United Nations of Beer

Bourbon County Stout

by Bret
(Las Vegas, NV)

Bourbon County Stout (13% ABV)
Goose Island Brewing Co., Chicago, IL
Visit the UNOB's Illinois beer guide

This beer was magnificent, full bodied, warm and welcoming. If you like extreme or big beers, this one has everything you are looking for in that style of beer. Overloaded with vanilla, chocolate, mild caramel and a whiskey barrel oak aromas that combine to create an almost wine type scent. No hop bitterness apparent but malty sweetness comes through huge. The bourbon flavor takes over as the beer is consumed.Bourbon County Stout has a deep black color with no haze or cloudiness, it is very clean and pronounced in its presentation. The thin, foamy, brown head dissipates quickly and laces the glass as the beer is consumed. The flavor is a bittersweet chocolate taste with mild vanilla, roasted malt and bourbon flavors. It's like drinking a shot of Maker's Mark if it were a beer. It is mild yet robust and the alcohol heat warms the mouth and throat as it goes down.

The beer has a very smooth texture which coats the palate with a strong bittersweet film and bourbon flavor. Light and refreshing with very little carbonation but extremely robust and full bodied. Coats the palate and lingers in your mouth making you long for more.

Overall, this is an excellent stout beer. Not your run of the mill stout it has bite and holds on for a while. I did not pick up the smokiness the brewer advertises but I felt everything else about this beer.