Goose Island — Bourbon County 2023

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

The nose opens with intense dark chocolate and espresso, layered with vanilla bean, charred oak, and warming bourbon character. Caramel and toasted marshmallow notes emerge alongside subtle dark fruit. The palate is viscous and full-bodied, delivering waves of rich fudge, bourbon-soaked cherries, and molasses. Oak tannins provide structure while residual sweetness balances the roasted malt bitterness. The finish is long and warming, with lingering bourbon heat, dark chocolate, and pleasantly dry oak notes that invite contemplation.

Food Pairing

Pairs magnificently with dark chocolate torte or chocolate truffles infused with sea salt, where the beer’s bourbon character enhances the cacao intensity. Equally compelling alongside aged blue cheese or mature cheddar, as the beer’s sweetness and body complement sharp, crystalline textures while oak notes mirror the cheese’s 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.