Goose Island — Bourbon County Brand Barleywine (2015)

Technische Details

Verkostungsprofil

The nose opens with intense bourbon-soaked oak, layered with dark toffee, dried figs, and vanilla custard. On the palate, a viscous, warming body delivers waves of caramelized malt sweetness balanced by charred oak and dark chocolate. Notes of bourbon-macerated cherries, toasted pecans, and brown sugar emerge mid-palate. The finish is remarkably long and warming, with lingering bourbon heat, espresso bitterness, and a pleasant tannic grip from extended barrel contact. Despite the substantial 12.9% alcohol, integration remains elegant with age.

Lebensmittel-Paarung

Pairs beautifully with rich blue cheese like Stilton or Roquefort, where the beer’s sweetness complements the sharp, salty minerality. Equally compelling alongside dark chocolate pecan pie or bourbon barrel-aged cheddar, where the shared oak influence creates harmonious flavor bridges between beer and food.

About Goose Island Beer Company

Goose Island Beer Company stands as Illinois’ oldest continuously operating brewery, tracing its roots to 1988 when it opened as a brewpub in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Named after a nearby island, the brewery was founded with inspiration drawn from English brewing traditions and pub culture, establishing a distinctly European sensibility within the American craft beer landscape. What began as a neighborhood brewpub expanded significantly with a larger production brewery in 1995, allowing Goose Island to grow from local favorite to nationally recognized brand. The brewery gained particular acclaim for its barrel-aged beers and innovative brewing techniques, helping to define the craft beer movement in the Midwest. In 2011, Goose Island became part of Anheuser-Busch InBev, marking a significant moment in craft brewing history as one of the first major acquisitions of an established craft brewery by a global beer conglomerate. Today, Goose Island operates its original Fulton Street production facility with tap room and tours, alongside the Clybourn Avenue Brewhouse, continuing to produce beers distributed across the United States and United Kingdom while maintaining its Chicago heritage.