Rare Bourbon County Stout - Goose Island Beer Co.

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BA SCORE
100
world-class
-
755 Ratings

rAvg: 4.78
pDev: 7.53%
Reviews: 313
Hads: 442

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 ediaz:

ediaz

Florida

4.64/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

bottle #9722 - thanks to Donttazemebro. Shared at Redlight Redlight Orlando

A: Pitch black, sticks to sides, no head and min lace

S: Bourbon, chocolate, malt - not as big a smell as I'd expect, but inviting

Ton of bourbon, huge. Malts, dark chocolate, nondescript dark fruit, smooth sweet finish. Everything expected and more

M: a little lighter than expected but smooth as can be. Nice alcohol burn that is welcomed, matches the beer.

O: fantastic. There is something to be said about the PvW23 barrels used; they definitely left their mark. If there were ever a bourbon bomb, this is it. Would have enjoyed a thicker body but this beer is completely magnificent.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 04:23:42 | More by ediaz

More User Reviews:

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