35th Anniversary Cuvée
Goose Island Beer Co.
- From:
- Goose Island Beer Co.
- Illinois, United States
- Style:
- American Strong Ale
Ranked #30 - ABV:
- 14.7%
- Score:
- 94
Ranked #3,090 - Avg:
- 4.4 | pDev: 5.45%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 10
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Dec 01, 2025
- Added:
- May 15, 2023
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 1
SCORE
94
Outstanding
94
Outstanding
Chicago is home to a long list of respected craft breweries. In 1988, it was a different story. Inspired by English brewing traditions and a burgeoning American craft movement, Goose Island opened and provided many with their first taste of locally made beer. Over the next three and a half decades, they’ve crafted many iconic brews, achieving worldwide recognition for their pioneering approach to barrel aged beer.
For their 35th Anniversary, Goose Island offers this unique cuvee of five different barrel aged beers. The blend consists of 48% English style barley wine, 28% oatmeal stout, 13% rye stout, 8% American imperial stout, and 3% Belgian style quad - aged in a mixture of bourbon, rum, and cognac barrels for 18-36 months.
The nose here is breathtaking, offering an alluring mix of dark chocolate ganache, walnuts, cherries, and vanilla bean. Voluptuous across the tongue, it delivers flavors or rum soaked raisins and chocolate covered cherries, along with a dusting of allspice. The finish is long and contemplative, offering notes of mint, sassafras, cocoa nib, cloves, orange zest, date, and plum. Perhaps the deftest accomplishment here is delivering all this decadence without being cloyingly sweet. The spicy quadruple competent, and oak tannins extracted during extended aging are undoubtedly key components of this masterwork.
For their 35th Anniversary, Goose Island offers this unique cuvee of five different barrel aged beers. The blend consists of 48% English style barley wine, 28% oatmeal stout, 13% rye stout, 8% American imperial stout, and 3% Belgian style quad - aged in a mixture of bourbon, rum, and cognac barrels for 18-36 months.
The nose here is breathtaking, offering an alluring mix of dark chocolate ganache, walnuts, cherries, and vanilla bean. Voluptuous across the tongue, it delivers flavors or rum soaked raisins and chocolate covered cherries, along with a dusting of allspice. The finish is long and contemplative, offering notes of mint, sassafras, cocoa nib, cloves, orange zest, date, and plum. Perhaps the deftest accomplishment here is delivering all this decadence without being cloyingly sweet. The spicy quadruple competent, and oak tannins extracted during extended aging are undoubtedly key components of this masterwork.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by TreyIsWilson from Michigan
4.49/5 rDev +2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.49/5 rDev +2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A - Pours a deep dark brown with thin tan head. Good amount of oily lacing.
S - Aroma is coffee, vanilla, dark chocolate, raisins and tons of barrel.
T - The taste is molasses, brown sugar, coffee, dark chocolate, raisins, oak and a good barrel warmth.
M - Medium body with medium carbonation. Creamy mouthfeel with a slick dry finish.
O - Really well done. All the flavors shine.
Feb 14, 2025S - Aroma is coffee, vanilla, dark chocolate, raisins and tons of barrel.
T - The taste is molasses, brown sugar, coffee, dark chocolate, raisins, oak and a good barrel warmth.
M - Medium body with medium carbonation. Creamy mouthfeel with a slick dry finish.
O - Really well done. All the flavors shine.
Reviewed by russpowell from Arkansas
4.48/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 2.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.48/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 2.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours an effervescent cola/mahogany color with a sliver of tan head. Some head retention & lacing
S: Raw barrel, figs, brown sugar & cola
T: Molases, brown sugar & cinnamon? plus leafy hops up front. Raw Sour Mash, leafy hops, woody hops. & a kiss of vanilla as this beer warms through. a little Maple Candy as well. Some black cherry shows up along with leafy hop presence, mostly, plus pipe tobacco & Bourbon in the finish
MF: Chewy as all get out, restrained carbonation, very warming, a little more carbonation would've pushed to greatness
Great take on the style. so much going on the heft is ALMOST missed
May 27, 2024S: Raw barrel, figs, brown sugar & cola
T: Molases, brown sugar & cinnamon? plus leafy hops up front. Raw Sour Mash, leafy hops, woody hops. & a kiss of vanilla as this beer warms through. a little Maple Candy as well. Some black cherry shows up along with leafy hop presence, mostly, plus pipe tobacco & Bourbon in the finish
MF: Chewy as all get out, restrained carbonation, very warming, a little more carbonation would've pushed to greatness
Great take on the style. so much going on the heft is ALMOST missed
Reviewed by Beginner2 from Illinois
4.52/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.52/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
A masterful blending that continually changes on me with each sip. The barrel variety imparts so many nuances that it is too much work for me to analyze and describe. But I'll try to give just rewards to this celebration of 35 years of crafting and innovation.
This Cuvee' opens appetizingly, mostly with its diverse Smells from the barrels. They are in the attack and stay until the last sip. Tastes are balanced throughout, despite my expecting it to become too sweet. Cuvee' is heavy in my mouth. Not boozy despite 14.7 ABV. How do they do that ?
Since I tend now to drink mostly table ales, I don't want to generalize too much about the masters of barrel-aging. But FBarber raises an interesting comparison to Firestone Walker. Both are American pioneers in barrel-aging for over three decades; both have parents that capitalize this expensive process; and the parents seem to let their "kids" innovate... particularly since enough consumers are willing to pay a premium price. But in the final analysis.... If ever I hear the comment that AB has changed GI for the worse, I will think of this Cuvee. Cheers !
11/20/23 Finished the bottle two nights later. Curiously, the aromas are less rich; but the rest of the brew is close.
Nov 19, 2023This Cuvee' opens appetizingly, mostly with its diverse Smells from the barrels. They are in the attack and stay until the last sip. Tastes are balanced throughout, despite my expecting it to become too sweet. Cuvee' is heavy in my mouth. Not boozy despite 14.7 ABV. How do they do that ?
Since I tend now to drink mostly table ales, I don't want to generalize too much about the masters of barrel-aging. But FBarber raises an interesting comparison to Firestone Walker. Both are American pioneers in barrel-aging for over three decades; both have parents that capitalize this expensive process; and the parents seem to let their "kids" innovate... particularly since enough consumers are willing to pay a premium price. But in the final analysis.... If ever I hear the comment that AB has changed GI for the worse, I will think of this Cuvee. Cheers !
11/20/23 Finished the bottle two nights later. Curiously, the aromas are less rich; but the rest of the brew is close.
Reviewed by mschrei from Illinois
4.96/5 rDev +12.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
4.96/5 rDev +12.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Dark brown pour, mild head and lacing. Strong scents and flavors of vanilla, dark fruit, molasses, brown sugar, bourbon barrels. Perfect feel-big bodied and boozy with just a hint of oily slickness. Phenomenal.
Oct 06, 2023
Reviewed by stortore from Illinois
4.45/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.45/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
12 ounce bottle into a snifter. Best by 4/30/28, had 7/8/23.
Pours a mostly opaque dark brown, with no head and a few specks of cling. Aromas of bourbon, rum, caramel, cherry, vanilla, plum, oak, chocolate, tobacco, char. Has a spicy aroma. The flavors are mostly similar: bourbon, vanilla, some cognac, malt, chocolate, caramel, plum, oak, tobacco, light rum. Tastes spicy. Smooth, a very good fuller body, appropriately carbonated.
Pretty delicious. Leans more towards a Barleywine for me, but both styles are there. Has an array of solid aromas and flavors. The bourbon barrels have a strong presence, the others show at different levels. Really well done.
Aug 02, 2023Pours a mostly opaque dark brown, with no head and a few specks of cling. Aromas of bourbon, rum, caramel, cherry, vanilla, plum, oak, chocolate, tobacco, char. Has a spicy aroma. The flavors are mostly similar: bourbon, vanilla, some cognac, malt, chocolate, caramel, plum, oak, tobacco, light rum. Tastes spicy. Smooth, a very good fuller body, appropriately carbonated.
Pretty delicious. Leans more towards a Barleywine for me, but both styles are there. Has an array of solid aromas and flavors. The bourbon barrels have a strong presence, the others show at different levels. Really well done.
Reviewed by snaotheus from Washington
4/5 rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2023-07-30
12oz bottle served in a snulip. Drink By 30APR28. Got it from @FBarber in a Holiday Inn lobby.
Pours black, thick, almost no head. Smell is chocolate, booze, vanilla, char.
Taste follows the aroma pretty closely, coffee bitterness gets added into the mix. Something like maple syrup but with barky bitterness.
Mouthfeel is fairly heavy, though not as heavy as I would expect. Very smooth, a little sticky. Overall, very nice.
Jul 31, 202312oz bottle served in a snulip. Drink By 30APR28. Got it from @FBarber in a Holiday Inn lobby.
Pours black, thick, almost no head. Smell is chocolate, booze, vanilla, char.
Taste follows the aroma pretty closely, coffee bitterness gets added into the mix. Something like maple syrup but with barky bitterness.
Mouthfeel is fairly heavy, though not as heavy as I would expect. Very smooth, a little sticky. Overall, very nice.
Reviewed by GrumpyGas from Illinois
4.47/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.47/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
12oz bottle dated 30APR23 and poured into a snifter almost boasts a 1/4" cap of tan colored bubbles that dissipates to random wisps of bubbles. Even agitation only causes a film to coat the glass before running back. Dark, dark brown, opaque body that looks clear at the edges.
Aroma includes the wood notes of ash and wet oak, the barrel notes of molasses, vanillin, booze, rum, and bourbon, along with cocoa, stone fruits, toffee, and spices. That seems impressive enough, yet they are all in the flavor as well.
Mouthfeel is just short of tongue coating, full, and nearly sticks around with a very pleasant aftertaste.
Overall a fine slow sipper that has everything you could want in the style. Bring your own book and cigar.
Jul 01, 2023Aroma includes the wood notes of ash and wet oak, the barrel notes of molasses, vanillin, booze, rum, and bourbon, along with cocoa, stone fruits, toffee, and spices. That seems impressive enough, yet they are all in the flavor as well.
Mouthfeel is just short of tongue coating, full, and nearly sticks around with a very pleasant aftertaste.
Overall a fine slow sipper that has everything you could want in the style. Bring your own book and cigar.
Reviewed by REVZEB from Illinois
4.27/5 rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.27/5 rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Very dark brown pour with a cap that is closer to tan than beige. Nose in order: big molasses and bourbon, toffee, vanillin oak, oxidized barley, caramel malt, date, and licorice, very GI composition. Taste is simpler: mix of bourbon barrel, molasses and toffee with an accentuate gooey dark fruit note. Feel is so smooth and decently warm, slight oxidation and sticky, sneaky lightens up after dwelling in the warm depths of the barrel.
Jun 28, 2023
Reviewed by FBarber from Illinois
4.55/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.55/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Pours a dark brown/black color. Completely opaque. Like BCBS, it is only lightly viscous in appearance. An agressive pour provides a one or two finger head that quickly dissipates leaving no residual head. Aroma is dominated by oak with the heavy barrel presence coming through strongly up front. Notes of bourbon, rum, cognac, oak, west musty wood all are there. Along with that come notes of sweet rich malt, dark chocolate, marshmallow, some subtle dark fruit, spice, and rum soaked fruit cake.
The taste on this is so complex - its one of those beers that every time you take a sip, you get a different impression of what the beer is. What I will say is that the predominant character of the beer is barrel - rum, cognac, bourbon - all of them come through in their own ways at different times. Underneath that there are notes of chocolate, dark fruit, fruit cake, some spicy rye, chocolate covered cherry, and strong tannic notes. Feel is medium to full bodied, sticky and yet very dry on the finish. Bright carbonation for a beer like this. Very dry on the finish.
Overall this is a lovely beer and a fantastic blend. It reminds me quite a bit of the Firestone Walker Anniversary beers. Well worth seeking out for any beer aficionado, for those that love barrel aged beers that showcase the barrels, this will be nothing less than a homerun.
May 22, 2023The taste on this is so complex - its one of those beers that every time you take a sip, you get a different impression of what the beer is. What I will say is that the predominant character of the beer is barrel - rum, cognac, bourbon - all of them come through in their own ways at different times. Underneath that there are notes of chocolate, dark fruit, fruit cake, some spicy rye, chocolate covered cherry, and strong tannic notes. Feel is medium to full bodied, sticky and yet very dry on the finish. Bright carbonation for a beer like this. Very dry on the finish.
Overall this is a lovely beer and a fantastic blend. It reminds me quite a bit of the Firestone Walker Anniversary beers. Well worth seeking out for any beer aficionado, for those that love barrel aged beers that showcase the barrels, this will be nothing less than a homerun.
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois
3.76/5 rDev -14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.76/5 rDev -14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Released 5/12/23.
"Drink by 4/30/28"; drank 5/14/23 @ the Yarchives.
Brown/black appearance. An even pour yielded a small dark tan head; no lace.
Dark chocolate, marshmallow, booze heat, oak & faint raspberry notes in the nose.
Thick, sticky mouthfeel. Caramel, chocolate wood & booze heat flavors.
Smelled a bit better than it tasted; interesting but VERY boozy.
Worth a try.
May 15, 2023"Drink by 4/30/28"; drank 5/14/23 @ the Yarchives.
Brown/black appearance. An even pour yielded a small dark tan head; no lace.
Dark chocolate, marshmallow, booze heat, oak & faint raspberry notes in the nose.
Thick, sticky mouthfeel. Caramel, chocolate wood & booze heat flavors.
Smelled a bit better than it tasted; interesting but VERY boozy.
Worth a try.
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