Bourbon County Brand Stout (2014) 13.8%

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Opulent molasses and dark chocolate announce themselves on the nose, layered with bourbon-soaked vanilla, charred oak, and dark fruit undertones of fig and raisin. The palate is viscous and warming, delivering waves of espresso, baker’s chocolate, and caramelized brown sugar, while the barrel influence contributes coconut, toasted wood, and subtle cinnamon spice. The finish is prolonged and luxurious, leaving lingering notes of dark cocoa, bourbon warmth, and a pleasant tannic dryness that invites contemplation between sips.

Food Pairing

Pair with a rich chocolate torte or flourless chocolate cake where the beer’s roasted malt complexity harmonizes with dark cocoa while bourbon notes enhance the dessert’s depth. Equally compelling alongside aged Stilton or Roquefort, where the stout’s sweetness and barrel character balance the cheese’s pungency and create a decadent interplay of creamy, bitter, and sweet elements.

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.