Goose Island Introduces Distinctive Beers to Expansive Bourbon County Lineup
As anticipation builds for the upcoming holiday season, characterized by bustling crowds seeking the perfect gifts, there's a unique tradition brewing at Chicago's Goose Island Beer Co. It's not the familiar Black Friday scene at retail giants; instead, it's the day after Thanksgiving, marking the unveiling of Goose Island's annual assortment of stout beers aged in premium bourbon barrels. 2023 marks the brewery's 31st edition of this highly anticipated release, showcasing a range of six distinct variants – five available nationwide and one exclusively in the Chicago region.
Goose Island's flagship stout exudes a delightful medley of flavors, including vanilla, cocoa, cherry, caramelized sugar, and almond. The beer is meticulously aged for an average of 12 months in recently emptied barrels sourced from renowned distilleries such as Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, Four Roses, and Wild Turkey. Meanwhile, a standout in this year's lineup is a stout that has matured for two years in Buffalo Trace's Eagle Rare bourbon barrels, yielding an exceptional combination of robust oak, toasted almond, and warming vanilla notes.
Diversifying their offerings, Goose Island introduces their inaugural "Cask Finish" stout, which undergoes a year-long aging process in former Angel's Envy bourbon barrels, followed by an additional year in Ruby Port wine barrels. The result is a stout featuring distinct hints of cherry, spice, and cocoa, creating a remarkable fusion of flavors.
Among the highlights is the national debut of the 2017 "Proprietor's Stout," a beer characterized by its exquisite blend of ripe bananas, toasted almond, brown sugar, and cinnamon. This iteration is crafted using real bananas, an assortment of almonds, cassia bark, and other natural flavorings, all of which come together to embody the essence of a delectable dessert.
In homage to a past favorite, the revival of the 2013 "Backyard Rye" takes center stage. Aged in rye barrels and infused with mulberries, this bourbon barrel-aged stout boasts a harmonious interplay of chocolate, vanilla, and berry fruit flavors. The finishing touch involves the addition of mulberries, boysenberries, and marionberries after a year of aging, resulting in a beer that celebrates rich complexity.
Finally, a beer reserved exclusively for the Chicago area offers a taste reminiscent of a sumptuous rice pudding. Infused with toasted rice, raisins, vanilla custard, and warming spice notes, this unique creation captures the essence of comfort and indulgence.
As Goose Island continues to innovate and surprise, this year's Bourbon County lineup presents an array of exceptional choices that celebrate the artistry of brewing and flavor exploration. Whether enjoyed nationwide or savored locally in Chicago, these carefully crafted beers offer a journey through a diverse world of tastes.