Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout
Goose Island Beer Co.
- From:
- Goose Island Beer Co.
- Illinois, United States
- Style:
- American Imperial Stout
- ABV:
- 13.2%
- Score:
- 100
- Avg:
- 4.67 | pDev: 7.92%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 1,322
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- May 14, 2026
- Added:
- Apr 22, 2010
- Wants:
- 4,299
- Gots:
- 3,185
SCORE
100
World-Class
100
World-Class
In 2010, we released the first-ever Bourbon County Stout variants and our Goose Island Bourbon County Coffee Stout has been a fan favorite ever since. For the first time since 2017, we brought back a coffee variant this year in partnership with our friends and neighbors Intelligentsia Coffee. Intelligentsia relies on Burundi for some of the cleanest, sweetest coffees in the world that ultimately complement the quality and tasting notes of Bourbon County Stout. The specific coffee blend combined with our Imperial Stout is called Turihamwe, which means “together”, and is a perfect tribute to all the hands that go into making it – from the female coffee farmers in Burundi that produced the blend, to our friends at Intelligentsia, the first brand we worked with on a variant back in 2010. The result of this “togetherness” is another exceptional coffee variant featuring rich chocolate, coffee, and caramel flavors that will appeal to coffee drinkers and beer lovers alike.
2022 Release - Intelligentsia Turihamwe
2017 Release - Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso Beans
2016 Release - Intelligentsia Fletcha Roja
2015 Release - Intelligentsia Los Delirios
2014 Release - Intelligentsia Zirikana Coffee Beans
2013 Release - Intelligentsia ‘Los Inmortales’
2012 Release - Intelligentsia La Tortuga Beans
2011 Release - Intelligentsia Anjilanaka Beans
2010 Release - Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso Beans
2022 Release - Intelligentsia Turihamwe
2017 Release - Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso Beans
2016 Release - Intelligentsia Fletcha Roja
2015 Release - Intelligentsia Los Delirios
2014 Release - Intelligentsia Zirikana Coffee Beans
2013 Release - Intelligentsia ‘Los Inmortales’
2012 Release - Intelligentsia La Tortuga Beans
2011 Release - Intelligentsia Anjilanaka Beans
2010 Release - Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso Beans
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Bishop:
Rated by Bishop from Wisconsin
4.23/5 rDev -9.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Feb 22, 2025
4.23/5 rDev -9.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Feb 22, 2025
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by rmcnealy from Illinois
3.59/5 rDev -23.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.59/5 rDev -23.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
2022 Turihamwe edition - enjoyed XMas eve 2025.
Having many of the older versions of the Bourbon County coffee's, I find this to the weakest. The best by is 9/24. I remember the previous ones being very drinkable 3,4,5 years later. The coffee generally did fade but were drinkable. Of all the Bourbon County brews, the coffees needed to be opened the quickest.
The pour appearance itself isn't that unusual. Perhaps a bit more translucent than those of the past. Not much carbonation pop, little head that diminished quickly leaving a hollow ring along the sides of the glass. Smells in the glass have just a small reminder that this was a coffee variant. The remainder in the bottle has even less. Actually the bottle has a hint of funk.
The tastes are not terrible. The darkness of a roasted cup of coffee with with a very slight tart and some roasted barrel hints. Mouthfeel is typical of a Bourbon County that is over the edge of prime. Sticks to the teeth and tongue. Bit of funk. Never had this particular variant year new, but I'd imagine it was better when fresh. If you come across it (actually found it on a shelf tonight which probably added to the subprime experience), might be worth a try for a bit longer in the event they don't make a coffee variant any longer. If $30+, I'd pass. Cheers!
Dec 25, 2025Having many of the older versions of the Bourbon County coffee's, I find this to the weakest. The best by is 9/24. I remember the previous ones being very drinkable 3,4,5 years later. The coffee generally did fade but were drinkable. Of all the Bourbon County brews, the coffees needed to be opened the quickest.
The pour appearance itself isn't that unusual. Perhaps a bit more translucent than those of the past. Not much carbonation pop, little head that diminished quickly leaving a hollow ring along the sides of the glass. Smells in the glass have just a small reminder that this was a coffee variant. The remainder in the bottle has even less. Actually the bottle has a hint of funk.
The tastes are not terrible. The darkness of a roasted cup of coffee with with a very slight tart and some roasted barrel hints. Mouthfeel is typical of a Bourbon County that is over the edge of prime. Sticks to the teeth and tongue. Bit of funk. Never had this particular variant year new, but I'd imagine it was better when fresh. If you come across it (actually found it on a shelf tonight which probably added to the subprime experience), might be worth a try for a bit longer in the event they don't make a coffee variant any longer. If $30+, I'd pass. Cheers!
Reviewed by josanguapo from Spain
4.41/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.41/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
De OkassionalBeer. En copa Teku. Jugando a Transference. Con pistachos. Muy rico perfil cafetoso que resulta muy fácil de beber para tan elevado abv. No obstante, nada que justifique su elevado precio
Jul 24, 2025
Reviewed by dkoehler42 from New York
4.09/5 rDev -12.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
4.09/5 rDev -12.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Before it got too warm, I wanted to break out a Bourbon County Stout, and this time I'm rolling with the Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout. This thing pours a dark brown that sucks light in like a black hole, and features a notably deep brown head. I only get the alcohol from the 13.2% ABV in the aroma with maybe a hint of coffee. This complex flavor starts as the high alcohol mixed with sweetness before changing over to a coffee that gets less sweet the longer it's on the tongue. Finally, the mouthfeel is surprisingly clean for a stout of this nature. I would have expected a lot more feel, but it's actually pleasant to not feel like I've been sucking on sugar or candy.
Mar 16, 2025
Reviewed by Falcon91Wolvrn03 from California
4.65/5 rDev -0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.65/5 rDev -0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Look - Pours a dark pitch-black color with a nice head that disappears quickly but leaves good lacing.
Smell - Coffee, bourbon, caramel, oak, and vanilla.
Taste - Coffee, bourbon, malt, and caramel.
Feel - Lightly carbonated, nicely smooth, nice bourbon/coffee/stout aftertaste.
Overall - This is a really good coffee stout. Not the best coffee adjunct I've ever tried (that was the Alesmith Vietnamese), but an excellent coffee stout!
Mar 13, 2025Smell - Coffee, bourbon, caramel, oak, and vanilla.
Taste - Coffee, bourbon, malt, and caramel.
Feel - Lightly carbonated, nicely smooth, nice bourbon/coffee/stout aftertaste.
Overall - This is a really good coffee stout. Not the best coffee adjunct I've ever tried (that was the Alesmith Vietnamese), but an excellent coffee stout!
Reviewed by flagmantho from Washington
4.54/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.54/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured from 500mL bottle into my BeerAdvocate teku. This is the 2022 version; though the bottle says “drink by 9/7/24”, I don’t think the little extra age is gonna hurt it at all.
Appearance: totally black with a finger of creamy tan foam atop. A beguiling stout!
Smell: richly sweet, with dates, raisins, shoe leather, tobacco, molasses, and a nice hint of coffee. I might say that it’s a bit too much on the sweet side, even for a huge stout, but man, what a great complexity!
Taste: sweet, of course, with molasses, roast, a bit of coffee, and a hint of kind of an acidity; it’s definitely a deeper flavor than the aroma, but perhaps not as delightfully complex. Still, it’s got flavor for days … excellent.
Mouthfeel: big body with a great, silky smoothness. I think I would like a bit more carbonation to bring the creaminess factor up to be the best it can be, but this is still a damn rich, smooth beer.
Overall: really enjoying this beer; I’m glad I happened across it at a bottleshop in town. It’s been on my “wants” list for quite some time and I had no idea it was available out here in Seattle!
Jan 22, 2025Appearance: totally black with a finger of creamy tan foam atop. A beguiling stout!
Smell: richly sweet, with dates, raisins, shoe leather, tobacco, molasses, and a nice hint of coffee. I might say that it’s a bit too much on the sweet side, even for a huge stout, but man, what a great complexity!
Taste: sweet, of course, with molasses, roast, a bit of coffee, and a hint of kind of an acidity; it’s definitely a deeper flavor than the aroma, but perhaps not as delightfully complex. Still, it’s got flavor for days … excellent.
Mouthfeel: big body with a great, silky smoothness. I think I would like a bit more carbonation to bring the creaminess factor up to be the best it can be, but this is still a damn rich, smooth beer.
Overall: really enjoying this beer; I’m glad I happened across it at a bottleshop in town. It’s been on my “wants” list for quite some time and I had no idea it was available out here in Seattle!
Reviewed by nwalke16 from Michigan
4.99/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
4.99/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Best imperial stout I’ve had in my life! It has the right coffee chocolate notes with the right amount of strength from the bourbon barrel aging. A total life changer!
Dec 30, 2024
Reviewed by jjamadorphd from Florida
4.31/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.31/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Another great variety off The Original - This one has a great coffee flavor, good roast, an nice blend of booze, all of it across all aspects of the beer. Very glad I have had this on Christmas Day no less...
Dec 25, 2024
Reviewed by HoppingMadMonk from New Jersey
4.56/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.56/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Solid black appearance with medium light carbonation and an above average body
Aroma is malt,roasted malt, dark fruit, bakers dark chocolate and alcohol. Coffee is almost non existent.
Taste is almost completely identical to aroma
Overall its an excellent beer even with the coffee fading
Dec 08, 2024Aroma is malt,roasted malt, dark fruit, bakers dark chocolate and alcohol. Coffee is almost non existent.
Taste is almost completely identical to aroma
Overall its an excellent beer even with the coffee fading
Reviewed by Orca from Washington
4.4/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.4/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
500mL bottle (2022, best by 9/26/2024) into a tulip. Pours an opaque black with minimal head.
Aroma is rich and dense—dark chocolate, coffee, bitter roasted malt, bourbon, vanilla, toasted coconut.
Taste is likewise complex and dessert-like. Bitter cocoa, caramel, vanilla, black coffee, booze.
Mouthfeel is slick and chewy, coats the palate, lingering aftertaste.
Overall a solid coffee twist on the classic BCBS.
Nov 24, 2024Aroma is rich and dense—dark chocolate, coffee, bitter roasted malt, bourbon, vanilla, toasted coconut.
Taste is likewise complex and dessert-like. Bitter cocoa, caramel, vanilla, black coffee, booze.
Mouthfeel is slick and chewy, coats the palate, lingering aftertaste.
Overall a solid coffee twist on the classic BCBS.
Reviewed by BubbleBobble from New York
3.74/5 rDev -19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.74/5 rDev -19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours from the bottle black with a fizzy 1" head that quickly dissipates, very little lacing. Nose is black licorice, molasses, dark fruit; charred barrel; alkaline cocoa powder, chalky roast, blackstrap molasses as it warms. What doesn't come across is coffee. Taste essentially follows - dark roasted fruit (stewed figs, cherries, and plums); woody barrel; salty licorice and molasses; dark chocolate. As it warms, boozier bourbon elements emerge (bourbon, vanilla, smoke, char), but still, very little coffee flavor. Mouthfeel is far lighter than other BCBS variants, and there's some prickly carbonation to boot. This is certainly a nice sipper, but as a coffee adjunct stout, it doesn't measure up to many in its class. Additionally, there are ample non-adjunct stouts that express more coffee flavor than this does.
Apr 28, 2024
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