Beer: Goose Island Bourbon County Stout
Brewery Location: Chicago, IL
Beer Style: American Imperial Stout
Serving Style: bottle
ABV: 11%
I always associate Goose Island with the Chicago Cubs. When I go to games at Wrigley Field I usually stop by Goose Island before the game for a pint or two (it helps with what I know will happen at the end of the season). I've never had this beer before, but have heard so many good things about it. I have not tried this yet though because I am cheap. I have no problem dropping ten or more dollars on a bomber of beer, but I won't pay half of that for a 12 oz beer for some reason. This is five bucks per bottle. There is no reason to be like that, but in my mind I can somehow justify spending more on a bomber.
Pours an opaque black with no highlights around the edges. A small swirl of mocha colored head dissipated right before my eyes immediately after the pour, and it left minimal lacing on the walls of my glass. I can smell this as I pour it. The bottle states this beer was aged for 100 days in whiskey barrels, and that fact isn't missed getting my nose into this. My first smell is bourbon and charred wood. I also get huge scents of roasted barley, burnt caramel, and sweet vanilla. Glorious! I could keep my nose in this beer for another hour, but I can't wait to taste this beer. The flavor profile on this beer is so amazingly complex. Bourbon tends to be quite harsh, but the bourbon flavor on this beer is in no way harsh. It is as smooth as some of the finer triple distilled Irish whiskeys, but with the bolder American bourbon flavor. Dark cherries and rum soaked plums mingle with chocolate, sorghum, and bitter coffee. All of the flavors coexist extremely well and no one flavor dominates any other. The mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, but there is a good shot of warming alcohol on the mouth as well. The ABV is a high on this, so the drinkability is more of a sipper and would be most enjoyed in moderation.
I really loved this beer. I haven't been this happy with a beer since I last had some Yulesmith. I am going to need to pick up some more of this and put some age on this beer, but the way this tasted I don't know if I will be able to let this age very long before I will want to drink it. I will warm you though that if you don't like the smell or flavor of bourbon I would suggest not trying this beer, but if you like those scents and flavors this is well worth the five dollars a bottle.
Cheers!
Matt
10 comments:
I've been so impressed with the Goose Island Pere Jacques that I'm really eager to try this stout. Where'd you buy it?
Party Pak had a ton of it when I was there last weekend. They also have another seasonal offering from GI called their Imperial IPA.
This is one of the most complex beers I've ever tasted and I completely agree that it's delicious. Certainly has quite a bit of bourbon up front but man, there are a lot of flavors bouncing around the back end.
Like you said, it's just so hard to plunk down $5 for one little bottle (or $20 for 4 in my case). I've got 2 each of this and their Imperial IPA that I'm desperately trying to age. I had three of the Bourbon County until last week when I cracked and had one! If Party Pak still has it, I may go grab some more.
I like this beer a lot. It's nice that Goose Island didn't put this in a bomber, because it'd be pretty damned difficult to do 22 ounces of a beer this big. It's a great cold weather brew.
Also, corrnd, I wouldn't try aging the Imperial IPA. I did that last year, and thought that the quality suffered tremendously. It really loses a lot of hop quality with age. I love it fresh, though.
Thanks for the tip joe. Maybe I'll crack one this weekend. Or maybe I'll save it for Super Bowl Sunday. One during the game and one when the Patriots lose...
I just bought some of this based on your recommendation and I have to say that I love it!
I didn't think I would like those flavors as I am just getting into craft beer right now (with a little help from you and HBG's) and it really wowed me.
I just been trying new things as they come into Party Pak or John's down the street. Thanks for the recommendation!
(oh, and Party Pak sells this for 5.29 a bottle or 19.99 for a 4 pack)
Thanks, Matt. I'll have to make a trip down to Greenwood today to pick some up.
Didn't make it down to Greenwood. Ended up at Kahn's instead and passed on purchasing because it was $20.00 for a four pack. A bit too steep for my taste. Went with a six of Hopslam instead.
It is a little pricey, but it is far an above over most of the competition so I don't mind spending it as a treat for myself.
I am definitely going to have to try this, I bet it ahould be pretty easy to find in Chicago.
Ps I linked you, like the blog. I really did not steal your format from you, swear!
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