Take a look at any global beer rating website and you’re bound to find a few versions of Goose Island’s Bourbon County Stout somewhere in the top 10. Though it wasn’t a first, the annual bourbon barrel-aged beer series started the huge trend of beers aging in oak, and since it’s inaugural release in 2010, it’s remained one of the most hyped beer annual releases in the country.
Today, Goose Island announced the full 2019 Bourbon County Stout lineup and it’s a doozy: there are eight versions, all made in partnership with some of the country’s most respected whiskey makers. The 2019 Bourbon County Stout Original is aged in a mix of Heaven Hill, Buffalo Trace and Wild Turkey barrels. Goose Island has worked with Heaven Hill and Buffalo Trace in previous years but 2019 marks the first time the Chicago brewery has partnered with Wild Turkey.
One of the more notable bottles, the Double Barrel, was first aged in 11-year-old Elijah Craig barrels and then aged in the award-winning 12-year-old Elijah Craig barrels. Goose Island Brewmaster Keith Gabbett said, “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.”
Then there’s the 2-year Reserve, which spent twice the time as traditional BCS in 11-year-old Knob Creek barrels, giving it an oak-forwarded intensity. The 2019 Reserve Rye Bourbon County Stout, meanwhile, spent time in Rittenhouse Rye barrels and highlights the unique sweetness of Rittenhouse Rye and the barrel-aged maturation of Bourbon County.
The entire 2019 Bourbon County Stout Collection from Goose Island will release on Black Friday at the brewery, with bottles eventually making their way around the country through distribution.
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