Red Wine Barrel Aged Bourbon County Stout - Goose Island Beer Co.

WankelEngine

Illinois

4.98/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Had on-tap at Goose Island 25th Anniversary Block Party
Listed as Bourbon County Napa; I believe this is the same beer.
Generous 4oz portion poured into a plastic cup.

A: Standard Bourbon County appearance. Black as night with hints of mocha when held up to the light. Small, dark tan head fades quickly to nothing.

S: Tart fruitiness leaps out of the glass, followed by the standard chocolate, coconut, vanilla, coffee you find in any BCBS.

T: Powerful fruit flavors of raspberry and red cherry soar over top of a chocolate / roast backbone. Very tart with a fairly dry finish presumably thanks to the wine barrel. The vinous character is very potent, which sets it on par with the base beer. Not overpowering but very prominent. The vinous character blends surprisingly well with the deep chocolate notes and roasty character of the base beer. Vanilla, coconut, oak, and leather are all present as well, with a lingering heat on the finish.

M: Thick and viscous like any BCBS variant, but with a somewhat drier finish. Lightly carbonation. Mild heat from the alcohol, but it complements the style and adds to the experience.

O: Amazing stuff. I had this along side Rare and preferred this variant. It is far and away the variant least like the base BCBS that I have had the pleasure of sampling. The wine barrel makes a very potent and powerful contribution to the overall flavor. The wide range of flavors somehow meld together perfectly, with the tart fruit mingling with dark chocolate, espresso and vanilla. One of the best beers I have ever had.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2013 18:12:21 | More by WankelEngine

MasterSki

Illinois

4.48/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at FoBAB. Served in a plastic cup, multiple tasters consumed.

A - Looked like pretty much every other variant; on the Apple Brandy really stood out to be honest. Thin tan foam settles to a thin collar, no lace. Black body with brown glints at the edges.

S - This one is super vinous and jammy, with big grape notes and dark fruits. Not even sure this should be called 'Bourbon' County Stout, seeing as it's all red wine here. Some chocolate truffle and caramel support the vinous notes, and there's fairly mild oak present. Almost like a chocolate port in some ways. Really unique.

T - The taste is a bit heavier on the base beer, with dialed down red wine and grape flavors, and your usual base beer notes of dark fruits, chocolate cake, and light roast. Not much oak here, but some contributes to the vinous finish.

M - Full-bodied, like a big Cabernet, with a good deal of tannins. A tad dryer than your usual BCS, but not so much as the Apple Brandy variant. Low carbonation, viscous and chewy, with well-hidden alcohol.

D - Really unique, and more successful than the Napa version I tried at Stoutfest in my opinion. This one was kind of polarizing and people either loved or hated it; I was one of the former and I'd gladly have this again.

Serving type: on-tap

01-04-2013 22:12:02 | More by MasterSki