Goose Island Bourbon County Stout

Well technically it is now called "Bourbon styled" but I just picked up a four pack at the admittedly steep price of 20 bucks (5 bucks a bottle, ugh) at Sams.
If you are a fan of this beer or darker beers in general though, you are in for a treat. I think this is their best BCS in a couple of years. Rich Bourbon flavor, nice roasted malts, I am looking forward to sipping this mid-winter.
I guess it is also available at the bar, though I don't think it is on tap, only bottles.

I bought a 4-pack last year (one of the last ones on Sam's shelves, too) but was not a fan. At all. I almost wondered if I had a bad batch. It was far too thick and syrupy. But I bought it again this year to give it another shot. I haven't opened a bottle yet, but I'll update once I do.

In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy Flying Dog's Imperial Porter -- possibly my favorite porter, and a beer that could easily hold its own against other stouts/porters.

Thanks for the tip on Flying Dog. I have seen it numerous times but always go back to one of my faves- either Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald or Anchor Porter. I look forward always to trying more beer.

Maybe I should start a new topic, rather than reply here. I am still new to the Board.

Anyway, I really like Porters. My favorites in order are: Anchor, then Edmund Fitzgerald. (Although I always thought Big Shoulders Porter from the now defunct Chicago Brewing was the best ever.)

How would you compare these to the Flying Dog Imperial Porter?

D.

danimalarkey wrote:I bought a 4-pack last year (one of the last ones on Sam's shelves, too) but was not a fan. At all. I almost wondered if I had a bad batch. It was far too thick and syrupy. But I bought it again this year to give it another shot. I haven't opened a bottle yet, but I'll update once I do.

In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy Flying Dog's Imperial Porter -- possibly my favorite porter, and a beer that could easily hold its own against other stouts/porters.

It does seem to change a bit year to year. The first time I had it, from the 05 batch, it was great, very probably one of the best beers I've ever had. Last year's batch, 06 that is, I didn't like nearly as much. I don't remember what the problem was, but it just didn't hid the same notes.

I'm going to have to start looking to pick up some this year and see how I feel about it.

SSDD

If what you dislike about the Bourbon County Stout is that it is thick and syrupy, that is probably not going to change. Like Three Floyd's Dark Lord, the thick as oil sludge consistency is somewhat the nature of the bourbon aged stout beast.

However, if you enjoy the flavors, but would like them in a "lighter" beer, then Goose Clybourn just put on the Bourbon Aged Imperial Brown Goose this week. Instead of a stout base, its a brown ale base, aged in Heaven Hill casks for 3-4 months. It really picked up the vanilla and bourbon, and packs an alcohol wallop. (If you had last year's example, there is really no comparison, its a completely different, stronger, more flavorful beer this year).

The goose taplist is also in really good shape this week with a number of other very good beers to choose from. One of my favorites is Wheatmiser (a very sweet and strong wheat wine) that was an award winner at this year's GABF (Great American Beer Festival). They also have the Old Aberration on tap (an over the top barley wine) and a Dunkelweizenbock (which is a medium dark, lightly sweet wheat beer). And a nice clean Schwartz, a "light" dark beer that has the roasty flavor without the heavy body that most associate with dark beers.

cheers!

Thanks for the heads up on the Imperial Brown Goose. I was heading down to the MapRoom and debating whether to make a side trip over to GI.
It is on the itinerary now.
I was dismayed when they recently took the Smoked Porter off tap before I had a chance to sample the copious volume that I wanted, I will not make that mistake with the Imperial!

I went to the recent barrel-aged beer festival at the Wrigleyville Goose Island and meant to try their aged Imperial Brown Goose. I'll be sure to look for it at their other location -- thanks for the tip!

As far as comparing the Flying Dog Imperial Porter with the others, I don't know how much help I can be. I don't often go for porters, and only picked up the FD variety because I had heard such good things about it. It will be stronger, alcohol-wise, than the others -- I think it comes in at just over 10% ABV. You can taste that in the beer, but I find it really smooth and balanced just the same. It might be a little hoppier than the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Incidentally, I've been finding that Whole Foods has had the best prices on beer lately. The River North location had 4-packs of the Bourbon County Stout for $18 -- just a couple bucks cheaper than at Sam's, but still, it might save some people an extra stop. My only problem with Whole Foods is that their beer is often always stored in refrigerated cases, and I don't always have room at home in my fridge for more beer. Despite my best efforts, some times I just can't drink it quickly enough! ^_-

danimalarkey wrote:I went to the recent barrel-aged beer festival at the Wrigleyville Goose Island and meant to try their aged Imperial Brown Goose. I'll be sure to look for it at their other location -- thanks for the tip!

As far as comparing the Flying Dog Imperial Porter with the others, I don't know how much help I can be. I don't often go for porters, and only picked up the FD variety because I had heard such good things about it. It will be stronger, alcohol-wise, than the others -- I think it comes in at just over 10% ABV. You can taste that in the beer, but I find it really smooth and balanced just the same. It might be a little hoppier than the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Incidentally, I've been finding that Whole Foods has had the best prices on beer lately. The River North location had 4-packs of the Bourbon County Stout for $18 -- just a couple bucks cheaper than at Sam's, but still, it might save some people an extra stop. My only problem with Whole Foods is that their beer is often always stored in refrigerated cases, and I don't always have room at home in my fridge for more beer. Despite my best efforts, some times I just can't drink it quickly enough! ^_-

Don't worry yourself about buying refrigerated beer. The beer can cool land warm without detriment, so long as it does not freeze or remain too hot for too long. If kept in a basement/cellar (ideally) or a cool closet (less ideally) it will not experience any abnormal effects from aging.

KSeecs wrote:Don't worry yourself about buying refrigerated beer. The beer can cool land warm without detriment, so long as it does not freeze or remain too hot for too long. If kept in a basement/cellar (ideally) or a cool closet (less ideally) it will not experience any abnormal effects from aging.

Thanks for the tip -- good to know I don't have to quite so

For what it's worth, I was just at Sam's and they didn't seem to have much more of the Bourbon County Stout. I don't know for sure, but my guess is that we won't see more than one batch of the stuff, so if you're looking for some, act now.

I do prefer this year's batch to last year. It remains very thick and syrupy, but I was able to enjoy it more than I remembered. Maybe I just have a better palate for beer now. Definitely not a beer that you could drink all night -- shoot, I think someone's best bet is to split a 12oz. bottle with someone else after dinner.

I bought some yesterday at Whole Foods in Wheaton. I haven't had a chance to try it yet.
It wasn't displayed so I asked for it. He told me he has sold 6 cases out of the back room already. I don't think it will last very long.

After announcing five 2024 BCS variants this summer, Goose Island is back with a surprise announcement: it is welcoming back Bourbon County Brand Rare Stout and Rare Day this year.

https://www.chicagofoodmagazine.com/new ... d-rare-day

Dave148 wrote:

After announcing five 2024 BCS variants this summer, Goose Island is back with a surprise announcement: it is welcoming back Bourbon County Brand Rare Stout and Rare Day this year.

https://www.chicagofoodmagazine.com/new ... d-rare-day

I went to the similar Prop Day last year, that was fun.

Last week, Goose Island Beer Co. announced a big change for one of its biggest releases. Instead of single bottles, Bourbon County Brand Stout will be available in four packs in 10-ounce bottles. This is for the standard original release, not for the more coveted special bottles flavored with adjuncts. Varieties like Proprietor’s will continue to be available solo in 16.9-ounce bottles.

https://chicago.eater.com/2025/5/12/244 ... nimum-wage

Once InBev got it's hands on it, the marketing started and I quit purchasing it.
Woodman's has a number of varieties and packaging but I haven't paid any attention.
No more do you see people in line for the newest release!
-Richard