Hidden Gems

The Goose Island experience: brewery tour and beer primer

Goose Island is a landmass within the Chicago River settled by geese-raising Irish immigrants. It’s also the name of a top-25 craft brewery (50,000 barrels a year) founded in 1988. Recently, Goose Island Brewery reached an agreement to be distributed by Anheuser-Busch. Today, Germany, not Ireland, is the European nation inspiring the brewpub.

Wil Turner, brewery expert, led a recent tour I was on and elaborated on the brewing process still governed by the 1516 Rheinhetsgebot, the German Purity Law which states that beer must contain only four main ingredients: barley malt, hops, yeast and water. Goose Island Brewery features a Bavarian style HefeWeizen named 312 Wheat Ale, and materials for its cherry wood smoked porter are imported from Bamburg, Germany. Seasonal rotation includes the Kilgubbin, Summertime Kolsch (modeled after Cologne, Germany’s specialty), Oktoberfest and Christmas Ale.

Taking a brewery tour is like reading an interview with the pop star Fergie because both feature a highly anticipated, inevitable segment. In the former, it’s the free sampling. In the latter, it’s the discussion of her crystal-meth addicted past. For consumers of both, it’s usually the best part.

Upon convening in the beer learning center, tour attendees sample six recipes which run the entire spectrum of beer color. During the process, the palette goes from light to dark with a contrast as stark as Scarlett Johansson next to Bernie Mac. You start with the Urban 312 and finish with the Smoked Porter.

“Brewing is 80 percent cleaning, 20 percent the fun stuff people associate with my job,” Turner said. “At the end of the day, it’s worth it. I’ve lived all over the world, and the community, the social aspect, is the best thing about beer.”

Also, take time to enjoy the restaurant’s excellent food and the Goose Island Reserve bottled beer. The stronger, more distinct brews feature a Chicago flag with a goose head in place of the third star label.

Tours operate on Sundays at 3 p.m. and 4:30 at 1800 N. Clybourn. A $5 admission fee includes tasting and a commemorative beer stein. Call (312) 915-0071 or log on to www.GooseIsland.com/events for more information.

— Paul M. Banks

Wishbone restaurants

Although the two restaurants are hardly hidden — being located right near Oprah’s studios (1001 W. Washington) and on Lincoln Avenue up north (3300 N. Lincoln), Wishbone is a gem worthy of its spot on the crown of Chicago eateries.

Sit on one of their school-desk-like chairs among the paintings of the bright interior and engage in the age-old sport of people-watching, because at Wishbone, the crowd is often as diverse as the menu. Women in abundant fur coats sit side by side with students, and men in business attire share the air with artsy types and tourists. And tourists, listen up: I know everyone tells you to go to Clarke’s or Ann Sather’s for brunch. Fight the urge to conform. You’ll just end up waiting so long that you might as well order lunch.

Wishbone is more than an eclectic face. The menu lives up to the hype as well. I consider any eatery in which both I and a person of the masculine persuasion can find something to sate our contrasting hungers. To put it simply: They have salads that are neither comprised of limp iceberg lettuce nor covered in fried chicken and bleu cheese. Famous for its “Southern Reconstruction cooking,” Wishbone serves up homestyle classics without the kitsch, focusing on good, simple food.
— Brenna Ehrlich

Minibar/Winebar

Welcome to the land of the fabulously… well, fabulous. The newest addition to the Lakeview boystown club scene is a space named Minibar/Winebar (3341 N. Halsted). Minibar opened just over a year ago, and Winebar just last month. These sibling spaces conjure images of chic hotel lobbies, New York style nightlife and sexy bartenders to boot. And the best part, it’s smoke-free.

The journey begins with an impeccably dressed doorman welcoming you into the space. The room is sleek, stark and perfectly lit. The ambient lighting leads your eyes through a maze of glittering walls and candle-lit sconces. Carrie Bradshaw and friends would have no problem slipping on a pair of Minelo Labanic’s and dropping in to spend an evening here.

Minibar/Winebar is a place to be seen among the coolest cats in town: Well-dressed gentlemen standing around having thoughtful, intelligent conversations about their Sex & the City lifestyles while sipping high-end cocktails out of stellar barware. This 30-something lounge also serves up a wonderful side of acid jazz as the icing on the cake… always understanding that the purpose of the space is not for dancing, but rather connecting with other like-minded cats.

Inviting is the rule, served fresh with an astounding mix of top-shelf liquor, amazing club music and topped off with a greeting from the bar’s owners. The atmosphere is pulsing with energy and welcoming to everyone. For a slower pace, try the weeknights, where the bar feels not quite so packed. In short, call your Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha and plan to spend a great night out at one of Chicago’s hottest nightclubs.
— Jered Pruitt & Matthew Kerns

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