Big John - Goose Island Beer Co.

Big JohnBig John

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BA SCORE
91
exceptional
-
905 Ratings
THE BROS
N/A

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rAvg: 4.07
pDev: 11.3%
Reviews: 385
Hads: 520

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Brewed by:
Goose Island Beer Co. visit their website
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 ckobes:
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ckobes

Illinois

5/5  rDev +22.9%

08-29-2012 14:21:23 | More by ckobes
More User Reviews:
Photo of jakeox
jakeox

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -7.9%

05-18-2013 23:33:09 | More by jakeox
Photo of Jslay013
Jslay013

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-18-2013 22:38:42 | More by Jslay013
Photo of jono0101
jono0101

Missouri

5/5  rDev +22.9%

05-18-2013 16:27:24 | More by jono0101
Photo of Honus1
Honus1

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-18-2013 02:46:18 | More by Honus1
Photo of SHerninko
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
Photo of gpawned
gpawned

Ohio

4/5  rDev -1.7%

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

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-17-2013 03:02:20 | More by BanditoJunkie
Photo of Jwale73
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
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avschmitt

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-15-2013 19:23:20 | More by avschmitt
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InVinoVeritas

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-15-2013 02:45:18 | More by InVinoVeritas
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Kahlerbock

Kansas

4.5/5  rDev +10.6%

05-14-2013 17:59:49 | More by Kahlerbock
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Absolut

California

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-14-2013 17:58:33 | More by Absolut
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baybassboy

California

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-14-2013 04:46:28 | More by baybassboy
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vrbulldog22

Ohio

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-13-2013 18:41:19 | More by vrbulldog22
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jabo134

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-12-2013 02:43:23 | More by jabo134
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cornpone

New York

3.75/5  rDev -7.9%

05-11-2013 21:17:38 | More by cornpone
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tclang

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-11-2013 14:13:21 | More by tclang
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Tpaulin

Indiana

4.75/5  rDev +16.7%

05-11-2013 04:46:41 | More by Tpaulin
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ToddHolder

Illinois

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-11-2013 01:25:34 | More by ToddHolder
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RyanTheLion13

Iowa

4.5/5  rDev +10.6%

05-10-2013 23:05:21 | More by RyanTheLion13
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UWBadgerFan4Life

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +10.6%

05-10-2013 18:44:57 | More by UWBadgerFan4Life
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SocalKicks

California

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-10-2013 07:01:02 | More by SocalKicks
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JustinMatthew

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -14%

05-09-2013 18:46:00 | More by JustinMatthew
Photo of boilermakerbrew
boilermakerbrew

Indiana

4.43/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Bottled on 12-7-12 and poured into my Founders snifter.

A- Pours black as night just like the other Goose Island imperial stout offerings. Small, 1 cm, chocolatey brown head. Retention and lacing are pretty good.

S- Big roasted malt character right up front. Lots of chocolate, both bitter and semi-sweet, comes next. The shear amount of chocolate seems to produce a dark fruit scent.

T- Starts with a combo of the big roasted malts and the prominent chocolate flavors. The chocolate takes more of a front seat in the taste and is fairly creamy. Chocolate is somewhere between sweet and bitter, somewhat alternating between the two tastes, but very dark in flavor the entire way through the drink. Ends with a slight bite from bitter chocolate and roasted malts.

M- Thick, creamy, with a little heat. Smooth as all get out despite having a fairly high level of carbonation. Sits a little heavy in the stomach, but a terrific beer for after dinner.

Overall, probably the best chocolate stout I've had. The quality of the chocolate used in this beer is evident and provides the beer with a complex blend of roasted malts and chocolate that isn't one dimensional like other chocolate stouts. I'm glad I was able to find this beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 16:55:41 | More by boilermakerbrew
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Big John from Goose Island Beer Co.
91 out of 100 based on 905 user ratings.