Big John - Goose Island Beer Co.

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BA SCORE
91
exceptional
-
906 Ratings

rAvg: 4.07
pDev: 11.3%
Reviews: 385
Hads: 521

Ratings Help

Brewed by:
Goose Island Beer Co.

Illinois, United States

Style | ABV
American Double / Imperial Stout | 11.50% ABV

Availability: Rotating. bottle (372), on-tap (12), growler (1).

Notes:
Brewmasters Notes:
Inspired by the epic skyline of Chicago, Goose Island's brewers set out to craft Big John; a tall, bold slugger of a stout that stands out vividly against the little soft beers out there. Epic amounts of roasted malt and an addition of cacoa nibs give Big John a massive chocolate flavor and aroma. With a body as substantial and black as the building to which it pays homage, Big John is sure to inspire a sense of awe with each sip.

Reviews

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Reviews by PicoPapa:

PicoPapa

Connecticut

4.11/5 rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

22oz bottle with a Bottled date of 12/07/12. Pours a dark black color with over an inch of frothy brown head. Aroma is boozey and chocolatey. Not sweet but more of a bitter dark chocolate. Earthy with hints of smoke. The taste is of hot cocoa mix and chocolate syrup. Nice alcohol presence. Earth and bitter dark chocolate at the finish. Very chocolatey. Heavy, syrupy mouthfeel that goes well with the flavors. Pretty drinkable considering the high Abv and the amount of chocolate flavor but I did down a bottle of water with this one. I think I may like this one better than Night Stalker. Overall, solid beer worth grabbing again.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 04:28:52 | More by PicoPapa

More User Reviews:

DukeX13

Illinois

4/5 rDev -1.7%

05-20-2013 02:45:29 | More by DukeX13

jakeox

Illinois

3.75/5 rDev -7.9%

05-18-2013 23:33:09 | More by jakeox

Jslay013

Massachusetts

4.25/5 rDev +4.4%

05-18-2013 22:38:42 | More by Jslay013

jono0101

Missouri

5/5 rDev +22.9%

05-18-2013 16:27:24 | More by jono0101

Honus1

Ohio

4.25/5 rDev +4.4%

05-18-2013 02:46:18 | More by Honus1

SHerninko

Pennsylvania

4.43/5 rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

S-Tapped from Craft Ale House - PA
A-dark, no light through it, small tan head, some lacing
S-good nose, choco, oak, coffee--all very subtle. The more it warms the more you smell.
T-very nice, good from start to finish with some layers. Bourbon, vanilla, some hops at the end to balance it and pull back any sweetness. Very balanced.
M-smooth and creamy, very good.
O-one of my fave Goose stouts when I am not looking for a giant malt/bourbon bomb. Very easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2013 13:37:40 | More by SHerninko

gpawned

Ohio

4/5 rDev -1.7%

05-17-2013 05:08:08 | More by gpawned

BanditoJunkie

New Jersey

4.25/5 rDev +4.4%

05-17-2013 03:02:20 | More by BanditoJunkie

Jwale73

Rhode Island

3.69/5 rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a red wine glass. Pours dark brown and pretty much opaque with a quarter-inch, light tan head that dissipates into a skim. Nose expresses some malt and a slightly oxidized quality. Taste consistent with nose; however, there is also some cocoa nibs evident in the flavor profile. Mouthfeel is medium-light with a mild, even carbonation. Texture is a bit watery and there's also a little acidity. Overall, I wasn't too impressed with this beer. The abv was certainly well-hidden; however, a bit lackluster.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2013 23:45:16 | More by Jwale73