Bourbon County Brand Stout - Goose Island Beer Co.

zeledonia

Minnesota

4.72/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is the first "beer review" I ever wrote, though it's not the first one I posted here. I enjoyed this beer so much, I felt compelled to write down my opinions on it. Took a while before I started putting my reviews on BA. Had on-tap at the Blue Nile during their stout and porter fest, October 2009.

2009 vintage. This is one hell of a beer. Syrupy mouthfeel, one of the thickest beers I've ever had. A real kick from the whiskey flavor and the alcohol (13%), that makes it very much a sipping beer. But the smell is fantastic and the flavors are incredible, with the bourbon blending pleasantly into the strong stout roasted barley flavor, and lots of molasses & vanilla. I've brewed and consumed quite a few whiskeyed beers, and none of them have been nearly as smooth and balanced as this one. Just really good (but best in small quantities - a 12 oz. pour was too much for me).

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2011 22:03:35 | More by zeledonia

bertram

Illinois

4.85/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Found on tap, this stout pours thick, almost black with a thin tan head. The aroma of bourbon is evident from the moment the glass nears the nose. The bourbon-barrel aging is again evident in the taste - a powerful, bordering on overpowering (in a good way) bourbon flavor is laced through each sip. Overall a stellar stout made for sipping and enjoying that pairs excellently with a big, juicy steak.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2011 06:38:20 | More by bertram

DNICE555

Connecticut

4.78/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

On tap at the lazy boy saloon with R Moe Nay on our bourbon county rare racer x diccicio's NY trip.

A - Same as in the bottle... with an even bigger Jimmy Neutron head. Jet black body with a dark tan head. Looks like perfection.

S - Chocolate, malt, booze, coffee. If I walked into a room and found Christina Ricci and Katy Perry fiddling... I would expect it to smell like this. Absolutely heavenly.

T - Big bourbon sweetness. Chocolate, Caramel, a smoky finish to it. I didn't find the tap version nearly as hot as the bottle. This stuff is a

M - Very rich and full bodied. Creamy would be an understatement. Might be the thickest bodied beer I've come across so far on tap.

D - For a 13 percent beer not bad. Def a sipper. Much more drinkable on tap than in the bottle.

Had the ’08 on tap on 4/16/2011 Rattle N Hum in NY. So excited to get to try this one on tap with over 3 years age on it. It is amazing. Def gets better with age. Even smoother, richer, and creamier than the fresh version. What a treat.

Serving type: on-tap

01-26-2011 20:04:45 | More by DNICE555

sacrelicio

Minnesota

4.55/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 3

Wow, just, wow. Amazing beer.

Pure black with a reddish brown head.

Very strong bourbon and oak in the smell smell, with a little coffee and chocolate.

So sweet and rich, with bourbon highlights.

Mouthfeel is full and creamy. Not particularly carbonated, but so slick and velvety and smooth. Drinkability is my only complaint. While I can drink it easily, many could not.

Overall, a magnificent beer. One of the best. World Class stout.

Serving type: on-tap

01-05-2011 05:13:03 | More by sacrelicio

BretSikkink

Mexico

4.4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Big ass black stout served in a smallish goblet with a tan head. No much in the way of lacing. If looks could kill...

Strong and powerful aromas, mostly sweet with some roasted notes. Caramelized brown sugar with vanilla bean meets blackstrap molasses barley, topped off with a shot of sour mash.

Sure, plenty of bourbon comes through the flavor, delivered by the inky thick body. The mix of sweetness and alcohol is very apparent and knocks you on the head off the bat. Chocolate fudge with vanilla icing flavors come through the middle, with an aftertaste of oak and the char of an open fire. Hugely malty with a very sweet and chewy finish.

BCS is a damn fine beer, and for the size and overall character, quite drinkable. Don't expect to pound it all night, though - frankly, it would be a waste.

Serving type: on-tap

12-22-2010 16:36:59 | More by BretSikkink

Neffbeer

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From notes 12/17:

A: Ink black color with a small head. There is little to no retention and zero lacing.

S: Things start to get better real fast. Bourbon woodiness, with heaps of chocolate and dark toffee bread. It is quite the booze bomb, but the roasty quality of the brew really kicks in to pull it out in the end. Smells great.

T: Crushing wave of bourbon, wood, dark roast, chocolate, hint of vanilla (phantom). It is as boozy as the nose suggests, but it manages to push through the considerable heft with a malty goodness.

M: Slick and full bodied. This is a sipper for sure.

D: One is enough. Great beer that is extremely satisfying.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2010 16:24:20 | More by Neffbeer

lhaqq

California

4.65/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Near-black body with golden, dark-tan head, with not much lacing.

S: Almost like opening a bottle of port. Really candy-store sweet up front, overwhelms everything else.

T: The bourbon sweetness dominates the flavor. Turns into rich caramel and chocolate, with a slightly smoky, bittersweet chocolate finish.

M: Heavy and syrupy.

D: Couldn't have more than a couple of these, but they're delicious.

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2010 21:48:18 | More by lhaqq

rootbeerman

Virginia

4.97/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

To start I can't belive im getting to try this. Had at blind tiger nyc.
arrived in a snift/tulip. With a thin dark brown head. Body is black.
Smell is strong bourbon and sweet malt. Amazing toffee/caramel taste is very similar and lingers a long time. Very sweet malt that sticks around but isn't too sweet. Almost reminds me me of an oatmeal/milk stout.
This is creepily drinkable and yet also sippable. Alcohol is noticeable taste wise but not smell. Overall best bourbon stout I've had in a long while

Serving type: on-tap

12-11-2010 00:26:48 | More by rootbeerman

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.73/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On draft at Churchkey in D.C.

I decided to re-review this beer upon having it on draft and in the bottle this weekend, after not having it for the better part of a year.

A: Deep black with a half inch of beige head that hangs out for several minutes, leaving some good lacing on the tulip glass. A much different and improved presentation from the bottled version.

S: Alcohol, roasted malt, bourbon. The aroma is huge and detectable from several feet away.

T: This is a big, rich beer, with a potent dose of bourbon, alcohol, and roasted malt. Wonderfully delicious chocolates also make up a large portion of the flavor. I find it to be very enjoyable and well done. The 13% abv is definitely evident in the nose and the taste, but the beer is so well crafted, the flavor doesn't come across as hot, just robust and powerful.

M: The carbonation level is spot on, which is another notable improvement over the bottled serving. The feel is sticky, sweet, viscous, and chewy with a rich roasted malt and alcohol finish that lingers for a good while between sips.

D: The sweetness and high octane nature of Bourbon County Stout make this a great choice for sipping on a cold winter night, which is exactly what I did. While this is a nice brew I enjoy on occasion, I am satisfied with a small serving.

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2010 20:04:07 | More by Huhzubendah

afksports

New York

4.53/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I've had 2008, 2009 bottles, and the 2009 on tap. Every single time it blows my mind. The vanilla version is sort of like drinking a unicorn, so the regular version is maybe... horses running through fields of poppies?

Either way, the rich and dark appearance pours nearly pitch black with little head. It stays with even less, sitting there in your glass like pitch. Great legs though. And the smell is unbelievable. Bourbon fills the nose. Also there's chocolate and coffee. The taste is out of this world, and probably the best part about it. Dark chocolate, coffee, figs, malts, and only a hint of bourbon in the taste up front. The rest of the swallow you're left to remember it by smell. The booziness is more and more present as it warms.

Without question it fills the mouth, and this one is as drinkable as you can handle the 13% abv. My first time having it I walked like an Egyptian to 80's music for a couple hours afterwards. Second time pretended to be Russian and wore an aviator hat in the middle of September. Enjoy this... responsibly.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2010 12:32:37 | More by afksports

andrewme2

Virginia

4.45/5  rDev -2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

One of my absolute favorites. Just had 2010 yesterday. I may be a little delusional, but it seemed that the 2010 is a little sweeter and a little easier to drink than the 2008/2009. Thus, to me 2010 isn't as good as previous years. Perhaps aging a bit longer will help.

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2010 22:51:49 | More by andrewme2

rpardon7

Kentucky

4.33/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the tap an oil black with a small thick tan head that faded quickly. Smell is dominated by bourbon, roasted malts, and some hints of dark fruit and black liquorice. Taste is of chocolate, bourbon, warming alchohol, a bit of coffee, a hint of dark fruit and liqourice. Mouthfeel is thin and smooth not much carbonation. Drikability well this one is tough it is a wonderful beer however very high in ABV and that makes it tought to have more than one. That being said you could enjoy more than one when the time is right. But definately a sipper.

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2010 16:18:33 | More by rpardon7

despainmakesbeer

Kentucky

4.38/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

dark tan head that dissappears relatively quicky. Dark rich, pitch black color. Rich aroma, complex aroma. Obvious presence of bourbon, also some candied flavors like liqourice and warming, roastiness. Flavors are just as bold and complex. Bourbon is very present, but very well blended with other flavors of the beer. The roasted malts are very presence. Hint of dark fruity notes as well. Very thick, long sipping beer. Great winter beer, well actually great beer to enjoy anytime, but defintely the type of beer that warms your bones on cold winter nights.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2010 00:13:30 | More by despainmakesbeer

Frothboss

Kentucky

4.45/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Dark....dark....dark.... i have never seen such black before no carbonation can even muscle thru the darkness. Soft chocolate scent nothing really overpowering. Tastes very complex; chocolate up front with a nice bursty bourbon punch of alcohol, roasted malts, licorice and coffee. Smooth, mildly carbonated. This is a sipper for me, sits heavy on my stomach but excellent blend of flavors and character would definitly drink another but not right now. Very nice bourbon stout cross style blend, yuuuummm its very rich.

Serving type: on-tap

11-06-2010 00:41:58 | More by Frothboss

RRC87

Minnesota

4.35/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2008 vintage
Had on-tap at Stub and Herbs at Darkness Eve

A: Pitch black that doesn't allow any light to penetrate it, even at the corners. There is a dark creamy head that leaves dissipates quickly.

S: The aroma is dominated by vanilla and bourbon as would make since. These are supplemented by a sweet tobacco. There is also a tiny bit of alcohol in there as well but only enough to cut through.

T: the taste is very complex and very deep with one layer on top of the other. The largest player is the bourbon and vanilla but there are also notes reminiscent of tobacco. There is also the subtlest hint of soy on the end. The only reason it doesn't get a five is because the alcohol is still pretty forward as it warms.

M: Thick and viscous. It goes down silky smooth and clings to the palate and leaves a sweet residue that you taste for long after you swallow.

D: Surprisingly drinkable for the ABV. Obviously you don't want to drink to much of this to quick, but then again that isn't what it's designed to be. Clearly a sipper but just delicious.

Overall: Would have been higher, but the booze becomes a bit too prevent as it warms; none the less, this is absolutely deliciousness. Everyone should try it at least once.

Serving type: on-tap

10-27-2010 23:02:43 | More by RRC87

CMW

Missouri

4.25/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Poured into the snifter a very dark brown color that looked similar to motor oil. A small tan head was present but faded quickly.

S - Heavy bourbon, vanilla, wood, and some molasses.

T - Definitely a heavy bourbon flavor upfront. The alcohol was the first thing that comes through a you think it will be overwhelming but its not. It fades to the background and leaves some nice molasses and vanilla flavors. Alcohol burn is very small.

M - Creamy, full bodied, with little carbonation.

D - As it warmed it became a little harder to get down but overall the drinkability was a little above average. The abv makes it just a little rough.

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2010 14:58:09 | More by CMW

FickleBeast

New Jersey

4.65/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Arrives in a snifter. Pitch black, with a ring of tan foam. Aroma is very oaky, vanilla, bourbon

First sip is amazing. Flavor is dominated by the bourbon barrel... strong oak, bourbon flavors. Dark malts are subdued. Not hot at all. Simply amazing.

Wow. Such a creamy, smooth mouthfeel with a delicious lingering toasted vanilla flavor. Superb. I don't detect the alcohol at all.

This beer is awesome. Try it if you ever have the opportunity, I am so glad I did.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

10-09-2010 20:40:13 | More by FickleBeast

jmdrpi

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -20%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

drank on-tap at the the Clybourn brewpub location. the beer is pitch black in color, with slight tan head in a thin color.

the smell is overwelming bourbon. if I was blindfolded, I would think that it's just a glass of straigh whiskey sitting in front of me. obviously if you're a bourbon fan, you'll love that, but it's a bit much in my opinion. fortunately, the taste is not as overtaken, and is a bit more balanced.

one glass was enough, so I wouldn't put it high on drinkability

Serving type: on-tap
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

09-08-2010 03:13:49 | More by jmdrpi

TheJollyHop

California

4.53/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Had '08 Vintage on tap at the Blue Palms 2nd Anniversary

Opaque, velvet black as night body, with a milk chocolate, brown head,

Roasted grain, alcohol, and cocoa, on the nose. Really couldn't pick too much out of the aroma. The flavor to me is the best chocolate syrup mixed with a bourbon alcohol kick. And the barrel aging imparts some definite vanilla and wood flavor. Seriously, I would love to pour this over some vanilla ice-cream.

Taste is dramatically dense, do I really have to tell you that it is full bodied? Doubt it. Bitterness tries to balance but ultimately gives way to a torrent of malt character. Surprisingly sippable for such a high ABV beer. Super creamy and velvety, soft on the tongue; just exceptional feel.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

08-23-2010 01:53:17 | More by TheJollyHop

Trystero

Ohio

4.58/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I am currently drinking this at the Goose Island branch in Wrigleyville. It is quite the treat. Served in a snifter..

A: Typical of what you would expect for a draft bourbon stout. Slight brown appearance with little head and no lacing. Dark, almost opaque throughout the body of the glass.

S: Smell is a kick in the face of bourbon, with slight notes of caramel and some chocolate.

T: First hints are not as strong of bourbon as the aroma, but it does contain lots of vanilla and oak. Pleasantly, there is not as much of an alcohol taste as the smell would suggest. Amazing coffee/chocolate finish that sits very well and invites more.

M: Thin, yet appropriate.

D: Amazing for one snifter. The 13% ABV makes another slightly intimidating.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

08-02-2010 20:17:05 | More by Trystero

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.88/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a snifter at ChurchKey.

Whoa, now, this is on tap here? Right on, CK, right on. Greg, you sure know how to make us DC-area BAs happy. This bad boy pours a dead black topped by a short-lived finger of foam that straddles the delicate line between dark tan and straight brown. The nose comprises some strong bourbon, oak, vanilla, coffee, anise, rich chocolate, and roasted malts. The taste is dominated by the bourbon and oak, not unlike the totalitarian government in "We" (look it up, Philistines!). The rest of the tongue finds itself inundated with chocolate syrup, molasses, maple syrup, and roasted malts. If it weren't for the o'erwhelming bourbon nonsense, this would be fantastic; instead, it's merely better than many. The body is rather hefty, with a light carbonation and a chewy feel. Overall, a nice offering, but way too heavy on the bourbon. Without this lack of balance, it would be great. Almost...

Serving type: on-tap
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

07-30-2010 06:21:54 | More by TMoney2591

DavoleBomb

Ohio

4.7/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on-tap at American Craft in Brookline today. Review from notes.

4.0 A: Pitch black. One finger of medium brown head. Average retention given the ABV, but not much lacing.

4.5 S: Bourbon is strongest, but there's a nice roasted barley component. Coffee and dark chocolate as well.

5.0 T: Bourbon is strongest again, but the other flavors have enough strength to create a great balance. Vanilla beans, coffee, sweet chocolate, some leather. Super complex and everything exists in harmony.

4.5 M: Lighter heavy body. Good carbonation. Creamy, but is missing that second layer of creaminess that would have made this brew perfect.

4.5 D: Excellent beer - even better on tap.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

06-30-2010 02:22:22 | More by DavoleBomb

Rchap1

Tennessee

4.28/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this one on tap at Goose Island Clybourn.

A: Black as night...the folks from the brewery weren't lying when they said that there's literally no light coming through this one. Really thin khaki head that disappears quickly, leaving just a tiny bit of lacing.

S: This one smells like you have your head inside a bourbon barrel. Really strong with the whiskey and tannins, you can catch a little bit of a malty scent in there, but I couldn't pick up on any hops.

T: Tasted exactly like I expected it to. Really really strong, exceptionally bitter, and with a nice little bit of warmth to it. For being as dark of an IS as this is, I'm surprised at how sweet it was. All in all though, this is definitely up there in terms of taste for a BA imperial stout.

M: Each sip went in really smooth, and you don't get any of the warmth until the swallow and aftertaste, which in my mind is how I want BA beers to come across. Overall really full for pretty small sips.

D: Ha! I had a 12 oz. snifter, and was feeling the effects pretty quickly. Honestly, I bet I could've had another, but I'd say not much past that. Great beer, went down smooth, but limit yourself!

Serving type: on-tap
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

05-25-2010 14:18:48 | More by Rchap1

AmberMan22

Minnesota

4.63/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Second time I've had a beer like this, and I found this GI to be far better than KBS. At least I have another bottle of that stuff to give it a chance at redemption.

This really is a story of two drinks merged wonderfully into one.

Pours a rather menacing black/super-dark-brown color that immediately looks like trouble, just seeing it swill around in the glass. Barely even got a look at the head though, it was gone so fast.

Smell was quite potent, and my nose is stuffed up from allergies.
The smell of barrel-aged bourbon is immediately overwhelming -- like I'm looking into a glass of finely smelling tar.
That yields gracefully to a subtle chocolate scent, thick and malty.

Taste is quite good -- as I said earlier, it's like 2 drinks in 1.
The bourbon hits first, smooth, refined, silky, boozy.
The stout comes next, sliding in quietly, but asserting flavors of chocolate, vanilla sweetness, and a boatload of malt.

Drinking this was a pleasure. Thick yet silky mouthfeel make this such a winner. Just like whiskey straight, this is a sipping drink, but you'll savor each nip.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

04-21-2010 14:09:49 | More by AmberMan22

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Sunset Grill, Boston, MA on 3/1/10.

A - Appeared as an oily abyss of utter blackness with a sliver of burnt tan head that diminished further into a thin ring around the edge of the glass, leaving very little lace behind.

S - On the surface, BCS slams your olfactory with equal parts bourbon and vanilla, resulting in a tempting sweet and boozy aroma. Underneath it all lies a crispy malt character and a hint of milk chocolate. Easily one of the most pleasant and aromatic bourbon beers on the market.

T - Delicious concoction of lush vanilla and warm bourbon with hints of puffed rice-like malt, chocolate notes and toasted grains. Finishes with an earthy hop presence and bitter chocolate notes.

M - Oily and viscous with a warm, boozy character and bristly carbonation resulting in lots of friction on the tongue. Finishes with plenty of bitterness and some alcohol heat on the palate.

D - While the "B" aspect of BCS does indeed provide quite a healthy dose of alcohol warmth, it still drinks like a champ for a huge 13% Imperial Stout. This is a beautiful beer, no doubt about it.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

03-10-2010 23:01:27 | More by ffejherb