Goose Island — Bourbon County 2015 brand coffee

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

The nose opens with intense cold-brew coffee aromatics layered over bourbon-soaked oak, dark chocolate, and vanilla custard. Molasses and charred barrel char provide depth alongside roasted malt complexity. On the palate, the 12.4% alcohol integrates seamlessly within a viscous, full body. Espresso and dark roast coffee dominate initially, followed by waves of caramel, toffee, and bittersweet chocolate. Bourbon warmth emerges mid-palate with notes of charred oak and brown sugar. The finish is long and warming, with lingering coffee bitterness balanced by residual sweetness, vanilla bean, and subtle smoky bourbon barrel character that persists remarkably.

Food Pairing

Pair with a rich chocolate torte or espresso-rubbed beef short ribs to mirror the beer’s intense roasted character and bourbon complexity. The coffee and barrel notes complement dark chocolate desserts beautifully, while the beer’s substantial body and sweetness cut through fatty, caramelized meat preparations. Alternatively, serve alongside aged Gouda or smoked cheddar to highlight the caramel and vanilla dimensions.

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.