Bourbon County Brand Stout - Goose Island Beer Co.

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BA SCORE
100
world-class
-
4,440 Ratings

THE BROS
95
world-class
-
read more »

rAvg: 4.54
pDev: 10.57%
Reviews: 2003
Hads: 2437

Ratings Help

Brewed by:
Goose Island Beer Co.

Illinois, United States

Style | ABV
American Double / Imperial Stout | 15.00% ABV

Availability: Winter. bottle (1856), on-tap (133), growler (12), nitro-tap (1), cask (1).

Notes:
60 IBU

Reviews

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Reviews by ThisWangsChung:

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

4.38/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I can't think of a more appropriate beer for review #300 than this one. 12 oz (2012 vintage) bottle poured into a Duvel tulip.

A: Pours a wondrously pitch black color. However, there's hardly any head. Any vestiges of a tan-colored head fade quickly and leave almost no lacing. Really, we've got to start talking about alcohol legs when we get to this gravity. And they're pretty impressive.

S: Tons of bourbon, augmented by dark fruits and vanilla. Not much in the way of roasted malts; it pretty much hits on the sweeter aspects of a good imperial stout, rather than the more savory ones. It's really not that boozy for 15%, either. Not the strongest aroma ever (due to the low carbonation), but incredibly evocative.

T: Sweet? Yes. Boozy? Yes. The flavor I notice first are stewed plums, raisins, and figs - this has a hell of a dark fruit note to it. Ultimately, it will finish with its trademark bourbon character and vanilla-infused chocolate. A slight note of smokiness will appear after a while. It's warm, yes, but given its gravity, the booze could be a lot worse. Basically, it has the hallmark character of a proper boozy beer - an alcohol character that blends with the flavor profile instead of clashing. This definitely bears a passing resemblance to FW Parabola, only with a lot more in the way of finesse and balance. The only thing missing is some complexity; thankfully, what's there is very enjoyable to savor slowly.

M: The finish is ultra syrupy, wet, and sweet. Very creamy in its palate texture, aided by the subtle (at best) carbonation. Some oak tannins come out in the late aftertaste in an attempt to dry the palate a little, but to no avail. This really is the type of beer that sits indolently on the tongue with massive, thick sweetness. You will NOT drink this quickly, so don't even dare - just veg over it for an hour or two and everything will be peachy keen.

O: Well, what more can be said? It's a big monster, but with enough deftness and sophistication to help give it a little extra 'something'. On the other hand, there is enough harshness to suggest this needs to lay down in the cellar for a bit. Regardless, this is something everyone should try at least once in their life.

---

After having bottle #2 at a more neutral temperature (about 50 F), it really opens up, losing a bit of sweetness and alcohol concealment - but gaining tons of balance, subtlety, complexity, and drinkability. In its current state, it's not that far off from BCBCS; and I'd even surmise its less harsh at a warmer temperature. For that reason, I'm giving it a score bump.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 00:06:15 | More by ThisWangsChung

More User Reviews:

steevbr

Illinois

5/5 rDev +10.1%

05-24-2013 20:51:31 | More by steevbr

Grant35

California

5/5 rDev +10.1%

05-24-2013 08:18:38 | More by Grant35

cyrushire

Florida

4/5 rDev -11.9%

05-24-2013 06:26:09 | More by cyrushire

Hoozierdaddy

Illinois

5/5 rDev +10.1%

05-24-2013 05:18:29 | More by Hoozierdaddy

SwG237

New York

4.5/5 rDev -0.9%

05-24-2013 03:51:55 | More by SwG237

BeerGardener

Nebraska

5/5 rDev +10.1%

05-24-2013 03:45:44 | More by BeerGardener

Tidesox28

Maine

5/5 rDev +10.1%

05-24-2013 02:16:52 | More by Tidesox28

kevanb

Illinois

4.61/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle, 2012 dated, poured into a Goose Island Bourbon County snifter.

The beer pours a deep, jet black color, touches of cola brown when struck by the light with a short, tightly packed caramel colored head that vanishes almost immediately that leaves no lace behind. The aroma is lovely, strong oaky bourbon, rich chocolate, light roasted coffee and barrel char and potent alcohol with some stone fruit and marshmallow character. On the tongue, rich toffee and bourbon creep out ever so smoothly before vanilla, thick chocolate and chewy oak captivate the palate. Alcohol, pitted fruit, marshmallow and light coffee roast tickle the tongue at the finish. The body is so velvety and smooth, low carbonation, but just enough to prop up the flavors and coat the mouth perfectly. The finish is so silky and easy and has a nice warming sensation as it goes down.

Verdict: There is a reason why this is the benchmark for all bourbon barrel aged stouts. It has such depth of flavor and wonderful balance and the alcohol, while prominent is so tame for hovering around 15.00%. This really is a beer that holds its own against any competitor in the style.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 02:11:27 | More by kevanb