Ah, Black Friday, what a nightmare of a day. I gave up on door buster deals a long time ago, and strictly do all my shopping online, the way God intended; except for one thing that is: Goose Island's Bourbon County Stout. Released every year on Black Friday, beer snobs across the US line up for it, hoping to snag a bottle of the original bourbon-barrel-aged stout. Actually, it's not difficult to get your hands on the original flavor of this 14.7% ABV beer, there's usually plenty left over after the initial rush. The real prize are the variants, which are different flavors each year, and are much more limited in quantity. For this review though, we're simply sticking with the original and it's 2021 edition.
The Bourbon County crowd outside of Aurora Brew Works, in East Aurora, NY.
14.7% ABV and around $15.00 per bottle is nothing to turn your nose up at, and also because the aroma itself is amazing: rich chocolate sweetness, bourbon, subtle vanilla smells greet you immediately. Best enjoyed in an 8-12oz snifter glass, it pours a deep, dark brown color with a faint head. First sips definitely bring on a strong flavor--the 14.7% is certainly noticeable, and is almost reminiscent of wine at first, but gives way to chocolate, dried fruit, finishing with subtle caramel and vanilla flavors.
Enjoying in an 8oz snifter on tap.
This obviously isn't a chugging beer, unless you value neither your wallet or liver; each sip is delicious, and meant to be savored. It does sit heavy in your stomach, but not necessarily in a bad way, and it warms you right up. Bourbon County is best enjoyed at night, preferably in the dead of winter when it's freezing outside, but (hopefully) warm in your house.
Original Bourbon County and it's 2021 variants for sale at Aurora Brew Works.
One of the best parts of Bourbon County Stout is that it only gets better with age: feel free to buy a few bottles and put some away for a year or five. The same goes for the variants, often times with these, it's best to leave them for a couple years to get the full, intended flavor. Plus, they're not cheap, so why not save some for later?
Over the years, a variety of other bourbon barrel stouts have popped up, brought on by Goose Island's success. Many beer-lovers will be quick to point out, that some of these are probably better than Goose Island, and that they've sold out. To hell with those people though, Bourbon County is still delicious as ever, and honestly, half the fun is going out on Black Friday to score it and it's unique variants. And if you find yourself at Goose Island's flagship brewery in Chicago, there's a few variants exclusive to that location too. The 2021 edition happens to be one of the best in recent memory, and so with that, I give it 15/10 trampled Black Friday shoppers.
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