Ahhh…Goose Island’s Bourbon County Stout – it’s such a behemoth of an Imperial Stout. At 13%, it’s enough to take the edge off any situation very quickly. Rewind a couple years ago…The BCS was my first real experience with an extreme beer. Just smelling it come out of the glass as my waiter poured it for me led me to fear what I might feel like afterwards. With its intense aroma of bourbon, I knew I was at least going to enjoy something for the ages. Two problems exist with these beers, though, and that is the fact that they are very heavy and potent. I’d even go so far as to say that these little 12 ounce bottles could be shared with one or two other people. But I can tell you based on this review that they clearly do well with a couple years of age. I’ve been sitting on a few bottles of the 2007 vintage for a while just to see what the experience would be like after having the 2008 and 2009 consecutively, and the result was phenomenal. A lot of the alcohol burn has dwindled but the flavor profile from the bourbon barrels still remains. Matched with a great amount of coffee, chocolate, toffee, and vanilla, this beer is much more approachable than it was in 2007. But granted…my palate is a lot more susceptible to these extreme beers now, so you make the call. Buy a couple and let them sit down in the basement for a couple years and see what happens.
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This beer can be found in these states.
On the iPod: Bill Callahan
Brewery: Goose Island
Beer: Bourbon County Stout
Style: Imperial Stout (Barrel-Aged)
Location: Chicago, IL
ABV: 13%
Rating: 94/100
Posted by Mike on January 18, 2010 at 8:42 PM
This is definitely something i would love to try!
Posted by Chipper Dave Butler on January 19, 2010 at 8:58 AM
I had a few 2008 Bourbon County Stouts last year and fell in love. Something about the bourbon smell is just so inviting. A year makes a lot of difference with this beer. I’m sold on the aging part, the only thing is trying not to touch a beer for a year or so.
Another beer that I recently had that is also bourbon barrel aged is Full Sail Black Gold (2009). It’s an imperial stout that was aged for 10 months in Kentucky bourbon barrels. It is also very heavenly with a hint of vanilla.
Speaking of vanilla, I heard that Goose Island also makes a coffee version and a vanilla version of BCS. There is also a Rare version of BCS. I’ll have to seek them out.
Cheers to your show. I enjoy viewing it regularly.
Posted by thehopry on January 19, 2010 at 12:03 PM
First, thank you for the comments. Much appreciated. The last three Bourbon County Stout offerings you speak of are supposedly coming in 2010, but are not available as of yet. I posted a recent news article about this in the news tab if you want to do a search. Last, the Full Sail doesn’t appear to be available here in Kansas City, but I’ll definitely keep that one in mind on a future trade.
Thanks again,
Mark Starr
Posted by Barleywhiner on January 20, 2010 at 8:30 AM
I still see 08 BCS around town. I still haven’t opened an 09 yet. Maybe this weekend.
Posted by Ken Hunnemeder on May 16, 2010 at 4:11 PM
Great review, Mark! And thanks for the SHOUT OUT!
Posted by thehopry on May 16, 2010 at 6:09 PM
No problem. It was bound to happen at some point since I’ve been watching your episodes for quite a while now…