Liquid Inspiration Stout
Goose Island Beer Co.

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From:
Goose Island Beer Co.
 
Illinois, United States
Style:
Oatmeal Stout
ABV:
7.5%
Score:
87
Avg:
3.89 | pDev: 9.51%
Reviews:
19
Ratings:
51
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Feb 03, 2015
Added:
Jun 24, 2008
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  2
No description / notes.
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Ratings by joe1510:
Photo of joe1510
Reviewed by joe1510 from Illinois

4.12/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
64oz Growler
$12
Goose Clybourn

Liquid Inspiration chugs from the growler to the glass midnight black. When backlit blood red highlights show through only were the light shines. A creamy beige head grew to a modest one finger on the pour and eventually faded to a skim coat and thick collar. The receding head leaves jagged mountains of lacing on its way down.

Goose Island was generous with the hops in this stout. Bittersweet baker's chocolate and roastiness are first and foremost laying down a strong foundation for the hops. Dark roasted coffee grounds swim through here and there but freshly cut pine needles and grapefruit pith fill my nose. The hop profile plays off the roastiness nicely. As a matter of fact the more I stick my nose in the glass the more I like the big roastiness along with the big hoppy character.

Bittersweet chocolate jumps out immediately, almost cocoa-like, segueing into the coffee grounds and roastiness with little effort mid-palate. Mild fusel alcohol rises up enough to cause a drying sensation while pine needle, resinous hoppiness makes its presence known on the finish. The swallow pulls out bitterness from the roasted qualities but more so the hop presence.

The medium body runs along the tongue rather quickly with help from the lively carbonation. While it works through there is a velvety creamy feel on the tongue. The alcohol leaves behind some spiciness while the hops eave a moderate bitterness.

This stout is made for drinking. The higher then average carbonation keeps this beer flowing and the dry finish makes me need another drink. This growler will disappear fast today.

This is another good stout from Goose Island's Clybourn pub. I've become a huge fan of generously hopping these malt driven styles as of late. This is a damn good stout worthy of a growler fill anytime.
Sep 28, 2008
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.31 by misternebbie from Pennsylvania

Feb 03, 2015
 
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Jul 29, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by rdooley from Texas

May 29, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by XmnwildX12 from Minnesota

Nov 28, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by jaydoc from Kansas

Nov 23, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by cadaugherty from Illinois

May 09, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by spycow from Illinois

Jan 17, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Keener from Indiana

Jan 13, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by thinwhiteduke from Illinois

Jan 12, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by mkennedy119 from Illinois

Jan 06, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by briiguy from Illinois

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Rated: 4 by Demosthenes503 from Illinois

Dec 12, 2012
 
Rated: 4.5 by olafphysics from Minnesota

Dec 09, 2012
Photo of rhoadsrage
Reviewed by rhoadsrage from Illinois

3.65/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3
(Served in a tulip glass)

A- This beer pours a jet black body with a thick meniscus of tan head that is sticky. A bit to dense to see any carbonation.

S- The mellow chalk note gives way to a deep chocolate malt aroma

T- The cream and fresh chocolate malt flavor has a slight soapy and fruity flavor that grows a bit as the beer opens. There is no hop bitterness but more of a gentle roasted black malt bitterness that lingers in the after taste.

M- The creamy thick texture is smooth with no alcohol heat noticed.

O- The soapy fruity flavor covers the malt a bit as it opens which is already a bit light. I didn't get much hop flavor out of this as the description mentioned.
Nov 28, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by falconxman from Illinois

Nov 05, 2012
 
Rated: 3.25 by Dontcounttoday from Illinois

Oct 11, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by t0rin0 from California

Oct 07, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by ctrevino from Indiana

Jun 29, 2012
Photo of jegross2
Reviewed by jegross2 from Illinois

3.91/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Reviewing the Liquid Inspiration Stout from Goose Island Brewing Company. This beer is sort of the successor to Goose Island's original, and now retired, oatmeal stout.
Score: 89

10 oz snifter pour at the Goose Island Brewpub in Wrigleyville on 03/31/12. Review is from iPhone notes.

Appearance: Jet black color and totally opaque from what I can tell in this modestly lit establishment. I put my iPhone on full brightness, and none of the light cut through the beer. Served with a finger-plus of khaki-colored head that slowly settles into a thin layer. Awesome lacing and retention. 4.5/5

Smell: Oats, roast, coffee, and citrus hops. Light chocolate. 3.5/5

Taste: This is a surprisingly hoppy oatmeal stout. Roasted coffee and piney citrus hops of upfront. Toasted oats and a light smokiness too. Nice bitter blend of raw biter chocolate, coffee and hops. Finishes with oats and hops, but only the oats flavor lingers. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, light carbonation. Oily mouthfeel. Slightly bitter and citrusy finish. 4/5

Overall: Essentially black IPA with oat characteristics. Reminds me of a hoppy Nw Glarus Road Slush. This is a solid beer that I would certainly drink again if offered, but the $7 price tag for a 10 oz pour, especially for what this beer is, gives me some pause (by comparison, a six pack of Road Slush will only cost you a buck more). The beer is well balanced and not overly hoppy. I could see some IPA haters somewhat enjoying this one.

Recommendation: Definitely have a glass if you see this one on tap.

Pairings: Reuben on rye.

Cost: $7 for a 10 oz snifter.
May 01, 2012
Liquid Inspiration Stout from Goose Island Beer Co.
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 51 ratings