Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout - Goose Island Beer Co.

Pinknuggets

Vermont

4.71/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Bottle to HFS sniffer

A: very dark brown to red coloring with a thin mocha head that leaves a thick lacing around the edge of the glass. The beer is totally opaque and pours thick like syrup or oil.

S: Well there is certainly lots of bourbon but it is quite chocolatey as well. Also quite present is deep smell of very dark coffee. It really is wonderful it smells like a dessert I would love to try better then some other stouts that try and emulate desserts.

T: Yum so this follows the nose with lots of tasty and chocolatley bourbon to start then there is an espresso taste that is so dark it is almost hard to distinguish from the chocolate, but it is definitely there to add a lot of depth to the original BCBS flavor.

M: The mouthfeel is smooth and creamy while also being thick and extremely chewy toffee like for sure. It is almost like chocolate mocha bourbon syrup but not quite that thick but with enough flavor to be syrup.

O: Wow so this is a great beer definitely an upgrade to the regular BSBS and i really like the addition of coffee taste as it blends quite well with the bourbon taste. The only thing that I will say is that I wish there was a little more balance between the coffee and bourbon but that is some serious nit picking as this is a truly phenomenal beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2013 03:10:33 | More by Pinknuggets

bcostner1

Tennessee

4.9/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

2012 vintage

A: Midnight black, rich decadent pour. Aggressive khaki head that sticks around for quite a while and leaves nice vestiges around the edges of the glass. Beautiful looking beer and everything I want my imperial stouts to look like.

S: Booze, bourbon, coffee (not overwhelmingly so), vanilla. Intoxicating.

T: Ridiculously good. There's a lot going on here. Up front I get heavy malt, bourbon, vanilla, wood. After this comes some chocolate roast, rich molasses, some liquid caramel, brown sugar, candi sugar, brownie batter, and an amazing melange of dark fruits. The finish is primarily coffee, more rich malt, and some definite cognac in there too. These all work together really well....so delicious. My only knock is that I personally actually wish there was a little MORE coffee here throughout than there is. Still, it's a world class brew.

M: A sipper for sure. It's definitely a little hot...the alcohol is definitely noticeable and present. Very warming. Thick, rich, viscous. Very satisfying. 1/4 of a point docked for the hotness.

Overall, an amazing beer. So glad I finally go got to try it. Would definitely have again and seek out. Glad I got 2 bottles so I can see what some age does to the other one. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 23:17:46 | More by bcostner1

TK5150

Maine

4.88/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Overall score for original 2010 batch : 3.85. Too bourbon heavy that completely drowned the rest of the beer.

(My notes for both 2010 and original 2012 were accidentally deleted, btw).

New review for 2012:

A- Black with a small brown head.

S- Chocolate, coffee, fudge, bourbon.

T- Bourbon, oak, alcohol, fudge, chocolate, coffee undertones. (My first 2012 featured a huge orange sherbert flavor btw, which was unique but good).

M- Full bodied. Smooth.

O- This may be a bit better than the 2012 original BCBS. Completely ready to drink. Do not age. Definitely better than the original batch of BCBCS a couple of years ago that everyone went bonkers for.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 02:25:34 | More by TK5150

Krakistophales

Connecticut

5/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: Like all the bourbon counties, pours jet black with a sexy chocolate head.

S: Where to begin? Dark roast coffee, vanilla, bourbon, oak, all varieties of chocolate, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, anice, allspice, even clove and some other dessert spices, all rounded out with an espresso-like dryness.

T: At first, huge notes of mocha latte. The chocolate mixes so well with the coffee that you can substitute any favorite coffee drink flavor here and you'll likely find it. Then, there's a caramel/vanilla/bourbon mix of booze and sweet that really hits the spot, and the end is an unforgiving, black roast mix of espresso and black coffee, but somehow ends up tasting like cappuccino towards the end. Mind-boggling how beer can taste like this.

O: One of my favorite beers ever.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 00:43:10 | More by Krakistophales

Stevedore

Wisconsin

5/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

(note: my personal scoring system goes in whole numbers)

22oz bomber, dated 11/12/2012, poured into a tumbler and imbibed today, 2/1/2013.

Aroma: Full of oak and vanilla, as expected from a barrel-aged beer. There are hints of coffee and chocolate, the chocolate being surprisingly stronger than the coffee. There are also hints of some dark fruits but that is overshadowed by the oak and vanilla. Very strong nose, but dominated by just the oak and vanilla. (5)

Colour: Pours an opaque jet black, with about 2-3cm of dark brown head that sticks around for about 3-5 minutes or so which is a long time. Laces very well, persists uniformly. It's a beautiful-looking beer. (5)

Flavour: This is the best part of the brew. I get a lot of vanilla and oak, presumably from the barrel. But I get a good amount of actual bourbon, which is incredible. There is some black coffee, which as a black coffee drinker I appreciate very much. There is some dark chocolate in there, presumably from the roasted malt. Not much bitterness- it's full of chocolatey vanilla, coffee, roast malts and bourbon. It's a palate's wet dream. (5)

Mouthfeel: While the flavour is the best part of the brew, this characteristic is definitely a very strong part of the brew. It's a superbly thick-bodied stout, decently carbonated as expected for an imperial stout. It's nicely dry, and for some reason it seems to really combine what I expect of drinking a beer vs drinking some bourbon on the rocks. The aftertaste is definitely of bourbon, oak and vanilla in a combination and doesn't linger long- making you want to drink some more of that goodness. Surprisingly, for a 15% ABV brew, I don't feel as much heat here either even as it gets warmer. (5)

Overall: I definitely see why people consider this beer to be world-class. It's actually distinct to the BCBS and I'm very happy I had the chance to get my hands on two bottles of this brew. I'll probably age the other bottle for a year and see how things go, but I'm looking forward to drinking it along with a 2013. (5)

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 00:22:33 | More by Stevedore

Hopmarc

Illinois

5/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Was looking forward to this for some time and it did not disappoint. The smell was perfect. Coffee and a hint of bourbon. Taste and mouthfeel was perfection. Based on this gem I look forward to trying the other selections from Goose Island. If they are anything close to this I won't be disappointed.

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2013 02:56:05 | More by Hopmarc

KYGunner

Kentucky

4.66/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured black and thick into the snifter, there was a trail of bubbles across the top like a single layered head.

The scent was of coffee and cream with touches of vanilla and coconut. The coffee scent is strong with the feel of a high grade coffee, ain't no Gas station cup of joe.

One sip and I was taken to the very first time I had ever enjoyed coffee. Some one mixed it with Baileys and I was hooked. Notes of sweet Irish cream and roasted coffee accent some toffee and vanilla.

Expectation and hype were fulfilled in a tremendous offering from Goose Island.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 01:17:12 | More by KYGunner

warrenout330

Ohio

4.99/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Props to jbecke2 .... dreams do come true! Lol

A- pours a pitch black, black as my heart.. mild fluffy khaki colored head.... minimal lacing to glass

S- big Bourbon presence, milk chocolate tones, slight coffee aroma .... woody undertones

T- sweet milk chocolate, bakers bitter chocolate, woody vanilla tones, coffee highlights but not dominant... bozzy Bourbon

M- full body stout, smooth and creamy ... warm from the Bourbon with a almost numbing on the tongue... for a beer with 14% abv the impression is very well masked ....

O- my first glass of goose bcbs brand ... does not disappoint, lives up to the hype ... and I want more! Seriously I want more

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 02:29:52 | More by warrenout330

Teleweizen2

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A - pours into my goose island chalice like i just brewed a fresh pot of coffee. There is maybe of fingers worth of tightly packed chocolate mousse colored foam which quickly dissipates to a thin ring around the edge of the liquid.

S - the nose is very balanced. The Bourbon is bright with notes of warm gooey caramel followed by oily notes of roasty espresso beans. But wait there is more? The bourbon also brings along dusty notes of wood (sawdust?), dark semi-sweet chocolate and maybe just a touch of menthol.

T - a lot of flavors on the palate at once. a blend of roasty, toasty and sweet all on the front end. the bourbon lends notes of caramel, oak, and hints of vanilla. Flavors grow more aggressive mid palate with lots of roasty coffee notes. the oily coffee notes grow even strong on the back end along with a touch of alcohol heat. the finish is long and full of sweet caramel. the alcohol heat completely passes the throat but lingers with a pleasant warmth in the chest.

M - coffee with heavy cream and a high carbonation? yeah that's the best way to sum up the creamy full bodied and bubbly carbonation on this beer.

O - Excellent. Well balanced in every way which is always impressive for a bourbon barrel aged beer. Something to savor indeed.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 06:07:22 | More by Teleweizen2

Jfriz25

Wisconsin

4.66/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Appearance- Dark brown with a redish tint when swirled. Off white head with nice legs.

Smell- terrific coffee with hints of dark fruits and a touch of booze.

Taste- a lot of coffee stouts taste like stale coffee but this is the freshest tasting coffee I have experienced. The classic BCBS barrel comes through at the end. Again like the nose there is a touch of booze.

Mouthfeel- the highlight of this beer for me. Silky smooth with perfect carb.

Overall- this beer totally lived up to the billing. Great coffee on top of an almost perfect base. Delicious.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 04:28:56 | More by Jfriz25

dbc5

Ohio

4.59/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

22 ounce bottle poured into 10 ounce Kentucky Bourbon Stout snifter.

A: Pour is jet black with a fairly minimal, mocha colored head. Head quickly recedes but there is a very thin ring around the edge of the glass. No lacing, but noticeable alcohol legs with each glass swirl.

S: There is definitely that trademark Bourbon County aroma, but it is nicely complimented by the coffee beans. Chocolate (almost fudge-like), mocha, bourbon (obviously), and vanilla.

T: I imagine that if you dunked a fudge brownie in bourbon, took a bite, then chased it with a nice cup of coffee, you could pretty closely approximate this beer's flavor profile. A really interesting and enjoyable experience. As the beer warms, much more of the bourbon and barrel characteristics make their presence felt. Great flavor on this one.

M: Love that classic Bourbon County mouthfeel. Thick with low carbonation, so it just coats your tongue with each sip. Bordering on syrupy, but fits with the overall complexity of the beer.

O: My first of the Bourbon County variants and it did not disappoint. The coffee adds a new interesting element to a base beer that already has a ton going on. Very enjoyable drinking experience.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 02:43:04 | More by dbc5

Goosey

Missouri

4.73/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Pours black as black can be, with small tan head that dissapears quickly. Great nose, lots of Bourbon, a lot like regular bcbs just with a light scent of coffee. Tastes litterally identical to bcbs, but with a wee bit of coffee up front, and a bit of a burnt coffee aftertaste, but in a good way. Lots of bourbony goodness, but never overpowering, and a great stouty base. Moutfeel is almost perfect, but if they could take the mouthfeel from Baudenia, and replace it with this, it would be perfect. Overall, great beer, and the third installment of the Bourbon County line that I have had the priviledge of tasting. Only complaint- could use some more coffee, otherwise, it just kinda tastes like the original... which is fine.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2013 21:47:17 | More by Goosey

mhksuccess

California

4.99/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Well poured this 22oz bottle into a snifter glass
it pours real dark and no head probably due to the aging
it was bottle a few months ago and probably will get better with time
but all I can say is it is amazing right now
smell strong chocolate kind of like a boozy chocolate cake
taste was very similar omg chocolate not a lot of heat for 14%+ abv
coffee flavor but very smooth not acicidity
pretty sweet smooth and oh so tasty
think maybe my new number one favorite
a must try for any beer geek

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 18:45:24 | More by mhksuccess

bum732

Maryland

4.46/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

S: Rich cake batter, bourbon, oak, earthy coffee in the background. Loads of fudgy chocolate.

L: Very thick, jet black. Dark tan, carbonated head that dissipates.

T: Cake batter, fudge like with a sweet bourbon blast. Medium bitterness before yielding to additional chocolate malt with coffee arriving and providing some fresh roasty earthiness. Alcohol dries the finish along with some coffee bitterness.

M: Full bodied, medium carbonation. Alcohol very detectable, warming on the throat.

A really fantastic beer. However, i wasn't that impressed with the coffee, it was very subtle throughout. Not sure how much it brings to the table when BCBS is so much easier to find and cheaper.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 15:55:23 | More by bum732

joeseppy

Illinois

4.74/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

From a good man (Ryan) who scored a 1/16 barrel @ The Cellar, Downers Grove..thanks!

Appearance neat and clean with trace carbonation.

Coffee mainstage with cocoa nib and vanilla on backup.

Silky smooth with a velvety dark cocoa afterglow. Splendid alcohol heat providing good comfort. GI at it's finest.

Keeping it simple folks...best in show! IMO the best coffee stout in North America. GI, hands down, has set the benchmark for greatness. Priveleged to obtain on-tap.

Serving type: on-tap

01-18-2013 03:51:52 | More by joeseppy

CommanderOfAwesome

California

4.55/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2012 22 oz bottle courtesy of IP trade.

A: Pours motor oil with dark brown .5 finger head. Tons of alcohol legs.

S: Coffee is prevalent (shocking!). Vanilla, bourbon and oak coming through.

T: Almost an iced coffee flavor along with coffee beans, some dark chocolate, bourbon (though not as much as the regular), oak and vanilla coming in as well.

M: Thick, creamy, slight alcohol flavor. Low carbonation which is to be expected.

O: Exception beer, and drinkability is dangerously high for a beer this strong. More drinkable than the regular BCBS IMO.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 22:19:11 | More by CommanderOfAwesome

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.53/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

been waiting to crack this for awhile now and finally the time was right. the pour was lacking much carbonation, but thats to be expected from the barrel aging process. dark dark brown murky liquid, not as thick or syrupy as i was anticipating, and just a thin rim of moca lacing. the nose is wonderful, this beers best feature i thought. lots and lots of fresh coffee flavors, like just used espresso grounds, minus the acid. i really dont smell too much alcohol either surprisingly, just a lot of roasty malt with the coffee. the flavor isnt as coffee heavy as it smells, and i thought that was a bit of a let down, i was kind of hoping for a coffee bomb, and this is a lot more refined than that, well done. no acid at all, and plenty of vanilla and charcoal rubbed off from the barrel, it all really comes together. again, the alcohol is amazingly well hidden for such a big beer, even when its warm i dont feel too bad a burn for 14% abv. the coffee has no acidity at all, which is a delight as well. mouthfeel is a little thick without much carbonation at all. i dont remember the regular bourbon county being so flat, but that was from a tap and this was bottles, so who knows. still velvet mousse texture, really lovely and artfully done. this was a gem, equally delicious as the standard edition, but in a lot of ways i liked this better. worth every bit of the hype in my opinion!

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 21:58:23 | More by StonedTrippin

mwilbur

Minnesota

4.88/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Poured from 22 oz bottle into snifter. 2012 vintage. Brewed on 11/12/12. Bottle #0049.
A: Pours thick and dark. Extremely dark brown with a hint of deep crimson emerging with backlighting (as the beer is poured, not in the glass...no light comes through with backlighting the glass). Essentially no head. Typical BCS stuff.
S: Wonderfully sweet boozy bourbon mixes with medium roast coffee beans. Very pleasant balance of about 60:40::bourbon:coffee. Phenomenal.
T: Sweet bourbon, vanilla, and wood hit first. Then medium roast coffee, cream, and caramel takes over. The slowly warming and strengthening alcohol note kicks in for the finish. What amazes me most is how restrained the alcohol note is at 14.3%. Dark dried fruit emerges with warming.
M: Heavy body, but very smooth and slightly oily feel. A bit of sticky sweetness. The alcohol burn is certainly present, but quite mild compared to the ABV. Nice lingering finish on the palate.
D: A deceptively easy drinker. 14.3% will catch up with you. A simply phenomenal brew, but definitely what I'd expect from a BCS variant. Seek it out if you can!

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 04:47:10 | More by mwilbur

gr0g

New Jersey

4.85/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

22oz bottle, 2012 vintage.

Pours pitch black with a thin, tan head, very much the same as "regular" BCBS. Some fresh ground coffee aroma is apparent after the pour, but it doesn't stand out that much. The richness and sweetness of BCBS is intact. Bourbon barrel character wafts up from the glass, notes -- charred, oak, cherry, and vanilla. Noticeable fusel alcohol from this fresh bottle (bottled on 11/12/2012).

Flavor is quite sweet, with the anticipated heavy bourbon notes coming through. Effusive barrel character in the form of cherry wood and vanilla. Surprisingly, coffee flavor is quite well hidden and a slight disappointment. What it does seem to have done is to give this more of a straight-up roast character as opposed to the plentiful dark fruit character I tasted in 2012 BCBS. Different, but not necessarily superior or inferior.

The mouthfeel is quite viscous and chewy. Carbonation holds on for a good while without fading much, which is essential in such a big beer that must be sipped slowly. Mouth-coating syrupy texture.

While not as coffee-forward as I'd have liked, BCBCS is a tremendous beer, every bit as worthy as its reputation suggests. I'd give it a very slight edge over BCBS.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 01:21:53 | More by gr0g

dtivp

West Virginia

4.71/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Pours dark pitch black with thin medium mocha brown head that recedes very quickly, no lacing.

Aroma of dark roasted coffee, roasted malt and bourbon.

Taste follows the nose with strong black coffee, dark roasted malt, hints of dark chocolate with a nice bourbon ending. As the beer came to room temperature the bourbon became a little more dominant.

Mouth Feel is full body, moderate carbonation, thick and smooth with a nice alcohol warming.

Overall is this is an excellent Imperial Stout with a great blend of coffee and roasted malt with a nice touch of bourbon. I was pleasantly surprised that at 14% ABV the bourbon didn't overwhelm the taste. I trul hope I will have an opportunity to enjoy this beer again in the future.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 17:57:51 | More by dtivp

Spectre

California

4.36/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A. Pours black as motor oil with a brown head.

S. Has a bourbon coffee aroma.

T. Just a little too much coffee flavor for me but is understandable considering it needed to be told apart from the black labeled imperial stout.

M. Goes down real smooth with a bite at the end

Overall an above average barrel aged stout. Just a little too much coffee.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 21:56:39 | More by Spectre

BEERMILER12

Maine

4.69/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

2012 with La Tortuga beans

A: Pours a near pitch black color with a quickly receding dark brown head

S: Lots of coffee, bourbon, vanilla, oak, and caramel. Pretty much as billed: BCBS with lots of coffee

T: Follows the nose. Starts off with with lots of bourbon, oak and vanilla character along with a good amount of coffee. Alcohol very well hidden. Coffee lingers for a while. Again, as billed: BCBS with coffee

M: Full bodied with low-moderate carbonation. Smooth and creamy

O: The coffee adds a nice layer of complexity to an already very complex beer. Of course a little pricey, but worth it. Recommended

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 03:53:51 | More by BEERMILER12

chakadrum

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev -12%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

While a good beer, I feel it is overrated. However, I can understand why. It is an excellent imperial stout. It is an excellent coffee stout. It is 14%. It is extreme.

Look dark as expected. I would have expected better lacing.

Smells pretty darn good but you definitely have to be in the right mood for this smell.

Good taste. Sweet, not surprisingly. Coffee is there but not overwhelming. Good bitterness left after swallowing.

The viscosity feels appropriate. Good carbonation.

Again, a good imperial stout, but just doesn't get me overly excited.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 03:12:02 | More by chakadrum

CaptDavyJones

New York

4.4/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into an oversized snifter from a 22 oz bottle, with date and ABV on the label.
Midnight black in color with absolutely no light penetrating in any way. Thin tan colored head that dissipates fairly quickly.
Lots of coffee upfront on the nose; the espresso is very noticeable but also inviting and blends well with the bourbon and barrel characteristics.
Taste is also big on coffee, although it is very well balanced. Just a well-rounded and tasty beer. The alcohol is also very well hidden.
A very good take on the BCBS and absolutely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 06:58:18 | More by CaptDavyJones

lordofthewiens

Maine

4.48/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I can see why this is such a popular beer.

It is a very dark brown with some tinges of mahogany. There was a small tan head that left a tiny bit of lace.

Aroma was roasted malt; a little chocolate, a little coffee.

Taste a nice balance of milk chocolate and strong coffee.

This was a smooth, almost creamy beer. The alcohol was very well hidden.

I would buy this again, even at $20 a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 21:17:24 | More by lordofthewiens