Goose Island — Bourbon County 2016 Proprietor’s

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

The nose opens with profound bourbon-soaked oak, dark chocolate, and vanilla custard, layered with charred caramel and subtle dried cherry. On the palate, viscous and luxurious, delivering waves of espresso, toffee, and toasted coconut, interwoven with bourbon warmth and bittersweet cocoa. The barrel influence is commanding yet integrated, bringing maple syrup sweetness and leather notes. The finish extends remarkably long, with lingering dark fruit, burnt sugar, and oak tannins that grip gently, leaving bourbon heat and coffee bitterness in harmonious balance.

Food Pairing

Pair with dark chocolate torte featuring salted caramel, where the beer’s bourbon notes amplify the dessert’s richness while its roasted bitterness cuts through sweetness. Equally compelling alongside aged Stilton or Roquefort, as the stout’s creamy body and oak complexity complement the cheese’s pungent intensity while bourbon warmth cleanses the palate between bites.

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.