Goose Island Beer Company Bourbon County Brand Stout
What the brewers say
“A liquid as dark and dense as a black hole with thick foam the color of a bourbon barrel. The nose is an intense mix of charred oak, chocolate, vanilla, caramel, and smoke.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Bourbon and vanilla up front with a nice supportive dark chocolate character. Pleasant oak aromas, light coffee, dark fruit, cherry fruit. Nice bourbon character but not too boozy. Some nutty, toffee, caramel notes. Sweet dark fruit quality.”
Flavor: “Lots of vanilla and bourbon with a very pleasant chocolate character to support. Malt sweetness comes through as caramel and toffee. Subtle chicory roast and red wine vinegar. Burnt sugar and vanilla wood is so nice! Some nutty and coconut flavors, plus sweet dark fruit.”
Overall: “Bourbon and oak on display, with lots of chocolate to support and balance the caramel malt. Finishes sweet and chewy. Great beer to sip on and showcases plenty of malt complexity and barrel character. Alcohol is obvious but not overbearing. With the barrel quality, malt, bourbon, and chocolate, it all builds to make a great beer.”
