New ‘Dibs’ Beer Stirs Up Chicago’s Debate Over Controversial Winter Practice

In another move to further bolster Goose Island Beer Co. as a Chicago brand, and perhaps divert attention from the fact that it’s also an asset controlled by the multinational parent of Budweiser, Goose has unveiled a beer honoring a controversial Chicago winter tradition. A new porter, called Dibs, comes in two different cans: There’s light blue “Anti Dibs” and orange “Pro Dibs” allowing customers to pick a side. The beer, which will be restricted to a local release, celebrates dibs, the practice of digging out a snow-covered street side parking space in the winter and claiming the space by leaving lawn chairs, brooms, or other objects. These objects prevent other drivers from parking in an empty space.

Dibs is a unique Chicago tradition and neighbors have argued through the years about the practice’s validity. Some feel the work in shoveling snow should be rewarded with a reserved space, preferably located right in front of their house. Others feel that no one should be able to colonize public property and they’re all too happy to remove the items left in the spaces and park their cars.

Forbes reported that Goose crowded sourced the idea for the beer via social media. The brewery’s staff imagines drinkers sipping on the beer while snow shoveling. The 6.5-percent ABV beer is exclusively available at the brewery’s Fulton Market taproom. The taproom will host a release party from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday at 1800 W. Fulton. They’ll have “special guests” on hand to debate the controversial topic.

Goose Island’s marketing department has been busy of late. They drew a lot of national attention earlier this month with its Cody Parkey field goal challenge.