Goose Island — Bourbon County Brand Stout 2025

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

The nose announces itself with waves of dark chocolate, toasted vanilla, and bourbon-soaked oak, underscored by espresso and dried dark fruit. On the palate, extraordinary density reveals itself through layers of fudge, caramel, and charred wood, while bourbon warmth integrates seamlessly with roasted malt sweetness. Viscous and coating, it moves with deliberate weight. The finish stretches endlessly, balancing bourbon heat with bittersweet chocolate, lingering oak tannins, and whispers of tobacco leaf and molasses that fade slowly into memory.

Food Pairing

Pair with dark chocolate torte featuring salted caramel, where the beer’s bourbon notes echo the dessert’s complexity while cutting through richness. Alternatively, serve alongside aged Gouda or sharp cheddar with candied pecans—the crystalline cheese texture contrasts beautifully with the stout’s viscosity, while nutty elements bridge beer and accompaniment perfectly.

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.