Tuesday 24th January 2017
There’s a new bar, like no other in Balham. Goose Island, the big boys of brewing in Chicago, have opened their very first American craft beer bar and restaurant in the UK.
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| The new Goose Island Ale House and the beer dinner menu for the evening |
The evening began with a delicious beer mimosa, mixed with
orange juice, orange liquor and Sofie (the Goose Island beer). Served in a
champagne glass and delivered by friendly waiting staff (who were happy to
offer you a second), this was a great way to start! My companion and I were
shown to our table, where instantly pored over the offerings on the menu with
the other like-minded guests.
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| The delicious beer mimosas and the beers available on tap on the bar. |
First course was a meat platter, a selection of finely-sliced
meats, with beautiful pickled vegetables, homemade crackers, breads and a very strong
(knock your socks off) mustard, all quickly devoured by a hungry crowd. This
was followed by smoked short rib & blue cheese croquettes, with a black
aioli (black from squid ink), perfectly matched with the Goose Island Winter
Ale (dark and malty with a traditional English feel).
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| A board of finely-sliced meats and the smoked short rib & blue cheese croquettes, with a black aioli. |
Our third course was roasted cod, Sicilian fregola with
cockles and langoustine, paired expertly with another Sofie. Next came Porter
and molasses glazed beef cheeks, paired with the Goose Island Matilda. As Goose Island don't brew a porter, they have used a local brew from Belleville Brewing in this dish. They wanted to use a local brewery to bring that community feel into the bar, they do also stock this porter and are looking to stock more local brews in the future. Next came a taste sensation of buttermilk pancakes, cured bacon, maple syrup, paired with
the Goose Island IPA (their top selling core beer).
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| Roasted cod, Sicilian fregola with cockles and langoustine, paired with the Sofie. Porter and molasses glazed beef cheeks, paired with the Goose Island Matilda. |
With bellies already bulging, we braced ourselves for
another two courses! First was a Manuka honey & goats milk panna cotta with
ginger honeycomb, paired with Halia, a delightfully peachy beer. Wow – the
honeycomb and beer together was definitely the best match of the night, as it intensified the peach flavor in the beer.
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| Buttermilk pancakes, cured bacon and maple syrup and the Manuka honey & goats milk panna cotta with ginger honeycomb, paired with Halia. |
We were
then treated to the rare, (highly sought-after in the beer world) Bourbon
County coffee stout. It really packs a punch with sweet, treacle and chocolate
notes and a strong coffee flavour; it’s also 12.6%abv, so be careful if ordering
a whole bottle. Here's the story behind this stout, to why it’s so rare and
delicious, especially if you like your bourbons too.
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| The Bourbon County coffee stout with chocolate truffles and me with Ken and John, the main men from Goose Island. |
The new UK Goose island team ensured the evening was a huge
success, with tasting notes accompanying each course and explanations as to why
the food had been picked and matched with the beers. What a great night!
The Goose Island Ale House is a fantastic
addition to Balham. I’m happy to say it’s on my doorstep and will be back for
more beer dinners very soon! Can't wait for the next one!
Goose Island Ale house
3 Ramsden Road
Balham
SW12 8QY
Opening Hours
10:00 – 23:00: Monday to Thursday
10:00 – 24:00: Friday and Saturday
10:00 – 22:00: Sunday
5 out of 5 pints
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