Bramble Rye Bourbon County Brand Stout - Goose Island Beer Co.

KickInTheChalice

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Lucky enough to have been able to crack open 3 bottles of this already. Served cold (why, Goose Island, why?) at Goose Island Wrigley in a snifter, served warmer than cellar temp in a snifter (thanks Dunt), and served at cellar temp in a snifter.

At this stage the appearance of a Bourbon County Stout or variation is as familiar as the back of my hand. The thick, viscous black liquid that seeps out of the bottle before settling into a pool of thick, black tar. A small mocha froth rests on top before fading to a creamy ring around the edges. This head is best created and maintained with a pour at a warmer temperature.

The aroma is lighter on the additional treatment (Bramble fruit addition) than some of the other Bourbon County variants. The extra barrel aging really smooths out the nose, blending roast malt, dark chocolate, coffee, and vanilla very nicely. The rye whiskey character does not depart much from the original barrel, at least not that I can detect. The blackberry and raspberry fruit flavors come through so lightly. There is also a slightly off aroma that attaches itself to the fruit. The berry aroma is fuller at warmer temperatures, but so are the off notes.

At first the bourbon county comes through with strong intensity. Dark roasted malt, molasses, vanilla, bitter chocolate, some coffee, and a hint of smoke are wrapped up in a spicy rye whiskey flavor. The whiskey is lighter and less boozy and harsh than in the fresh base beer. The blackberry and raspberry flavor comes in slowly, unleashing a slightly tart berry flavor in the middle. This tartness combines with the bitter coffee and chocolate in a mildly unpleasant way. Some additional vanilla sweetness would actually reduce this conflict of flavors in my mind.

The body is typically full and mouth-coating. The carbonation is creamy, the body is chewy, smooth, and full-bodied, and overall I get a full, intense experience. Only a little bit of noticeable booze, although it does warm the stomach.

The rye whiskey barrels did not seem to have much impact on my enjoyment of this variant compared to others, but the fruit and associated off notes drop it a little bit below the regular version for me.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2012 16:55:31 | More by KickInTheChalice

mnphish

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

06-15-2013 04:26:56 | More by mnphish

CaptPajamaShark

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +11.2%

06-13-2013 18:51:47 | More by CaptPajamaShark

gueuzedreg

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

06-13-2013 00:37:44 | More by gueuzedreg

soldat329x

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +11.2%

06-12-2013 03:49:56 | More by soldat329x

BrandonDZ

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

06-11-2013 13:42:52 | More by BrandonDZ

Honus1

Ohio

5/5  rDev +17.1%

06-10-2013 12:59:32 | More by Honus1

BMart

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +11.2%

06-07-2013 18:34:16 | More by BMart

NathanFink

Iowa

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

06-04-2013 13:34:07 | More by NathanFink

Scalzo

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

06-04-2013 05:40:52 | More by Scalzo

redsand22

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +11.2%

06-03-2013 18:59:46 | More by redsand22

Prager62

Indiana

4.75/5  rDev +11.2%

06-03-2013 01:08:06 | More by Prager62

ChiSox_Stout_Drinker

Illinois

5/5  rDev +17.1%

06-02-2013 16:23:05 | More by ChiSox_Stout_Drinker

MinorThreat

Colorado

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

06-01-2013 19:03:59 | More by MinorThreat

beerdrifter

Germany

4.28/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Picked this up with a great trade from Evan! Blackish pour with a small caramel-colored head that fades really quickly leaving a flat looking beer with no lacing. Wow! The nose is exactly what I was hoping for. The whiskey and berries are huge! The raspberry and blackberry aromas remind me of fresh jam. Also getting hints of oak, dark fruits, and some subtle cocoa. The taste is rich and bold with the berries and booze dominating. The oak and whiskey really emerge as it comes to temp along with hints of dark chocolate, vanilla, and dark fruit, specifically black cherries. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with perfect carbonation, especially considering it seemed very flat visually. It's bordering on being thick and syrupy, but really smooth with a nice subtle tart finish. Overall, this is yet another awesome offering from Goose Island. Although I'm not a fan of fruit beers, and this one definitely leans to the sweeter side, it kept me entertained and really pulled off what I think it was intending. And the high ABV was not evident at all. Definitely a sipper, but a very enjoyable one.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2013 17:29:39 | More by beerdrifter

Hoozierdaddy

Illinois

4/5  rDev -6.3%

05-25-2013 19:31:13 | More by Hoozierdaddy

Eriktheipaman

California

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

05-24-2013 12:32:07 | More by Eriktheipaman

ackeeper

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +11.2%

05-21-2013 01:27:56 | More by ackeeper

mendvicdog

Maryland

4/5  rDev -6.3%

05-20-2013 19:10:27 | More by mendvicdog

jakeox

Illinois

5/5  rDev +17.1%

05-19-2013 00:43:20 | More by jakeox

cdmillard

Maryland

4/5  rDev -6.3%

05-18-2013 22:41:58 | More by cdmillard

stxSS07

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -12.2%

05-16-2013 15:40:52 | More by stxSS07

Shilt

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

05-15-2013 15:56:31 | More by Shilt

Davit

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

05-15-2013 03:17:07 | More by Davit

4amepiphany

Illinois

4.99/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I love BCS. I love dark fruits. This was my first BCS variant that I tried, and damn, this was good.

A: Typical BCS. Dark. Thin, thin head which disappears with the quicks. Love giving it a swirl or three.

S: Dark berries. BCS.

T: The berries and BCS begin to have a playdate on my palate. I let it soak into my tongue and the berries stay on it the whole way. A wonderful blend!

M: Sticky, chewy, like BCS should be.

Only Cherry Rye tops this for me, but I love cherries.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 04:55:07 | More by 4amepiphany