Goose Island Bourbon County Stout

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

Tasted blind at Sk8vikings amazing Porter/Stout tasting - Black body, big creamy head, some laces; Huge sweet alcohol powering nose, flowery sweet, Bourbon barrel, with some time the oak becomes balanced, unfortunately the alcohol and sharpness of the Bourbon (Bourbon is a terrible Whiskey anyway, why ruin you beer with such a barrel) overshadows the depth and complexity, sweet oxidized notes as well; Huge very, very sweet alcohol like body; into medium long finish with lots of fresh wood and again alcohol (or maybe the sharpness of the Bourbon) that overpowers everything else.

2006 12 oz bottle from discount liqour in Milwaukee. Opaque black color with very thin burnt red/brown head that I had to beg to come out, but it was oh so beautiful when it did. Fantastic smoky bourbon aroma, with sweet malt, caramel, dark chocolate, darklord in quality. Flavor is roasted malt, vanilla bourbon, the darkent belgian chocolate, some fruit, like cherries, alc is there but not overpowering. Full body, no carb, maybe a little syrup. Overall an amazing brew that knocks down most impys out there. So good!!

Beer pours jet black with a nice big, dark tan colored head tinged with red, what unfortunately totally dissipates. Maybe the high abv does this? Aroma is really big and pretty complex. Lots going on here, big notes of bourbon, vanilla, wood, a bit of roastiness as well. Flavor is also big, though a bit strong on the bourbon with wet wood, dark chocolate. Finish is a bit burning hot alcohol. I think this could really benefit from the cellar. But I really like it now as well.

Bottle. The aroma is of some slightly sour dark fruit, hard alcohol, and oak. The flavor is a mix of the above. Pretty good overall, with a thick and powerful mouthfeel.

12oz 2007 bottle courtesy of Rogueone sampled at the Hopsnobbery Collective stout tasting on 1.16.09. Had this one once before and it tasted like it could sit a little while longer to calm down. Pours black with no head. Boozy aroma with dark fruit and some chocolate. Bourbony sweet flavor with coffee and chocolate. Powerful beer, but not quite as harsh as the first time I had it. Excellent brew.

Tons of vanilla in the aroma. Coconut as well. Bourbon, alcohol. A really well done bourbon aged stout.

I know this one comes highly recommended but it didn’t blow me away as much as other stoudts I’ve had. Still big roasted malt aroma. Getting some apple, grape, rasin aromas as well. Creamy slightly alcoholic taste that detracts a bit. Roast coffee comes through as the alcohol dissipates. Leaves a sticky sweet residue on the lips as it finishes.

From a 12oz Bottle. Pitch black, viscous oil slick of a pour with a thin layer of quickly dissipating roasted brown head. A vigorous swirl brings some head back to life. Dark fruity characters of rich prune and raisin pour out the top of my snifter glass, backed by a bold, yet balanced, oaky caramel bourbon character. Some dark chocolatey fudge, soy dipped freshly baked pretzel, and a splash of vanilla also add some delicious complexity to this exquisite bouquet. Full bodied, chewy mouthfeel with a silky soft chocolatey texture. The flavors start out with a decadent serving of dark chocolate fondue, drizzled with a rich, creamy caramel glaze. Notes of prune and raisin add a glorious, yet subtle fruity malt character. As the fruits rest lazily on the palate, a warming wave of caramel vanilla bourbon notes begin to take over on the tongue, along with a bit of saltiness. Before the alcohol notes begin to get too strong and unwelcome, they let off, slowly fading into the background to reveal some drier, chocolate roast coffee flavors that have been waiting patiently in the background. A hint of anise is left lingering in the final smack. The flavors of this beer are delcious, but incredibly overpowering, so much that a 12oz bottle is a tall order to consume by myself. If this beer came in a nip bottle, my rating would be even slightly higher for a slightly easier drinkability. Intense and over the top, but a sinfully delicious after dinner treat all the same. Thanks, Dillon!