Goose Island Bourbon County Stout

Brewed by Goose Island Beer Company
Style: Imperial Stout
Chicago, Illinois USA

12 oz bottle. Trying to remember what this was like, but it was special enough I think I can remember it. Forewarning: I don’t like bourbon. Pours a jet black with a large tan head that lasts. Smells of lots of bourbon (extremely bourbon), and some vanilla (nothing compared to the bourbon). Tastes of straight bourbon, not even like a beer, more like drinking bourbon. It was interesting, as I knew it was a beer, but it was so extreme that I had to think that to drink it all. Surprisingly smooth though. A beer to have, definitely

Appearance...It’s a goddam Imperial stout. Clarity? who gives a shit? Black?...check. Long-lasting tan head?...check. Aroma...Clean bourbon oak. Lots of vanilla, but nothing is really over-the-top...and I mean that in a positive light. Ever so light presence of the soy-like autolysis, but actually not offensive. There is some dark fruit, but it’s in the background. The chocolate is nice and there is no roast to speak of. Flavor...This is all about balance. There is really nothing out of place at all. just oh-so-smooth chocolate, vanilla and bourbon in nice tight package. Palate...Does a beer of this strength get much smoother. Rich creamy body, but never cloying. Just beautiful. O.I. ..... Quite simply, the finest execution of a 12%+ beer that I have had. Just so smooth and drinkable. Everything in balance, and nothing making my jaw hurt or making me hold back from taking a good haul. If I can’t take a good haul...there’s something wrong. I just wish I could re-rate all of my other 1002 ratings to be in-line with a beer this good.

APPEARANCE: Pours a obsidian black color with a medium brown head that dissipates a slowly. Not much lacing. SMELL: Bourbon, oak, chocolate, molasses. Hints of leather. TASTE: Wow, that is an intense beer! Bourbon, molasses, caramel. Definitely on the sweet side but has a slight alcohol burn. Finishes with a slight smoky flavor MOUTHFEEL FULL body beer with a syrupy texture. Light fizzy carbonation. DRINKABILITY: This is a sipping beer. I split a 12 ounce beer with a friend and that was plenty. I would probably give this beer a C based on drinkability but you have to give it an A for complexity and uniqueness. NOTES: BBCSD-0812-Geoff

Pours almost black with almost no head. The nose of toffee, vanilla, bourbon and some smoke. Comes across the palate as vanilla, coffee, dark fruit sweetness and bourbon balance; that also has a mild coffee lingering after taste. Very thick much like a traditional stout. Very good!

Pours from bottle black with virtually no head. Smell of toffee and bourbon. Flavour of bourbon (obviously), oak, some nuttyness, earthy. Slightly sweet, very full. You definatly notice the high Alchohol content, which is to be expected. Very good. Will keep stocked up in the fridge!

Rating #800! Bottle thanks to ucusty (thanks, Dave!). Beautiful black pour with thick tan head. Big nose of chocolate, nuts, roast, vanilla, and of course huge oaky bourbon. First few sips didn’t show the booze, but it came through after. This seems like more a beer to share than to drink by oneself. Probably would have rated higher if sampled in a tasting. Still, pretty damn good.

2008 bottle:
Pours black with a small head. Complex aroma of toffee, vanilla, bourbon and some smoke. Sweet and thick mouth feel. flavour is bourbon, toffee and liquorice. Long warming finish where the alcohol flavour shows up, but in a positive way. Usually I don’t like bourbon, but this is a wonderful beer.

2007 Bottle. Pours an oil black with a small brown head and some slight lacing. Aroma is burnt oatmeal, bourbon, smoke, coffee grounds and prunes. Taste starts with tamari soy, coffee and finshes with dry cocoa powder and some alcohol warmth. Pretty nice.