Bourbon County Brand Stout
Goose Island Beer Co.
Beer Geek Stats
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- From:
- Goose Island Beer Co.
- Illinois, United States
- Style:
- Stout - American Imperial
Ranked #26 - ABV:
- 14.7%
- Score:
- 100
Ranked #59 - Avg:
- 4.6 | pDev: 9.35%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Yesterday at 03:08 AM
- Added:
- Jun 26, 2003
- Wants:
- 2,890
- Gots:
- 8,017
SCORE
100
World-Class
100
World-Class
Notes:
The Original Bourbon Barrel aged Imperial Stout. Our primary focus every year is to make this beer the best that it’s ever been, with the best ingredients, which includes the finest of bourbon whiskey barrels. This year’s Bourbon County Stout is aged in a mix of bourbon barrels from a variety of whiskey distilleries. Barrel-aged for a year to develop the complexity that only time can provide, Bourbon County Stout boasts a unique blend of flavors such as fudge, vanilla and caramel — topped off with a rich, complex mouthfeel.
IBU: 60
HOPS: MILLENNIUM
MALTS: 2 ROW, BLACK MALT, CARAMEL, CHOCOLATE, MUNICH 10, ROASTED BARLEY
IBU: 60
HOPS: MILLENNIUM
MALTS: 2 ROW, BLACK MALT, CARAMEL, CHOCOLATE, MUNICH 10, ROASTED BARLEY
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
4.5 by Dovers from Wisconsin on Yesterday at 03:08 AM
4.91 by cold_beer on Friday at 02:31 AM
4.49 by eluvah from New York on Friday at 01:43 AM
3.77 by sbradley41 from Pennsylvania on May 14, 2022
4.95/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
by Elemental19xx from Illinois
This is a great beer and dont let anyone tell you otherwise. At 14.6% its very smooth and makes for a great special occasion beer. The only even slightly negative thing i could say about it is that it may be a slight bit too thick to drink at any time. If i was full i dont know that id enjoy one. In my opinion this beer is so good that i think people are now talking bad about it just to go against the grain and feel like they better than everyone else who likes it.
May 11, 2022
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
by Elemental19xx from Illinois
This is a great beer and dont let anyone tell you otherwise. At 14.6% its very smooth and makes for a great special occasion beer. The only even slightly negative thing i could say about it is that it may be a slight bit too thick to drink at any time. If i was full i dont know that id enjoy one. In my opinion this beer is so good that i think people are now talking bad about it just to go against the grain and feel like they better than everyone else who likes it.
May 11, 2022
4.38/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
by Iamaskier from Idaho
Not much of a head. Very rich on the nose; bourbon, figs, cola, milk chocolate, and a hint of vanilla. Taste is heavy on the bourbon, with figs, honey, and chocolate, followed by roasted malt and coffee. Hints of vanilla and oak come and go. The bourbon really dominates, more than just about any other BA stout I’ve had. Feel is a bit oily, and the alcohol warmth approaches that of a wine.
I understand why it’s a classic. This beer has some kick, but does so without becoming cloying or unbalanced. Not my favorite, but great nonetheless.
May 07, 2022
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
by Iamaskier from Idaho
Not much of a head. Very rich on the nose; bourbon, figs, cola, milk chocolate, and a hint of vanilla. Taste is heavy on the bourbon, with figs, honey, and chocolate, followed by roasted malt and coffee. Hints of vanilla and oak come and go. The bourbon really dominates, more than just about any other BA stout I’ve had. Feel is a bit oily, and the alcohol warmth approaches that of a wine.
I understand why it’s a classic. This beer has some kick, but does so without becoming cloying or unbalanced. Not my favorite, but great nonetheless.
May 07, 2022
4 by Affinity from Missouri on May 01, 2022
2.22/5 rDev -51.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2
by Fedorable
It's obviously a good stout, but it's just too much for me. Very syrupy, very sweet. You get vivid notes of chocolate and bourbon and toffee yet none of it is enjoyable. It simply has none of what I look for in a beer, or even a stout.
Apr 20, 2022
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2
by Fedorable
It's obviously a good stout, but it's just too much for me. Very syrupy, very sweet. You get vivid notes of chocolate and bourbon and toffee yet none of it is enjoyable. It simply has none of what I look for in a beer, or even a stout.
Apr 20, 2022
4.69/5 rDev +2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by ryan_jayke
Awesome beer in every way. A true favorite.
L: Dark! Dark and thick as motor oil. Even the short head is caramel in color. It is beautiful!
S: Nice aroma akin to the bourbon barrels in which it was aged. The mixture of malty stout and bourbon is heavenly.
T: This isn't an overly complex stout, and it delivers very well on what it promises. Malt, bourbon, and stout. This isn't too say that nothing else is going on. There are underlying flavors that play well together, and the concert of all the flavors together are well-balanced.
F: Thick and smooth! Matches the look beautifully.
O: I love this beer. I scored it shy of perfect because I want there to be even more of everything I described. But maybe leaving me wanting more is what makes this beer so amazing.
Apr 15, 2022
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by ryan_jayke
Awesome beer in every way. A true favorite.
L: Dark! Dark and thick as motor oil. Even the short head is caramel in color. It is beautiful!
S: Nice aroma akin to the bourbon barrels in which it was aged. The mixture of malty stout and bourbon is heavenly.
T: This isn't an overly complex stout, and it delivers very well on what it promises. Malt, bourbon, and stout. This isn't too say that nothing else is going on. There are underlying flavors that play well together, and the concert of all the flavors together are well-balanced.
F: Thick and smooth! Matches the look beautifully.
O: I love this beer. I scored it shy of perfect because I want there to be even more of everything I described. But maybe leaving me wanting more is what makes this beer so amazing.
Apr 15, 2022
4.61 by TXRobbo from Texas on Apr 08, 2022
4.68 by Red5StandingBy from Maryland on Apr 04, 2022
4.66 by Curt3 from New Jersey on Mar 20, 2022
4.73 by spicychimichurri on Mar 12, 2022
4.8/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
by tradershmulie from Connecticut
Exceptional.
Have had a few bottles, different vintages. Does not disappoint. Definitely a top beer for any special occasion.
The pour was ordinary, no great head.
Nice aroma.
Delicious to drink. Truly outstanding. Flavors come through, but not too much. Smooth and silky. It is on the sweet side, but not quite overbearing, which makes it stand out.
ABV truly hidden.
World Class.
Mar 02, 2022
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
by tradershmulie from Connecticut
Exceptional.
Have had a few bottles, different vintages. Does not disappoint. Definitely a top beer for any special occasion.
The pour was ordinary, no great head.
Nice aroma.
Delicious to drink. Truly outstanding. Flavors come through, but not too much. Smooth and silky. It is on the sweet side, but not quite overbearing, which makes it stand out.
ABV truly hidden.
World Class.
Mar 02, 2022
4.63/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by Perioddicals from Texas
L - 2021 vintage. Shared half of a 16.9 oz bottle poured into a snifter. Pours opaque black with a 1 finger light tan head. Has significant lacing as well as alcohol legs from the 14% high ABV.
S - Sweet up front. Vanilla. Cola and chocolate. Alcohol. Dark fruit. Raisin or cherry. Some bread scents in the back.
T - Sweet taste as follows scent. Lots of dark fruit (prune, date, raisin) up front. Almost the taste of a port wine. Caramel and vanilla in there. A slight wood or oak. Chocolate notes as well. Love the complexity of each taste providing a little bit different each time. Not boozy even after is warms up some further along like other high ABV beers.
F - Really good medium body mouthfeel. Lower carbonation from and aged Beer. Very smooth and drinkable at high ABV
O - This is a great beer. I know there are a lot of "flavors" in this line now, but I tried the base beer of the 2021 batch, and it was World-Class. Well worth picking up and adding to the annual rotation.
Feb 26, 2022
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by Perioddicals from Texas
L - 2021 vintage. Shared half of a 16.9 oz bottle poured into a snifter. Pours opaque black with a 1 finger light tan head. Has significant lacing as well as alcohol legs from the 14% high ABV.
S - Sweet up front. Vanilla. Cola and chocolate. Alcohol. Dark fruit. Raisin or cherry. Some bread scents in the back.
T - Sweet taste as follows scent. Lots of dark fruit (prune, date, raisin) up front. Almost the taste of a port wine. Caramel and vanilla in there. A slight wood or oak. Chocolate notes as well. Love the complexity of each taste providing a little bit different each time. Not boozy even after is warms up some further along like other high ABV beers.
F - Really good medium body mouthfeel. Lower carbonation from and aged Beer. Very smooth and drinkable at high ABV
O - This is a great beer. I know there are a lot of "flavors" in this line now, but I tried the base beer of the 2021 batch, and it was World-Class. Well worth picking up and adding to the annual rotation.
Feb 26, 2022
4.84/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by Bill_Kay
2019 vintage, fantastic expression of the style. Smooth, nice punch of vanilla, with a cacao nibs forward finish.
Feb 25, 2022
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by Bill_Kay
2019 vintage, fantastic expression of the style. Smooth, nice punch of vanilla, with a cacao nibs forward finish.
Feb 25, 2022
4.5 by ryand14 from Michigan on Feb 11, 2022
4.36/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by Gdabeast from California
Delicious stout filled with oak influenced flavors. The one had the pleasure of consuming was from 2015, and the bourbon flavors have softened a little, doesn't seem as forward with the alcohol, just well married into the vanilla and oak flavors. Very soft mouthfeel.
Feb 08, 2022
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by Gdabeast from California
Delicious stout filled with oak influenced flavors. The one had the pleasure of consuming was from 2015, and the bourbon flavors have softened a little, doesn't seem as forward with the alcohol, just well married into the vanilla and oak flavors. Very soft mouthfeel.
Feb 08, 2022
4.32/5 rDev -6.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by CastleBravo
This is my first review on BeerAdvocate!
Pouring this from a 16.9 oz bottle, the pour produces a nice finger or so of tan head that dissipates after a few minutes. A bit of lace is left around the edge, with light head left bubbling in the middle. Overall a very dark, nearly black pour gives off a strong boozy scent not uncommon in barrel-aged stouts. The aroma is also quite sweet, which for me is always a good sign of a stout with a good body and careful construction. So far, so good.
The first taste is very, very heavy on the tongue. This is an Imperial Stout with a lot going on. It sticks to the inside of your mouth like a stout should and has a sweet-hot initial hit, likely thanks to the very high ABV of 14%. There is a certain candy flavor up front that I am not a huge fan of, but it doesn't stay around for long. Afterward the taste dissolves into almost a cola-like flavor that lingers for a long time. It feels like there are a ton of flavors, including coffee and dried fruit that almost overwhelm anything else.
This is a fine beer. It isn't my favorite stout of all time, but it is an American Imperial Stout, and is amongst the most well-crafted I have ever had. I can see this being someone's go-too Stout when it's in season, but the flavor profile is just a little too sweet for me.
Still, very good.
Feb 05, 2022
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by CastleBravo
This is my first review on BeerAdvocate!
Pouring this from a 16.9 oz bottle, the pour produces a nice finger or so of tan head that dissipates after a few minutes. A bit of lace is left around the edge, with light head left bubbling in the middle. Overall a very dark, nearly black pour gives off a strong boozy scent not uncommon in barrel-aged stouts. The aroma is also quite sweet, which for me is always a good sign of a stout with a good body and careful construction. So far, so good.
The first taste is very, very heavy on the tongue. This is an Imperial Stout with a lot going on. It sticks to the inside of your mouth like a stout should and has a sweet-hot initial hit, likely thanks to the very high ABV of 14%. There is a certain candy flavor up front that I am not a huge fan of, but it doesn't stay around for long. Afterward the taste dissolves into almost a cola-like flavor that lingers for a long time. It feels like there are a ton of flavors, including coffee and dried fruit that almost overwhelm anything else.
This is a fine beer. It isn't my favorite stout of all time, but it is an American Imperial Stout, and is amongst the most well-crafted I have ever had. I can see this being someone's go-too Stout when it's in season, but the flavor profile is just a little too sweet for me.
Still, very good.
Feb 05, 2022
4.9 by BigCrimpin on Feb 01, 2022
5 by Colton333 on Jan 29, 2022
5 by jtc1927 from New York on Jan 26, 2022
4.41 by benjaminsa from Vermont on Jan 23, 2022
4.68 by USAF-Mike from California on Jan 22, 2022
4.52 by not2quick from Missouri on Jan 19, 2022
3.2 by Larry20 on Jan 19, 2022
4.68/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
by NiceTaps from New Jersey
16.9 ounce bottle, dated August 11, 2017. 14.1% abv.
Black in color with a cocoa tan cap, rather thin, ample lacing.
Aromas are beautiful; vanilla and caramel, bourbon, charred oak barrel, licorice.
Flavors come as vanilla, chocolate, and a touch of licorice. Smoked whiskey and dark fruits loiter in the background.
Smooth, rich, and strong sipping quality stout.
BCBS, as good as it gets.
Jan 18, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
by NiceTaps from New Jersey
16.9 ounce bottle, dated August 11, 2017. 14.1% abv.
Black in color with a cocoa tan cap, rather thin, ample lacing.
Aromas are beautiful; vanilla and caramel, bourbon, charred oak barrel, licorice.
Flavors come as vanilla, chocolate, and a touch of licorice. Smoked whiskey and dark fruits loiter in the background.
Smooth, rich, and strong sipping quality stout.
BCBS, as good as it gets.
Jan 18, 2022
1.96/5 rDev -57.4%
look: 4 | smell: 1 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2
by jimmah120 from Minnesota
I won't do a traditional review, except to say that this thing is incredibly overrated. Maybe it was better once, before A-B bought bought out Goose Island. I only tried this in the last couple years and it is like rubbing alcohol mixed with equal parts soy sauce, brown sugar, and burned chocolate syrup, all served in a rubber boot. Not great for almost $20 a bottle.
I'd rather have literally any cheap bourbon off the shelf drop shotted into the worst imperial stout available. The emperor wears no clothes
Jan 17, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 1 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2
by jimmah120 from Minnesota
I won't do a traditional review, except to say that this thing is incredibly overrated. Maybe it was better once, before A-B bought bought out Goose Island. I only tried this in the last couple years and it is like rubbing alcohol mixed with equal parts soy sauce, brown sugar, and burned chocolate syrup, all served in a rubber boot. Not great for almost $20 a bottle.
I'd rather have literally any cheap bourbon off the shelf drop shotted into the worst imperial stout available. The emperor wears no clothes
Jan 17, 2022
4.86 by Calabash from Pennsylvania on Jan 15, 2022
4.61 by Declanisadog from Georgia on Jan 15, 2022
4.75/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by backblast from Alaska
Pours black with a thin tan head that dissipated quickly.
Taste is dark roasted malts and dark savory fruits mixed with toffee/treacle. Lots of chocolate mixed with charred barrel flavors and a tad of vanilla mixed with tobacco. Viscous mouthfeel and lingering aftertaste. Nice one!
Jan 14, 2022
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by backblast from Alaska
Pours black with a thin tan head that dissipated quickly.
Taste is dark roasted malts and dark savory fruits mixed with toffee/treacle. Lots of chocolate mixed with charred barrel flavors and a tad of vanilla mixed with tobacco. Viscous mouthfeel and lingering aftertaste. Nice one!
Jan 14, 2022
1.26/5 rDev -72.6%
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 2
by BeenrndtheWorld
I love Bourbon Aged beers.
This is nothing but a coca-cola Chinese version of the most disgusting beer i have ever had,
I bought 1 bottle of the Cherry Stout and Brand Stout.
I have never dumped that much beer down the drain in my life !!!
This was the most horrible thing I have ever tried to drink :(
Jan 04, 2022
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 2
by BeenrndtheWorld
I love Bourbon Aged beers.
This is nothing but a coca-cola Chinese version of the most disgusting beer i have ever had,
I bought 1 bottle of the Cherry Stout and Brand Stout.
I have never dumped that much beer down the drain in my life !!!
This was the most horrible thing I have ever tried to drink :(
Jan 04, 2022
4.62 by irishevans from California on Jan 03, 2022
4.5 by AsWeSpiralDown from Illinois on Jan 02, 2022
5/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by Dalkri from Massachusetts
2020 vintage. This is hands down the best beer I've ever had. Tons of chocolate, tons of bourbon and a nice pleasant bitterness to bring it to completion. This beer truly deserves it's reputation for greatness.
Jan 01, 2022
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by Dalkri from Massachusetts
2020 vintage. This is hands down the best beer I've ever had. Tons of chocolate, tons of bourbon and a nice pleasant bitterness to bring it to completion. This beer truly deserves it's reputation for greatness.
Jan 01, 2022
4.37/5 rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by msdonohoe
Smooth, refined. Wonderful bourbon finish. Loved it.
Dec 30, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by msdonohoe
Smooth, refined. Wonderful bourbon finish. Loved it.
Dec 30, 2021
4.83 by panther69 from Nebraska on Dec 28, 2021
4.36 by kp7 from Massachusetts on Dec 26, 2021
4.25 by Resistance88 from California on Dec 26, 2021
4.67 by jslywiak from California on Dec 22, 2021
Bourbon County Brand Stout from Goose Island Beer Co.
Beer rating:
100 out of
100 with
13320 ratings