It’s finally here! With the Black Friday crowds still swarming retail stores post-holiday, head out for Goose Island‘s 2016 Bourbon County Brand Stout lineup, which is now available for purchase! (as limited release)

The BCS program has been running for about twenty years, with each one evolving from the experience of the last. This year, we are seeing (and tasting) some noticeable changes to the Bourbon County process.

Each of 2016’s four varieties come exclusively from Heaven Hill bourbon barrels that have been aged for a minimum of 6 years. Also unique is the use of flash pasteurization, a method we are seeing a bit more frequently in the industry, allowing for more control and balance during production. For those with doubts, in St. Louis, where all batches must be approved by Goose’s tasting panel, both pasteurized and unpasteurized samples have been hard to discern, meaning the quality is nearly the same. Already looking ahead into 2017, the limit on HH barrel use will be reduced to 4 years and older to increase variety and consistency within the final product.

Did you know?

• It takes about 30 hours to brew a single batch of BCS

• Each variation in the lineup starts with BCBS base

• Goose Island has about 20 brewers on staff

 

Here are some brief notes on the unique flavors you will find in each Bourbon County bottle, based on a private tasting with one of Goose Island’s brewers.

Bourbon County Brand Stout

ABV: 13.8% | IBU: 60

• Chocolate forward
• Smokey, vanilla nose

Bourbon County Brand Barleywine

ABV: TBD | IBU: 60

• Cherry candy-like liquor flavor
• Sweet aromatics
• First-time use barrels

Bourbon Count Brand Coffee Stout

ABV: 13.4% | IBU: 60

• Hand picked in Costa Rica
• Chocolate flavor
• Caramel flavor from malt and bourbon

Bourbon County Brand Stout Proprietors

ABV: 14.1% | IBU: 60

• Chipotle chilis
• Cocoa nibs
• Bourbon barrels used had stored maple syrup
• Chocolate forward in smell and mouthful

 

For our personal rankings to guide your palate, read this more in depth review.

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Find this year’s Bourbon County Stout lineup near you!

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