Once again, we’re editorializing about beer. This week, it’s Goose Island’s choice to outsource 312 to a big old Anheuser-Busch brewery in upstate New York.

Well, we can’t say we didn’t see this one coming. When Goose announced it was Honker’s Ale and their India Pale Ale to New Hampshire earlier this year, it seemed like more was on the way.

We understand why they did it. The company needed to make more beer because we want to drink it so badly. 312’s not a hard beer to make (relatively speaking) and the move will free up more space for them to brew more interesting beers locally, where they can be nurtured. Hello, Bourbon County Stout.

Nevertheless, this one stings. It stings pretty bad. We Chicagoans are a prideful bunch, and we don’t like it when one of our local treasures is taken from us. Especially one with our area code on it.