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USA Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
6 best imperial stouts of Great Taste of the Midwest 2025
Imperial stouts haven't quite reached the ubiquitous heights of big, bitter pale ales in the craft brewing explosion of the 2000s and early 2010s. Still, it seems like freeing a bold, boozy, thick-pouring stout from its oak stave prison is a badge of honor for rising and established breweries alike. Despite sharing common threads, there's a lovely amount of room to branch out across the realm of these dark beers. Goose Island frequently stretches its Bourbon County Stout lineup six deep each Black Friday. 3 Floyds has no fewer than 15 different variations of its Dark Lord in Beer Advocate's review database. Unsurprisingly, that meant there was plenty of room for dense, dark stouts clocking in around 15 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) at the 2025 Great Taste of the Midwest. The Great Taste is a beer nerd's wonderland, and brewers contributed to this boozy nirvana with plenty of imperial stouts to serve as the bold break between pale ales and pils. On Thursday, I broke down 2025's best non-stout beers here. Now let's talk about the imperial stouts that made the biggest impact on me at one of the world's best beer festivals. 3 Floyd's Dark Lord Marshmallow Handjee '24 imperial stout The first sip is an explosion of flavor. Of course it is; it's what 3 Floyds does best. You get those big soft s'mores notes, but most importantly you get a little bit of crispness to finish each gulp. This really ups the replay value of a heavy beer in a way that matters, allowing you an experience that betrays the 15.6 percent ABV underneath. The only giveaway this is a beer you should probably stop at two with is the dense, dark body and unmistakable smell of bourbon barrel aging floating off the top. 3 Sheeps' The Wolf 2025 imperial stout The Wolf was my first imperial stout of the day -- a foreboding task when it's 88 degrees out and sunny. It poured big and boozy, with a lovely copper head atop a dark coffee pour. The smell is split between bourbon and chocolate, with just a little sweet fruit (maybe cherry?) floating skyward. The first sip? Absolutely lovely. Despite the lack of carbonation in a thicker style of beer, if comes across your lips gently. Some barrel-aged stouts feel like a chore to drink. Not The Wolf. It's sweet but not overpoweringly so. It's boozy but not to the point where you'd stop yourself after one or even two. This beer is a problem in the best way. I am a fan. Pilot Project Brewing's Stave + Maple imperial stout This was a late pick-up -- probably a point where a boozy 12.5 percent ABV barrel-aged stout wasn't a great idea. But it sounded great and Pilot Project offered an opportunity to check in with a new brewery. The beer poured as dense as you'd expect. The smell leaned heavily into the whiskey-ringed oak where it reached maturity, but underneath was juuuuuust enough waffle vibes to let you know where this was going. Despite the thickness, this was very drinkable. The heaviness of the pour doesn't translate to your tongue. You get that maple sweetness with just enough Christmas vibes -- some cinnamon, a little chocolate and some spices. That all sounds like a lot, and it sounds exhausting. Pilot Project found a way to make it feel fresh with each sip. Revolution Brewing's Ryeway to Heaven imperial stout and X-Hero imperial IPA Allow me to cheat here. The Ryeway is a barleywine. The X-Hero is an imperial IPA. Both are big and boozy and, at the very least, Ryeway felt like it belonged. Let's roll with it. Barleywines typically aren't my jam, but Revolution delivered a flavor profile I love. The Ryeway gives you a dense, flavorful and sweet package of those cereal grains that can be a bit overwhelming at times. That would be an issue if this didn't clock in at 15 percent ABV, but it's clear you're dealing with a sipper that's not meant to be drank more than one or two at a time. You end up with a beer that's heavy in texture but lighter on your tongue. Heavy chocolate and malt flavors dance around to give you the impression you're drinking a special occasion beer. The X-Hero was exactly the kind of hit you'd expect from Revolution's "Hero" series. My first sip ended with an audible "whoa" as heavy tropical fruit flavors carried me away before a tight wave of hops snapped things off with some balancing bitterness. It never felt like a 10 percent ABV beer, but making big and boozy feel light and flavorful is Revolution's whole jam. Toppling Goliath's 2025 Koselig imperial stout The smell off the top of this was rich raisins, a little bit of rum and a lot of bourbon barrel influence. It's rich, sweet and decadent. As has become a theme with the cream of the crop imperial stouts, everything here is lighter than you'd expect. You get a little bit of that 14.7 percent ABV up front, but it does little to flatten the flavors that come after it. The opening is boozy raisin and bread pudding. The finish is sweet, warm whiskey. That's a teeter-totter that shows off Toppling Goliath's range and reminds me, yet again, why the Decorah, Iowa brewer has established its place in my circle of trust. Une Annee/Hubbard's Cave Brewery's El Zacaton imperial stout Spicy. That was the first impression of this beer. Une Annee set itself apart from the field of big, boozy stouts with peppers -- guajillo, ancho and, importantly, habanero. With that and some chocolate and vanilla notes, you wind up with a mole-inspired beer. Neat. Despite that tang, the taste here makes it very easy to come back to. Each sip reminds you it's a high ABV beer -- it doesn't hide its booze nearly as well as its peers. At the same time, those rich flavors reward you with something unique for branching out and trying something new. You're left to deal with sweet chocolate notes, earthy spices and just a little bit of heat you'd expect from a habanero stout. That's an underserved category, in large part because there's a huge capacity for things to go wrong. Une Annee/Hubbard's Cafe took a big swing and it paid off. It's weird. It works.
Forbes
22-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Goose Island Reveals Its 2025 Bourbon County Stout Lineup
The 2025 Goose Island Bourbon Country Stout Lineup. Goose Island Beer Co. Every fall, craft beer lovers anxiously await one of the most anticipated beer drops of the year, the limited release bottlings from the Goose Island Beer Co. under its Bourbon County Stout Brand. What started in 1992 as a bold experiment aging an imperial stout in bourbon barrels, something unheard of at the time, has become a full-blown cultural moment. Seriously, people stand in lines, undergo lotteries, and chase the limited allocations of bottles coast to coast. This year's lineup should only keep the hype alive. What began as one beer has grown into a family of brews, each with its own unique story and aging journey. At its heart remains the Original Stout, the base beer that launched a genre. But surrounding it are five additional expressions, each drawing from new inspirations, ingredient combinations, and barrel-aging partnerships. Perhaps the biggest news this year is that, for the first time ever, Original Stout will be offered in a four-pack of 10-ounce bottles nationwide. It's a smart move by Goose Island, designed to give fans more flexibility with a brew known for its potent ABV. "This new bottle of our Original Stout has been years in the making, and it's breaking down barriers for beer lovers to enjoy this beer during more occasions," said Todd Ahsmann, President of Goose Island Beer Co. It's a subtle shift, but an important one, reflecting how craft beer drinking has evolved. Drinkers are looking for more tasting flights, more shared pours, and more casual access. By downsizing its flagship beer, it's delivering that to its fans. Goose Island Bourbon County Original Stout. Goose Island Beer Co. As always, the Original sets the tone. Aged for approximately 12 months in a blend of freshly emptied barrels from Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, Four Roses, and Wild Turkey, it boasts deep flavors of fudge, vanilla, cherry, and toasted almond, all wrapped in a rich, viscous body. There's a reason it remains one of the benchmarks for bourbon barrel-aged beer. But from there, the rest of its lineup gets imaginative. Each of the following limited-release brews is available nationwide and comes in both 16.9 oz bottles and on tap, except for the Proprietor's Stout. It is only being offered in Goose Island's home market of Chicago. The 2025 Bourbon County Brand Cherries Jubilee Stout is a flambéed dessert in a bottle. Aged in bourbon barrels, then finished in cognac casks, this stout is blended with Montmorency cherries, citrus, and panela sugar, layering cocoa and dark fruit over a silky finish. It's an elegant beer, channeling the same dessert-inspired energy Goose Island often taps into with finesse. The Chocolate Praline Stout doubles down on decadence. Aged in freshly emptied bourbon barrels and dosed with cocoa nibs, hazelnuts, almonds, cashews, and dates, it transforms the base stout into a candy shop tour of rich fudge and chewy toffee with subtle nutty undertones. Each year, the brewery's hometown gift ventures into interesting territory, and this year's Proprietor's Stout shouldn't disappoint. Brewer Colby Magratten drew inspiration from her aunt's beehives and homemade baklava for a release featuring walnuts, pistachios, cassia bark, and honey. The result is warm and spiced, evoking the flavors of toasted nuts, caramelized honeycomb, and comforting baking spices. Goose Island also continues to spotlight their most crucial collaborator in all of this: the barrel. Nowhere is that clearer than in the Double Barrel Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Stout. This variant takes the Original through two consecutive rounds of aging in Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond barrels. The result is a bold brew with tastes of vanilla, toasted marshmallow, and a pronounced oak finish that amplifies the bourbon experience. It's a love letter to American whiskey, and the 1897 law helped define what bourbon would become: the Bottled-in-Bond Act. Then there's the Parker's Heritage Reserve Stout, perhaps the most nuanced and contemplative beer in the lineup. Aged for a full two years in barrels that previously held Parker's Heritage Collection 17th Edition 10-Year Rye, this release is as much about patience as it is about collaboration. The extended time in rye barrels teases out layers of dried fruit, marzipan, cocoa, and complex rye spice. It's a slow sipper, designed for reflection, and honors the legacy of the late master distiller Parker Beam. The 2025 Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Lineup. Goose Island Beer Co. "This year's Bourbon Country Brand Stout lineup showcases how Goose Island, and our barrel aging program, is constantly evolving," says John Zadlo, Senior Brand Manager at Goose Island. "Each release in this family of stouts highlights and elevates the signature expressions that emerge as our Original Stout ages. The beauty of barrel aging lies in its variations and uniqueness, something only achieved through a combination of experience, exceptional ingredients, outstanding barrels, and time." As the bourbon barrel-aged stout space continues to evolve, Goose Island remains its compass point. The 2025 lineup reinforces their foundational role in the category, while offering new formats and flavors to keep things fresh. Whether you're a collector eyeing the Reserve, a dessert stout lover chasing Chocolate Praline, or someone just excited to share a 10-ounce Original fireside, this year's releases should have something for you. While the actual release date for the 2025 Bourbon County Brand Stouts it normally falls around Prohibition Repeal Day, which falls on December 5. So, if you're a lover of big, bold, brews circle the date and make a plan, because if there's one thing history tells us, these bottles won't sit on shelves for long. Follow here for the most up to date information about the ever changing beer, wine and spirits industry. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes Tequila Vs Mezcal: A Guide To When And How To Drink Each Forbes These Are The Best Bourbons Of 2025 (So Far), According To Spirits Competitions Forbes Athletic Brewing's Non-Alcoholic Beer Boom: Big Growth Ahead Forbes How To Read A Bourbon Label
Forbes
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Goose Island's 2025 Bourbon County Stout Lineup Is Stacked With Praline, Cherries, And Rye Barrel Magic
2025 Bourbon County Stout lineup Goose Island If there's one beer release that turns stout fans into full-on line campers each fall, it's Goose Island's Bourbon County Stout. For more than three decades, this legendary brew has been the ultimate reward for waiting out the chill—an imperial stout so rich, boozy, and barrel-kissed that it basically invented its own category. And this year, Goose Island is back with a lineup that's bigger, bolder, and, thanks to some new packaging, even easier to enjoy. Bourbon County Stout has one of those 'happy accident' origin stories that became craft beer legend. Back in 1992, Goose Island brewmaster Greg Hall had the wild idea to pour a rich, boozy stout into used Jim Beam bourbon barrels—something nobody else was really doing at the time. The result? A smooth, complex beast of a beer, bursting with vanilla, oak, chocolate, and (of course) bourbon — and it was a hit. Since then, Bourbon County Stout has spawned all kinds of barrel-aged spinoffs—think coffee, cherries, and even wheatwine—and helped kick off the barrel-aging craze that's now a craft beer staple. 'Having been fortunate enough to try the very first Bourbon County Stout in 1992 when it was draft-only at our pub, I've witnessed the birth—and every evolution—of Bourbon County Brand Stout,' Todd Ahsmann, President of Goose Island Beer Co said in a statement. 'As pioneers of barrel-aged stouts, we've always evolved to meet the moment and the drinker. This new bottle for our Original Stout has been years in the making, and it's breaking down barriers for beer lovers to enjoy this beer during more occasions.' That's right: new packaging. For the first time ever, the Original Bourbon County Stout will be available in a four-pack of 10-ounce bottles, perfect for sipping fireside or sharing at a tasting without committing to a whole bomber yourself. Goose Island is also rolling out a full slate of variants this year, each one dialed in to highlight a different aspect of what makes Bourbon County so iconic. 'At Goose Island, we consider the barrel to be an ingredient—and not just any barrel,' Mike Siegel, Senior Innovation Manager said in a statement. 'We seek out the best and prioritize relationships with the distilleries that craft them. Heaven Hill produces world-class whiskey across a range of brands, including several we've partnered with for Bourbon County over the years, such as Elijah Craig, Old Fitzgerald, Larceny, and Rittenhouse Rye. This year, we're releasing two new beers aged in their barrels: one highlighting the distillery itself with Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond, and another aged in barrels from the Parker's Heritage Collection 10-year 17th Edition Rye Whiskey—one of their most prized annual releases, and a barrel we've long hoped to work with for Bourbon County." 2025 Bourbon County Stour lineup Goose Island From a praline-packed stout brimming with cocoa nibs and roasted nuts to a Cherries Jubilee variant finished in cognac barrels, the lineup reads like a greatest hits album with a few brand-new tracks you'll want to blast on repeat. Here's a closer look at every Bourbon County variant hitting shelves this year and what Goose Island has to say about them: 2025 Bourbon County Brand Original Stout Bourbon County Stout Goose Island ABV: Coming Soon Availability: National Markets Format: 4-pack 10-oz bottle & draft Tasting Notes: Vanilla, cherry, cocoa, toasted almond & caramelized sugar Style: Imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels After crafting the very first bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout, Goose Island understands that great beer begins with the best ingredients– which is why the brewery continues to source only the freshest and finest from trusted partners along the bourbon trail. 2025 Bourbon County Brand Original Stout was aged in a blend of freshly emptied barrels from Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, Four Roses, and Wild Turkey. With an average aging time of 12 months, this stout delivers deeply developed flavors of fudge, vanilla, and caramelized sugar—all wrapped in a rich, decadent mouthfeel. 2025 Bourbon County Brand Cherries Jubilee Stout Cherries Jubilee Goose Island ABV: Coming Soon Availability: National Markets Format: 16.9oz bottle & draft Tasting Notes: Burnished cocoa & vibrant dark stone fruit with a caramelized citrus finish Style: Imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels, finished in cognac barrels with Montmorency cherries, citrus & panela As stout ages, Goose Island's brewers often observe a range of fruit expressions that emerge from the barrel and from time itself. Inspired by the flambéed dessert classic Cherries Jubilee, 2025 Bourbon County Brand Cherries Jubilee Stout captures the essence of cognac-soaked cherries and caramelized citrus. The beer began its aging journey in freshly emptied bourbon barrels, which impart rich layers of oak, warm vanilla, and subtle baking spice. It was then finished in cognac barrels, adding elegant notes of dried fruit and contributing to a rich, full mouthfeel. Following the aging process, the stout was blended with Montmorency cherries, citrus, and panela–resulting in a velvety, decadent beer with flavors of candied dark cherry, soft vanilla, and a caramelized citrus finish. 2025 Bourbon County Brand Chocolate Praline Stout Chocolate Praline Stout Goose Island ABV: Coming Soon Availability: National Markets Format: 16.9oz bottle & draft Tasting Notes: Rich fudge with toasted marzipan & chewy toffee Style: Imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels with cocoa nibs, hazelnuts, almonds, cashews & dates Bourbon County Brand Stout is a beer crafted for aging. Over time, Goose Island's imperial stout undergoes an incredible transformation within the barrel. With patience and time, the beer not only absorbs the character of the freshly emptied bourbon barrels, but also develops expressions of toasted marzipan and dried fruit—signature to Original Stout. Goose Island brings these flavors to the forefront with 2025 Bourbon County Brand Chocolate Praline Stout. First aged in freshly emptied bourbon barrels, this stout draws inspiration from the underlying decadence of chocolate, caramel, and roasted nuts found in Original. Layered with a blend of cocoa nibs, hazelnuts, almonds, cashews, and dates, this full-bodied stout showcases the classic flavors of a chocolate praline while embracing the subtle nuances imparted by the bourbon barrel. 2025 Bourbon County Brand Proprietor's Stout Proprietor's Stout Goose Island ABV: Coming Soon Availability: Chicago Market Format: 16.9oz bottle & draft Tasting Notes: Caramelized honeycomb, baking spice & roasted candied nuts Style: Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels with walnuts, pistachios, cassia bark & honey Inspired by the beehives on her aunt's Rhode Island homestead, Goose Island brewer Colby Magratten was immediately drawn to the flavors of crisp and nutty homemade baklava—an idea she knew would be perfect for 2025 Bourbon County Brand Proprietor's Stout. First aged in bourbon barrels and then finished with walnuts, pistachios, cassia bark, and honey, each ingredient was carefully chosen to complement the aged imperial stout: toasted nuts highlight its warm, nutty character; cinnamon enhances the spice of the bourbon barrel; and rich honey deepens the stout's caramelized body. This stout boasts a dessert-inspired expression with layers of comforting warmth, deeply roasted nuts, and a subtly sweet finish—crafted with love for, and available only in, the city Goose Island calls home: Chicago. 2025 Bourbon County Brand Double Barrel Stout Double Barrel Stout Goose Island ABV: Coming Soon Availability: National Markets Format: 16.9oz bottle & draft Tasting Notes: Toasted marshmallow, warm vanilla with a pronounced oak finish Style: Imperial Stout double barrel-aged in Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon barrels Shared dedication to their respective crafts is what unites Heaven Hill and Goose Island in the creation of 2025 Bourbon County Brand Double Barrel Stout. As the creators of the world's first bourbon barrel-aged stout, the brewers at Goose Island have spent over thirty years redefining what beer can be through the evolution of Bourbon County Brand Stout. Over time, the series has grown into a diverse family of beers—each expressing a distinct character and perspective. As Bourbon County ages, it develops a myriad of characteristics: complex, layered, and deeply expressive. Drawing on decades of experience, Goose Island's brewers have learned how to elevate those qualities by fine-tuning every variable—from ingredient selection to barrel choice to time spent aging. Every decision reveals a new facet of Original Stout. 2025 Bourbon County Brand Double Barrel Stout is a masterclass in that approach. In collaboration with Heaven Hill Distillery, Goose Island aged this release in not one, but two sets of freshly emptied Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon barrels. By centering the nuanced complexity of the whiskey, the resulting beer is a true celebration of bourbon, collaboration, and the most essential element of every Bourbon County release: the barrel itself. 2025 Bourbon County Brand Reserve Stout Reserve Stout Goose Island ABV: Coming Soon Availability: National Markets Format: 16.9oz bottle & draft Tasting Notes: Layers of dried fruit & marzipan with nuanced rye spice Style: Imperial Stout aged two years in Parker's Heritage Collection 10-year 17th Edition Rye Whiskey barrels Parker Beam began his distilling career at Heaven Hill in 1960, working alongside his father before becoming a sixth-generation Master Distiller in 1975. Over five decades, he built a legacy of uncompromising quality and quiet innovation—values now embodied in the Parker's Heritage Collection, named in his honor. Released annually, the collection has become a benchmark of excellence within the whiskey industry. Goose Island Beer Co. 2025 Bourbon County Brand Family Fact Sheet 2025 Bourbon County Brand Reserve Stout is a testament to the depth that comes from extended aging in an exceptional single lot of barrels. For this special release, Goose Island rested its imperial stout for a full two years in casks from one of the most respected names in American whiskey: Parker's Heritage Collection. This longer aging period goes beyond the brewery's traditional process, drawing out concentrated layers of cocoa, dried fruit, spice, and toasted oak. The result is a rich, contemplative expression of Bourbon County—one that rewards patience and reflects a legacy built slowly, barrel-by-barrel.
Forbes
21-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Here Is The Goose Island 2025 Bourbon County Stout Lineup
This year features five variants of Goose Island Bourbon County Stout. The groundbreaking original Bourbon County Stout is now available in a smaller bottle. Goose Island Beer Co. Chicago's Goose Island Beer Co. is largely credited with creating the first modern-day barrel-aged imperial stout with its Bourbon County Brand Stout. Although Goose Island is now owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev, Bourbon County Brand Stout has been able to maintain its status as a highly-sought beer among beer lovers. In addition to the original Bourbon County Stout, since 2010, Goose Island has also released variants. For 2025, there will be five variants, a small bonus since there were only four last year. 'We don't have a set number of variants we release each year,' said Mike Siegel, senior innovation manager at Goose Island Beer via email. 'At the end of the day, we only move forward with beers when they're ready—and when we feel confident they're strong enough to stand on their own. Aging beer doesn't follow a strict timeline.... That's why some years we've released as few as four variants, and other years it's been eight or more. Just like with ingredients, the beer leads the way. We're just here to listen and follow where it takes us.' 'There are a lot of factors that go into deciding which variants we release each year,' said Siegel. 'As brewers, we always let the beer guide us. Nearly every variant starts as Bourbon County Original. Because barrel-aged stout can express itself differently from year to year, we pay close attention to the unique characteristics coming through in the base beer and look for ways to bring those forward–deliberately highlighting or accentuating signature expressions of that given year.' 'Take this year's Cherries Jubilee, for example. In tasting the base stout, we noticed rich notes of dried stone fruit, a touch of citrus, and a beautiful caramelized depth. From there, we worked with our key tasters to shape a concept that would highlight those qualities,' said Siegel. 'We decided to finish the beer in cognac barrels to enhance the dried fruit character, then layered in Montmorency cherries to really bring that profile to life. Panela sugar and orange zest act as supporting players—rounding out the beer and amplifying the nuances already present in the original stout. At every step, it's about listening to the beer and letting it lead the way.' Also new this year, the original version of Bourbon County Stout will be available in a four-pack of 10-ounce bottles. 'The new format reflects a shift in occasion—ideal for side-by-side tastings with the rest of the lineup or simply enjoying on its own. The four-pack gives drinkers more opportunities to experience the beer that started it all,' said Goose Island in its press release announcing the new packaging format on May 6, 2025. The variants will be available in 16.9-ounce bottles, as they always have been. All six versions of 2025 Bourbon County Stout will be available on Black Friday, which this year falls on November 28, 2025. Here is the 2025 lineup of Goose Island Bourbon County Stout: 2025 Bourbon County Brand Original Stout The original Bourbon County Stout was brewed to celebrate Goose Island's 1,000th batch of beer in 1991. The 2025 edition of the beer is aged for an average of 12 months in a mix of bourbon barrels from Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, Four Roses and Wild Turkey. 2025 Bourbon County Brand Cherries Jubilee Stout Inspired by the flambéed dessert, this variation captures the essence of cognac-soaked cherries and caramelized citrus. The beer was finished in cognac barrels before being blended with Montmorency cherries, citrus and panela. 2025 Bourbon County Brand Chocolate Praline Stout This variant draws on toasted marzipan and dried fruit flavors of the Original Stout. With an additional blend of cocoa nibs, hazelnuts, almonds, cashews and dates, this variant showcases flavors of chocolate praline. 2025 Bourbon County Brand Double Barrel Stout The Double Barrel variant of Bourbon County Stout is a collaboration with Heaven Hill Distillery. The beer enjoys additional aging in Heaven Hill Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon barrels. The bourbon was aged for seven years before the barrels were used by Goose Island, elevating the bourbon elements of the beer. 2025 Bourbon County Brand Reserve Stout This variant of Bourbon County Stout enjoyed two years of aging in casks from Parker's Heritage Collection whiskey, a 10-year straight rye whiskey. 2025 Bourbon County Brand Proprietor's Stout The annual Proprietor's variant of Bourbon County is a Chicago-only release, while the other variants are available nationally. Goose Island brewer Colby Magratten was inspired by the beehives on her aunt's Rhode Island homestead. This variant is finished with walnuts, pistachios, cassia bark and honey, intending to evoke flavours of homemade baklava.
