Goose Island — Bourbon County 2022

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

The nose opens with deep bourbon-soaked oak, waves of vanilla, and dark caramel, layered with dried dark fruit—figs and raisins—alongside subtle leather and tobacco. On the palate, enormous richness unfolds: toffee, molasses, and burnt sugar meld with chocolate-covered cherries and toasted coconut. The barrel influence is pronounced yet integrated, delivering warming whiskey notes without overwhelming the substantial malt backbone. The finish extends luxuriously, balancing residual sweetness with oak tannins, bitter cocoa, and lingering bourbon warmth that evolves through minutes of contemplation.

Food Pairing

Pair with blue-veined cheeses like Stilton or Roquefort, where the beer’s sweetness counterpoints sharp, salty intensity while oak tannins cut through cream. Alternatively, serve alongside dark chocolate torte with espresso or slow-braised short ribs with caramelized root vegetables, matching the beer’s richness and complementing its bourbon-barrel complexity.

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.