mix and to be relevant, we've got to introduce ourselves to Chicago better than we ever have," Stout said in the fall. "We're the most well-known craft brewery in Chicagoland, but nobody knows we're here."
A nod to Lake Michigan inside Goose Island Brewery's new taproom. [DNAinfo/Stephanie Lulay]
The new taproom includes views of the beer company's production lines. [DNAinfo/Stephanie Lulay]
The taproom will not serve food, but guests are welcome to bring their own, according to the brewery's website.
Before Goose Island was acquired by Anheuser-Busch in a 2011 sale, nearly all Goose Island beers were brewed at the Fulton Street brewery. Today, Goose Island's 312 Urban Wheat Ale, Honker's Ale and some seasonal beers are brewed in Anheuser-Busch facilities in Baldwinsville, N.Y., and Fort Collins, Colo., Stout said.
But most other brews continue to be brewed at Fulton and Wood, including draft-only Green Line, Matilda, Sofie, Oktoberfest, Festivity [formerly Christmas] Ale, the Fulton & Wood series and Bourbon County Stout.
The brewery opened in 1995.
Fulton & Wood Tours
Tickets to the brewery's new tours, which are offered at 3, 4, 5 and 6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Saturdays, are on sale online for $12.
During the 45-minute tour, brew enthusiasts will sample Goose Island beers and visit the brewery's Innovation Room, where small-batch beers are created, the Wild Fermentation Room, Barrel Aging Warehouse, bottling line and other brewery sites.
In addition to samples, tour guests will also leave with a custom made pint glass.
Views inside Goose Island Brewery's new taproom. [DNAinfo/Stephanie Lulay]
A wall inside Goose Island Brewery's new taproom on the Near West Side. [DNAinfo/Stephanie Lulay]
The Goose Island Brewery at Fulton and Wood streets opened in 1995 on the Near West Side. [DNAInfo/Stephanie Lulay]
Goose Island also offers tours at its original Clybourn brewpub location, which opened in 1988.
The Goose Island Brewery is located at Fulton and Wood streets on the Near West Side. [DNAInfo/Stephanie Lulay]
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