Rare Bourbon County Stout - Goose Island Beer Co.

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BA SCORE
100
world-class
-
758 Ratings

rAvg: 4.78
pDev: 7.53%
Reviews: 313
Hads: 445

Ratings Help

Brewed by:
Goose Island Beer Co.

Illinois, United States

Style | ABV
American Double / Imperial Stout | 13.00% ABV

Availability: Limited (brewed once). bottle (288), on-tap (25).

Notes:
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.

Aged 2 years in 23-year old Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrels.

Reviews

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Reviews by Kbogac:

Kbogac

Illinois

4.83/5 rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours dark black into a tulip glass. Dark caramel foam forms a nice ring immediately. Surprisingly the ring lightens considerably after a while to a cream color. The smell is heavy. Vanilla, coffee, chocolate and bourbon all combine to make let you know it's going to taste great. First sip while it's still cold is chocolate, bourbon and roasty malt, not so sweet. As it warms it gets sweeter and the vanilla becomes much stronger and dominant. Almost like the BCS Vanilla but with a heavier bourbon flavor. At room temp it's all bourbon, taste and smell. Even the sweetness fades. Surprising changes with the temp. The mouthfeel is heavy but expected. Anything less wouldn't carry all the flavor.

Overall one of the best beers I've had. Flavor is intense and enjoyable. Worthy of the hype in my opinion. A great experience.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 01:19:20 | More by Kbogac

More User Reviews:

r0nyn

New York

4/5 rDev -16.3%

05-25-2013 02:52:26 | More by r0nyn

infi

New York

3.75/5 rDev -21.5%

05-25-2013 02:51:16 | More by infi

manutdfan

Florida

5/5 rDev +4.6%

05-24-2013 23:32:25 | More by manutdfan

JitsuBrew

Washington

4.75/5 rDev -0.6%

05-24-2013 20:49:26 | More by JitsuBrew

kspongeworthy

Texas

4.5/5 rDev -5.9%

05-24-2013 14:33:43 | More by kspongeworthy

hey5hitgoose

Illinois

4.75/5 rDev -0.6%

05-23-2013 17:11:44 | More by hey5hitgoose

vic21234

Illinois

4.99/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

22oz bomber poured into a snifter from cellar temperature. Bottle number 618, bottled on 11/19/10. I've been saving this one for a special occasion.

A- Pours just like regular BCBS, pitch black with a small amount of brown colored head that quickly fades. No carbonation seen, sits calm and still in the glass. Tons of lacing along the sides of the glass also.

S- Great smelling beer as expected. Tons of bourbon and the sting of alcohol dominates the smell. I do notice a difference in the bourbon aroma notes in Rare with the PVW.

T- Fantastic beer. Initially the taste starts strong with the notes of bourbon. Then comes chocolate, coffee, and maybe some dark fruits as well. The bourbon gets smoother as the beer warms as well.

M- Heavy, boozy, dark, and flavorful. A great warming feeling with each sip.

Rare is a fantastic beer. Does it live up to the hype? I don't think so. I'd be just as happy sipping on a regular BCBS or BCBS Coffee that is much more obtainable than this. Still a great beer though and I'm happy I had the opportunity to have it.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 00:39:18 | More by vic21234

eyeenjoybeer

Indiana

4.75/5 rDev -0.6%

05-20-2013 20:19:14 | More by eyeenjoybeer

JellyJacket

Illinois

4/5 rDev -16.3%

05-20-2013 19:32:20 | More by JellyJacket

mendvicdog

Maryland

4.75/5 rDev -0.6%

05-20-2013 19:07:12 | More by mendvicdog

smartassboiler

Illinois

4/5 rDev -16.3%

05-20-2013 14:28:03 | More by smartassboiler

RhyminBelmont

Illinois

4.5/5 rDev -5.9%

05-20-2013 13:58:09 | More by RhyminBelmont

sbxx

Illinois

3.75/5 rDev -21.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

On tap at Goose 25th Anniversary block party.

Didn't have time for a full review but it's obvious that this beer is nearing the end of its life right now. That being said, it was still tasty. Fresh, I bet this was a 5 or damn close. Right now, it's not even a 4.

The PvW still shines through and is basically the only thing redeeming this beer at this point. If you have a bottle sitting around, drink it ASAP. If you see it on tap again, go for a fresh BCS variant first.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2013 02:45:50 | More by sbxx