Goose Island — Bourbon County Proprietor’s Baklava

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

The nose unveils layers of honeyed phyllo pastry, toasted walnut, and pistachio oil, interwoven with bourbon-soaked vanilla and dark chocolate. Caramelized sugar and cinnamon dust mingle with charred oak undertones. On the palate, viscous sweetness dominates—think baklava syrup intensity—balanced by roasted malt bitterness and warming alcohol. Pistachio nuttiness threads through espresso and toffee notes, while bourbon barrel character lends maple, leather, and char. The finish lingers with sticky sweetness, walnut skin tannins, and residual spice that echoes the dessert inspiration with remarkable fidelity.

Food Pairing

Pair with aged Manchego or Parmigiano-Reggiano, where the cheese’s crystalline sharpness cuts through the beer’s dessert-forward richness while complementing its nutty character. Alternatively, serve alongside dark chocolate torte with candied orange peel, allowing the barrel-aged depth to harmonize with bittersweet cocoa while citrus notes lift the pairing.

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.