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 SkeeterBoganski:

SkeeterBoganski

Colorado

4.19/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Bottled 12/7/12

A - after a somewhat aggressive pour, this beer retains significant lacking that, in color, matches its head: nice deep brown mocha. The beer itself is black.

S - I smell similar malts/hops used in Nightstalker, which I don't love bc this years NS sucked my wang; that said, the roasted malts and cocoa/chocolate are appealing; a touch of booze is present on the nose too

T - this one tastes true to form: BCBS base with chocolate and powdered cocoa perhaps; some tasty heat is present; nice coffee infusion notes wo being bitter

M - damn well balanced if I do say so my damn self; the sweetness, booze, and roasted malts are in perfect harmony; good carbonation; a little cloying but I like syrupy beers

O - I really dig on this beer and it's a nice nuanced sweet imperial with all the right flavor and heat components; I didn't love the nose but only bc of my experience w NS; that said, this beer is fn great

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 00:46:50 | More by SkeeterBoganski

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