Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout - Goose Island Beer Co.

ArrogantB

Colorado

3.88/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

2012 vintage thanks to HopsHopenstein. Dark black color, no head whatsoever in either glass. Wonderful coffee smell off the bat with only the slightest note of bourbon. Flavor was good coffee, slight hint of chocolate and vanilla. This was a good beer but anything more than a couple ounces and its just a chore to finish. There is a huge astringency from the alcohol that comes over your tongue in a wave after each sip. Its just too damn strong. If this was around 9% it would probably be amazing.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 01:58:38 | More by ArrogantB

writerLJBerg

Oregon

3.91/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

22oz bottle from JMRSN. Reviewed from notes.

A: Fizzing pour yields an obsidian black body with a geyser turbulating the middle of the surface. There's an acceptable ring of dark mocha colored head, and legs leave a brown stain on the glass.

N: Loads of vanilla and caramel. Bourbon and wood are pronounced. Chocolate cake with a touch of soy sauce. There's a touch of espresso. Alcohol soaked raisins.

T: Raisins, vanilla, chocolate, and a coffee acidity. Some roast, but this is mostly sweet with a little spice like that of rye whiskey. Some salt.

M: Coating and yet some wateriness at the end. Lots of alcohol.

O: I expected more coffee out of this vintage. This also has a quality I don't recall from the 2010 vintage, and as such, it's good, but it's not the best of the lineup. Still worthy.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 04:31:10 | More by writerLJBerg

champ103

Texas

3.93/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a viscous pitch black color. Opaque, no light gets through. A two finger creamy tan head rises quickly. As the foam recedes, a light film of lace is left.
S: Lots of bourbon in the nose. Vanilla, wood, and smoke. Big notes of chocolate and coffee. Very nice.
T: Bourbon overpowers. Sweet vanilla and wood. Tons of chocolate. Some espresso, but not nearly as powerful as I thought it was going to be.
M/D: A full body that thick and creamy smooth. Velvety and decadent. A monster ABV, and it is noticeable. Though a great beer to sip on throughout the night.

More of a liquor than a beer. Just like the regular BCS. Maybe a little more coffee, but it is hard to say. If I had the two side by side, it would be hard to tell them apart. It is a very enjoyable big beer. Though, for what it is, BCS is still king.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2010 12:49:22 | More by champ103

Dubber55

New York

3.95/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Pours a pitch black with less than 1 finger of tan, mocha head.

First thing that comes to mind is chocolate covered espresso beans. It smells like chocolate, bourbon, vanilla, maybe some maple syrup/molasses, and coffee.

Upon first sip, I am getting some malty sweetness. Then I get a big bourbon kick, some chocolate, coffee, and vanilla. The coffee is really well integrated in this beer. I have had many beers that are just overpowering with that acrid coffee aftertaste. This beer does not have that. I get a bourbon and alcohol kick at the end of each sip. I wish the bourbon flavor was a bit more subtle.

Low carbonation. Appropriate for the style. Maybe a little oily, creamy. Nicely done. No complaints.

This is a heavy, dense powerful libation. In my opinion, the drinkability is hurt a bit by the strong boozy aftertaste. On the other hand, I really like the fact that the coffee is nicely balanced. I have had way to many beers that are just coffee bombs.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2010 00:57:41 | More by Dubber55

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a Dogfish Head snifter.

Major League psyched to randomly find this one 'round my primary bar! Let's delve in, shall we? It pours a beastly pitch black topped by about a finger of fizzy, dark tan foam, which, sadly, dies away rather quickly. The nose comprises oak, bourbon, coffee, light vanilla, and nothing else. Period. For something this big, I expected more than this. The taste holds notes of dark roasted malts, a shit-ton of bourbon, oak, chocolate, light vanilla, light coffee, and a tiny bit o' bitterness. Honestly, I felt that, like the normal BCS, the bourbon was kinda overpowering, and, in this case, the coffee was strangely, haphazardly tossed into the trunk and forgotten until a few days into the vacation, by which time the sunburn is so bad that the sunscreen in the bag has been rendered pointless. You know what I mean? Simply put: too much bourbon, not enough coffee; good, but disappointing to say the least. The body is a heavy medium, with a moderate carbonation, a slight oral coating, and a very smooth feel. Overall, a tasty beast, but definitely not what I was told it would be.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2010 03:16:23 | More by TMoney2591

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.95/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Poured a dark black with good carbonation and broiwnish head, ring on this one

S: Bourbon but lighter than traditional BCS, coffee, booze

T: Coffee, vanila seemed predominant, roasted malt, booze and some chocolate

M: I thought it was a bit effervescent and uncreamy or full

D: Ok

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2010 01:54:47 | More by barleywinefiend

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.95/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout.

At last you are mine, my pretty!

And you are pretty black! Deepest stygian hue, neath a crisp, cocoa head, starts slim, but stays.

Aromatics: amazing. Mix of whiskey and coffee flow freely from the glass, ....going in close, now...dark chocolate and molasses, dark rum, a bit of brandy, hint of vanilla, coated in bourbon, drizzled with espresso. Heaven.

Drinking it...warming, boozy, medium-bodied, rich and luxurious. Wonderful mix of flavors, dark and delicious, earthy, sweetness, rum and molasses, swirl of espresso, bourbon burbling beneath. Little bit of alcohol burn, in here, too.

Long finish, full flowering flavor, ...but not the end all/ be all it's been hyped as. Sorry. There's too much whiskey, not enough coffee, and not enough stout.
I like it, it's nice, but how did the hype machine go so crazy on this? I guess, I'm great dissenter...ooo, ooo, ooo-ooo...

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2010 08:31:13 | More by feloniousmonk

mmtroop1218

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottled March 2010

Finally got around to cracking one of these open. As mentioned in alot of the reviews, right as you oped it up you can smell the burbon really coming through.

A: Pitch black with a small, less than a pinky head that fades away very quickly.

S: Like i said you can still really smell the burbon here, not to much coffee coming thorugh but the funny thing i noticed is after i take a sip and breathe out my nose i smell coffee, but not when smelling out of the glass...strange

T: Personally I think this is still a little hot, not that it is taking away from it, but a little more age on her and i bet it will be a dream becuase even now it is drinking very smooth. im picking up a little to much alcohol for me at the moment but others might not be as bothered by it

M: the mouthfeel is full body, but very smooth

D: was a slow sipper for me becuase of the up front burbon i was still getting from it but cant wait to try one again when it is a little older becuase i think it is going to be unreal.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2011 00:57:28 | More by mmtroop1218

DaveHS

California

3.95/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Vintage 2010

A-Pours deep black with 1/2 inch of mocha brown foam. Fades quickly, leaving almost no lacing.

S-Like bourbon county stout, but with coffee.

T/M-The roasty coffee bean flavors are well integrated into the base beer. Very similar to the original apart from the coffee note. My only real complaint is the sweetness. This beer is syrupy sweet and viscous. I'm splitting it two ways and my 12 oz glass is a chore to finish.

O-Good stuff, but a little goes a long way.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2011 17:12:14 | More by DaveHS

Phelps

Arizona

3.98/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottled March 2010 and poured into a snifter. Thanks to yourefragile for hooking this one up in a trade.

Looks: glugs black as motor oil from the bottle with no head to speak of -- just the tiniest tan ring, which leaves the tiniest lines of trailed lacing.

Smells: rich and buttery. Lots of warm bourbon and lightly bitter medium-roast coffee. Oak, vanilla, molasses, plums and dark chocolate all also make appearances. Espresso emerges as the beer warms a bit.

Tastes: sweet. Sugary bourbon mixes with medium-roast coffee, which seems to be muted. Granted, this beer has some age on it, but the flavors of Black Cat espresso beans seem much subtler than I thought they would be. The coffee flavors do, however, work to balance the strength of the bourbon, which is usually a bit overbearing in BCS. Butter, raspberry dark chocolate bars and toffee round out the flavor profile.

Feels: medium-bodied and smooth, with a light carbonation. Very nice, not overwhelming or intense.

Drinks: like second-best. As bourbon-aged coffee stouts go, I'd still rank KBS above this guy, but this beer's still pretty damn solid, with a great blend of flavors. It's definitely Bourbon County Stout, but with an added interest and complexity.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2010 23:07:37 | More by Phelps

Ryan011235

Ohio

3.98/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Delirium tulip on 5/7/11; shared by MbpBugeye

Bottled on 3/26/10

"Was that even worth the effort?"
-schwaeh

Dark, dark brown. Jet-black - imagine that. Tried to get a bit of foam but ended up with nothing more than a wispy skim. Thin ring of retention. Swirling helps.

Doesn't smell overly coffee-laden. Then again, it is one year old. Deep layers of chocolate. It's a cross between roasted and sweet. Hints of booze. Earthy overtones. Sugary molasses.

Tastes pretty good. Coffee isn't all that strong though it's most recognizable on the finish. Coffee beans and burnt espresso. Molasses, chocolate, cocoa. Nice, bold flavors. Plenty tasty all around.

Viscous, full-body. Sticky, sugary and slow-moving. Just enough carbonation. Moderately hot.

I would like to try this fresh. Regardless, it's enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2011 01:02:35 | More by Ryan011235

siege06nd

Virginia

3.98/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Shared with IrishColonial and billab941

A: Dark black, with a thin quarter finger cream colored head. Decent lacing. Light retention.

S: Lots of coffee, chocolate, vanilla, bourbon, and some sweet caramel. The most prominent note, though, is coffee. Smells like a pot of brew. Traces of woodiness.

T: Chocolate, vanilla, coffee, caramel. Literally tastes like regular BCBS with a generous dose of morning brew. The coffee actually takes a back seat to the regular BCBS flavors. Just loads of chocolate and vanilla.

M: Full bodied, moderately carbed. Flavors are well-balanced.

O: I preferred regular BCBS to this. The coffee is nicely integrated and definitely takes a back seat, but there isn't enough new or interesting in this for me to sing its praises over regular BCBS. It's a great stout, just a victim of its other siblings.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 03:23:49 | More by siege06nd

kscaldef

Oregon

3.98/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11/12/2012 bottling

Very dark, slightly brown on the edge. No head on the pour. Strong black coffee aroma. The taste is still dominated by chocolate, per the base beer, but the coffee is in there battling it out. Surprisingly carbonated in the mouth and as a result comes across lighter than you'd expect. Finishes with a strong alcohol kick.

Side-by-side with other variants, it's clearly better than Cherry Rye, very different but on par with Bramble Rye, and all lose to Vanilla.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 21:20:34 | More by kscaldef

hoppymcgee

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

It's exactly 6 months after the bottling date of 3/26/10 so I thought it was a great time to review this beer. Poured from a 22oz. bomber into a Trois Pistoles goblet.

A: Dark brown/black with a nice swirly dark tan head that subsides into a ring on the side of the glass.

S: Bourbon (and lots of it), vanilla, smoke, oak, and swiss chocolate.

T: The coffee has worn off a little bit, but is still present and completely necessary as it provides the bitterness this beer needs. The flavors have nicely mingled together - bourbon, maple, chocolate - and in my opinion is much better tasting than when I had it fresh.

M: No problems with the carbonation holding up thus far. A nice creamy texture adds to the beer and, again, is completely necessary to offset the sweetness of this beer.

D: The sweetness gets at me more than the booziness does.

Overall, cool to have tried this a half year later to the day, and am excited to see how this beer develops (for 5 years in the bottle according to GI).

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2010 01:54:44 | More by hoppymcgee

brentk56

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: I'm going to cut this some slack for the high ANV as it fails to produce much head atop the fudge brown liquid; what head is produced quickly fades to a ringlet and archipelago; legs but not much lace

Smell: More roasty chocolate than coffee, but the oaky bourbon and vanilla aromas dominate

Taste: Chocolate, bourbon, oak and vanilla dominate the tastebuds, up front and after the swallow, with only the vaguest hint of coffee in the finish; a lot of residual sugars in the finish

Mouthfeel: Full bodied and viscous, with low carbonation

Drinkability: A good, make that very good, barrel-aged stout but to my palate, this beer has been over-hyped; perhaps it had more coffee character when first released but that has faded now; I love Intelligentsia's Black Cat roast and am disappointed that it has become lost in the shuffle with this beer

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2011 23:07:17 | More by brentk56

scruffwhor

Illinois

4/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2010 edition. Bottled on 03/26/2010. 13% abv.

Black with a some brownie cake toned rimmed highlights. Quick dark brown head.

Warm alcohol, cocoa nibs, cream, ground espresso beans, and some tiramisu. Smells like a strong, flavorful sipper to me.

Oily and boozey palate from start to finish. This is a HOT beer. Not to say that it's not enjoyable to drink. Chocolate, black, espresso coffee with some creamy buttermilk in essence. The alcohol has a hot, lip singe of a finish. But tha reminds me to drink this for a prolonged period of time. Its oily smooth and hot, once the beer gets to room temperature. Nice sipper, glad I got to try this beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2012 23:43:40 | More by scruffwhor

drabmuh

Maryland

4.03/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer poured into a tulip glass. Beer is black and dark, even at the corners and forms a brown head of medium and small bubbles. Not much lacing on the glass but for such a big beer that's not too surprising. Carbonation will remain a mystery. Disturbing the beer by swirl leaves some legs on the glass.

Aroma is so strong and complex. I pick up liquor and alcohol at first, kind of obvious and some chocolate and dark fruits as well. Coffee is in there but it wasn't the most dominant or noticeable flavor. I was expecting more coffee.

Hmmm....beer is sweet and some of the bourbon edge from the regular version is missing here. Perhaps the addition of coffee some how mellowed the liquor character of the beer. Unfortunately, that's why I drink bourbon county, for the hot liquor flavor. There is some bitterness to this version, greater than the other, not as dry, coffee flavors in the back. I've had several vintages of the other BCS and on draft and I enjoyed the non-coffee more. A great experience to try this though for sure. Hopefully the wife will love it.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2010 20:55:31 | More by drabmuh

Jayli

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Consumed 7/1 poured in to my Portsmouth tulip

A: This beer pours a somewhat thick, opaque black with a 1/2 inch of coffee colored head. Head recedes quickly leaving minimal to no lacing on the glass.

S: Nose is of bourbon,touch of vanilla, molasses, and dark chocolate. I'm not picking up much in the way of coffee on this one.

T: Taste starts with some dark fruit notes, raisins is what is most present. Dark bitter chocolate then comes through to fill out the middle. Finish is hint of oak, vanilla and bourbon... lots and lots of bourbon. Coffee is a minor undertone flavoring through out.

M: Full body, low carbonation, rich and creamy body.

D: Massive alcohol kick on this one, somewhat filling, aging for a while may have worked better to take some of the heat off this one.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2010 13:52:24 | More by Jayli

hombrepalo

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap (2 variations) and bottle too. This ale pours black with dark brown edges. A thin brown head sits for a moment then recedes quickly and leaves little lace. I don't use OMG very often but OMG! My glass smells amazing- bourbon (obviously), coffee, vanilla, dark fruit (fig), raisin, and a fresh bread-like aroma. The taste is equally amazing. The flavors blend well together and the coffee is far from overpowering. Well balanced if not a tiny bit too sweet. Full body and the usual low carbonation found in GIBCBS.

Serving type: on-tap

10-17-2011 20:25:24 | More by hombrepalo

jamie2dope

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I had no idea there was as much surrounding this beer as there is. I was lucky enough to snag a single bottle of this today at Bermans in Lexington; thanks for setting it aside for me. With a motor oil like consistency, this beer pours out pitch black with just a lacing for heading. Nose is very rich with coffee, espresso, chocolate and molasses. The taste is pretty much the exact same, and when I say rich, that is exactly what I mean. Very slick on the tongue, and again, like motor oil. The alcohol is masked somewhat by all of the big flavors, which makes for an interesting drinking experience. Is the hype deserved? Yeah I suppose so. Get your bottle today if you see some.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2010 22:36:32 | More by jamie2dope

ThePorterSorter

New York

4.05/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Review #400...Christmas in July.

Served sightly below cellar temp, this beer pours a deep black with a loose, dark tan head that leaves a slight, oily lacing. The head falls flat quickly...and remains down for the count. This beer has an incredibly bold nose with intense notes of wood and vanilla followed by a rich toffee sweetness. The alcohol fades in the nose faster than expected allowing for more of the other flavors to come through. I'm reminded of maple syrup and molasses while drinking. The same bold flavors present in the nose get down and dirty in this syrupy malt base. It's definitely a slow sipper, although the coffee acidity on the back end helps balance out the beer's intense sweetness. To be honest, the bold coffee flavors and aromas I was expecting are not present; instead the coffee helps build body and balance. Overall I wouldnt say that this beer is extraordinarily different than BCBS, except it has greater chocolaty smoothness and drinkability. I'm always blown away by how drinkable this beer is, but I woud have preferred more roasted bean aroma and flavor.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2012 04:18:11 | More by ThePorterSorter

FunkyMacGroovin

California

4.08/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle dated 3/26/10, poured into a snifter.

A: Pours deep brown going-on-black, with a tinge of amber around the edge of the glass when held up to the light. Even a straight pour produces almost no head which dissipates quickly and leaves no lacing.

S: Tons of roasted aromas. Except for the wood character I could almost be smelling fresh espresso. This beer lets you know what it's about immediately, I just wish the alcohol was a little less evident in the nose.

T: Chocolate, malt, leather, wood, alcohol, a bit of smoke, and a great espresso flavor in the finish. Flavors blend better after it warms up a bit. Also some astringency present, likely imparted by the coffee.

M: Thick, smooth, viscous, and creamy. Reminds me of drinking milk. No carbonation is noticeable.

D: One bomber was definitely my limit, and that was pushing it. Good to the last drop, but my tastebuds were burnt out by the end.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2010 17:34:25 | More by FunkyMacGroovin

Soneast

Wisconsin

4.08/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Pours a dark black color, with just a touch of amber on the edges when held to a light. Not much head to speak of, more of a brown colored sudsy layer, that forms a small, bubbly ring.

The aroma definitely has a coffee, vanilla and bourbon quality. However it's much more than just that, there are deep caramel notes, brown sugar and espresso. Just rich and creamy, I can tell there is some definite complexity to this beer.

The flavor is intensely complex. You're hit initially with a well developed espresso flavor combines with bouzy bourbon notes and a rich creamy quality. It finishes with a well developed a burn that doesn't overpower the roasted, bitter coffee flavors that round this beer out.

Full bodied and creamy mouthfeel. BCBCS really is impressive. So complexly flavored and I love that the coffee character can stand out amongst all the bourbony goodness. It is quite rich so I certainly can't drink much of it, but really who cares?

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2010 16:20:55 | More by Soneast

beerandcake

Maryland

4.08/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The smell of coffee was great in the beginning but as I continued to drink it I felt as if it was too much. I did enjoy the bourbon taste. Overall very smooth and tasty if you drink it in moderation. I can image that having it with a desert could help in making it more enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2012 18:27:03 | More by beerandcake

ritzkiss

Ontario (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev -12%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.5

650ml bomber shared by oakbluff - thanks man! Bottled 03/26/10

Pours a dark brown, almost black, with a finger of creamy tan head which recedes to a collar.

Cappuccino and bourbon dominate the nose, a sweet, smooth combo that reminds you of your favorite warming, alcoholic coffee mix. Along with milk chocolate, a rich sweetness.

Quite a sweet brew which feels a little over the top at times - sweet milk chocolate, espresso, a real smooth coffee flavor, bourbon, a light to medium roast character, brown sugar and vanilla. Thick, residual sweet body which is decadent to the extreme, some alcohol heat in the finish. Enjoyable but wearying in large amounts.

Light carbonation, full mouthfeel - this is one of those ultimate dessert beers that you enjoy immensely in small quantities but if you try and drink too much it will only make you sick of it. Much like its little brother, it probably needs some time to mellow out a bit.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2010 14:19:58 | More by ritzkiss