Goose Island Brewmaster Apologizes for Peeing in Cup

By Chuck Sudo in News on Apr 12, 2011 2:30PM

Just as the emotions and brouhaha over InBev/Anheuser Busch's purchase of Goose Island subsides comes news that does not paint outgoing brewmaster Greg Hall in a good light and may bring about a new firestorm. Hall apologized for urinating into two beer glasses while standing at the bar of Wicker Park hotspot Bangers & Lace.

Bartender Matty Eggleston said he saw Hall leaning forward and looking down, and jokingly noted to another bartender it looked as though Hall was having a, um, pensive moment. Then Eggleston said he heard Hall tell others in his party not to drink from the glasses he just handled. Eggleston put his fingers to one glass and, in the money quote from the Tribune, "it was warm enough to know it wasn’t Honker’s Ale."

Hall said he doesn't remember the details of the incident, citing overconsumption, but he's been working overtime since then to show contrition. Hall has called Bangers & Lace to apologize, had Goose Island send over a case of its Big John stout and apologized personally to Eggleston via a Facebook message. Eggleston did not accept the apology, saying the incident was "pure insult."