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