Goose Island announces their 2019 Bourbon County Stouts lineup

Goose Island announces their 2019 lineup of Bourbon County Stouts that includes eight new variants with the help of new partnerships.

When it comes to barrel aged stouts, Bourbon County Stout from Goose Island is not just known on a local level, it is actually internationally known thanks to the standards the company upholds every year. Considering the history of these brews, it makes sense that the brewery would make a big deal over their newest lineup of stouts.

Twenty years ago when Greg Hall was looking for inspiration to make a special brew for their 1,000th batch, he may never have guessed what would come from a chance a meeting with Booker Noe of Jim Beam. With the help of bourbon barrels, Goose Island was able to craft a line of stouts that has truly set its own set of standards.

And for 2019, it seems that the brewery is once more looking to be unique and inspired. With the help of unique partnerships with other distilleries, such as Heaven Hill, Goose Island has crafted a line of variants that are “more barrel-forward” than in previous years.

For this year’s lineup, we have eight amazing options to choose from, each with their own unique flavor profile. The eight new variants for 2019 are:

• Bourbon County Stout – This stout offers up flavors of almond, chocolate, caramel, toffee, vanilla, and cocoa. According to Brewmaster KeithGabbett, “Bourbon County Stout Original is one of the best yet with lots of rich chocolate and fudge notes.”
• Bourbon County Double Barrel Stout – For this stout it is all about the aging process, and the fact that it was literally aged in two barrels, which makes sense when you consider the name of this brew. According to Gabbett, “The layering of two coveted barrels from the same distillery and the extended aging time allows us to really showcase what’s possible with Bourbon County Stout.”
• 2-year Reserve Bourbon County Stout – This time we have a stout that is not only “oak-forward,” but also resplendent in robust flavors such as nutty flavors of almond or hazelnut, chocolate, and maple syrup. (Maybe it’s me, but this reminds me of a dessert or even breakfast flavored stout.)
• Reserve Rye Bourbon County Stout –  Drinking this stout will actually give you some very distinct notes of fruit and spiciness, courtesy of the barrels used which were actually utilized to make Rittenhouse Rye. Considering every sip will give you the rye notes of the bourbon originally aged in the barrels, the name of this stout makes perfect sense.
• Proprietor’s Bourbon County Stout – If you are truly looking for a stout that screams dessert notes, then this is the one for you. Here is a stout that gives you notes of marshmallow, coconut, chocolate, vanilla, and pecan. And considering this stout is homage to previous years’ stouts, this is one flavor I think everyone needs to try at least once.
• Bourbon County Wheatwine Ale – If you are looking for a lighter flavor of brew, then this ale is a winner. With flavors of toffee, butterscotch, vanilla, and caramel, this is another drink that calls to mind a dessert beer.
• Bourbon County Café de Olla Stout – Once again, the unique inspiration of this stout is what makes it so special. And considering it is all about the latin coffee inspiration, it makes sense that the flavor profile of this stout includes notes of cinnamon, orange, dark chocolate, and of course coffee. According to Brewer Austin Niestrom, “Bourbon County Café de Olla Stout is a wonderful twist on BCS coffee with a combination of ingredients that provide an intriguingly complex experience. The coffee aromatics are garnished with a hint of citrus and subtle notes of cinnamon. Panela sugar helps round out the potion, concluding the well-balanced combination of flavors and aroma.”
• Bourbon County Mon Chéri Stout – For the final stout announced for 2019, we have a brewmaster’s love letter. Here is a stout that is said to have a velvety finish with tasting notes of chocolate, vanilla, cherries, oats, and even notes of amaretto and almond.

No matter which stout you try, or if you happen to snag them all, this year’s Goose Island Bourbon County Stouts have a story to tell thanks to the barrels they were made in. With a wide range of unique flavors, there is something for every palate with this particular lineup.

As Heaven Hill Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll explains, “Bourbon and beer is a partnership that makes sense. It not only gives our barrels another life, but when you partner with another team that values quality and innovation, it allows for a creative, educational space for the consumer to enjoy these special products.”

Considering how important the Bourbon County Stout lineup is every year, we are excited to give this year’s new releases a try. And with eight flavors to choose from, it feels like there is bound to be a stout for everyone.