Goose Island BCBS Delilah’s Knob Creek 9Y 45M | Imperial Stout

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Poured from this ultra-rare Delilah’s exclusive release, the beer presents as an opaque, jet-black liquid with virtually zero light penetration and a thin but persistent mocha-tan collar — a hallmark of Goose Island’s Bourbon County lineage after extended barrel contact. After 45 months resting in 9-year-old Knob Creek bourbon casks, the nose opens with an extraordinary depth: rich charred oak leads the charge, followed by waves of dark chocolate ganache, vanilla bean, caramelized brown sugar, and a pronounced yet refined bourbon warmth that never tips into harshness. On the palate, the mouthfeel is remarkably full-bodied and almost viscous, coating every surface with silky precision.

Sweetness is restrained and sophisticated — fudge and toffee notes balance against a dry roasted bitterness and gentle hazelnut undertone drawn directly from the Knob Creek oak. The finish is exceptionally long, with lingering whiskey warmth, dark cocoa, and a whisper of toasted vanilla that evolves beautifully as the glass warms. Drinkability is surprisingly measured given the strength; this is a contemplative sipper with serious cellaring potential for years to come. A once-in-a-generation collaboration between a legendary Chicago brewery and one of the city’s most iconic craft beer bars.

Food Pairing

The Goose Island BCBS Delilah’s Knob Creek 9Y 45M pairs magnificently with an aged Comté or Époisses cheese board, where the cheese’s funkiness and fat beautifully cut through the beer’s dense sweetness and amplify its vanilla-oak core. A second exceptional pairing: dark chocolate fondant with a salted caramel centre — the bittersweet cocoa mirrors the stout’s roasted depth while the salt sharpens every whiskey note to perfection.

Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout — Delilah’s Exclusive Knob Creek 9-Year Barrel-Aged 45 Months