Big John - Goose Island Beer Co.

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BA SCORE
91
exceptional
-
911 Ratings

rAvg: 4.07
pDev: 11.3%
Reviews: 385
Hads: 526

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 kirok1999:

kirok1999

Ohio

3.9/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours black with a lingering light brown ring around the snifter and bits of thin foam floating around.
Smells caramely sweet, slight cherry and bits of wood and charcoal, which really matches the taste. There's a funky dark note in the finish, kinda musky and I'm not quite sure how to describe it. The finish lingers for quite a while. Low carbonation and a smooth dense mouthfeel.
This gets funkier as it warms up. It gets a lot darker and a bit dryer. It still finishes well but there's kind of a barnyard funk. I wonder what a few years in the bottle will do to it. The alcohol is well hidden up front but maybe it also contributes to the way the finish lingers.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2011 02:26:02 | More by kirok1999

More User Reviews:

elec

Minnesota

4.75/5 rDev +16.7%

05-21-2013 02:40:54 | More by elec

ackeeper

Illinois

4.25/5 rDev +4.4%

05-21-2013 01:25:39 | More by ackeeper

pstam87

Illinois

4.75/5 rDev +16.7%

05-20-2013 23:37:10 | More by pstam87

CanisMajor

Indiana

4/5 rDev -1.7%

05-20-2013 22:25:13 | More by CanisMajor

InspectorBob

New Jersey

4/5 rDev -1.7%

05-20-2013 16:23:45 | More by InspectorBob

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