Goose Island Reveals 2024 Bourbon County Barrel-Aged Stout Lineup, Including 1st Proprietor’s Barleywine Ale
The 2024 Goose Island Bourbon County lineup has been announced. (Photo: Goose Island)
On Monday, the Chicago-based brewery Goose Island announced the 2024 lineup of its esteemed Goose Island Bourbon County barrel-aged stouts.
The 2024 Goose Island Bourbon County lineup comprises five bottles:
- 2024 Bourbon County Brand Original Stout
- 2024 Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Rye Stout
- 2024 Bourbon County Brand Macaroon Stout
- 2024 Bourbon County Brand Proprietor’s Barleywine
- 2024 Bourbon County Brand Bardstown Cask Finish Stout
“Goose Island created the world’s first bourbon barrel-aged stout with Bourbon County Brand Stout, and, to this day, it continues to be the industry benchmark. This year’s lineup does an amazing job of living up to our legacy while still pushing boundaries and setting the standard,” Goose Island President Todd Ahsmann said in a news release. “There’s something exciting for every type of drinker; each beer in this year’s release explores different ways our brewers highlight and amplify the expressions found in our Original Stout.
“While I admittedly find myself reaching for Original Bourbon County Stout time and time again, this year’s vintage really stands out. Our brewers are experts in their craft, and I cannot wait to be able to share each and every beer in Goose Island’s 2024 Bourbon County Stout lineup with you.”
Each year, Goose Island releases its Bourbon County stouts on Black Friday.
Let’s break down the lineup!
2024 Goose Island Bourbon County Lineup
2024 Bourbon County Brand Original Stout
ABV: 14.7%
Tasting notes, via Goose Island: Vanilla, cherry, cocoa, toasted almond & caramelized sugar
This year’s flagship Goose Island Bourbon County stout is aged for an average of 16 months in a mix of freshly emptied bourbon barrels from Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, Four Roses and Wild Turkey.
2024 Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Rye Stout
ABV: TBD
Tasting Notes, via Goose Island: Rich vanilla, toasted almond & lingering spice finish
Ingredients: Madagascar Vanilla Beans
Goose Island first debuted the vanilla rye stout 10 years ago (and most recently six years ago) and says it’s “one of the most celebrated” and “iconic” Bourbon County variants to date.
This variant begins as a rye imperial stout, which Goose Island ages in freshly emptied rye whiskey barrels for a year. Next, Goose Island finishes the stout with “incredibly aromatic” Madagascar vanilla beans.
2024 Bourbon County Brand Macaroon Stout
ABV: TBD
Tasting Notes, via Goose Island: Toasted coconut, dark chocolate with a touch of sweet ginger
Ingredients: Coconut, Cocoa Nibs, Candied Ginger
Goose Island often takes inspiration from the memories of its employees — like 2022’s Biscotti stout. That’s the case with this expression, which was inspired by Goose Island employee Paul Spiller’s memories of late nights in the kitchen with his mother, according to Goose Island.
The Macaroon Stout is an imperial stout that spend a year aging in bourbon barrels before cocoa nibs, sweet candied ginger and toasted coconuts were added.
2024 Bourbon County Brand Proprietor’s Barleywine Ale
ABV: TBD
Tasting Notes, via Goose Island: Dried fruit and refreshing zest with a delightful warm finish
Ingredients: Tamarind, Lime, Guajillo Chile & Piloncillo
Each year since 2013, Goose Island has included one stout in the Bourbon County lineup that is available exclusively in the Chicago area: the Proprietor’s Stout. This year’s Proprietor’s release is a Barleywine Ale for the first time, and it sounds truly wild.
According to Goose Island, the inspiration came from brewer Colby Magratten’s affinity for Mexican spoon candy, leading to a recipe of bourbon barrel-aged barleywine made with tamarind, lime, whole Guajillo chiles and piloncillo. Piconcillo is unrefined whole cane sugar most often found in Latin America.
2024 Bourbon County Brand Bardstown Cask Finish Stout
ABV: TBD
Tasting Notes, via Goose Island: Deeply expressive, vibrant cherry, toasted oak and a lingering herbal finish
This imperial stout starts by being aged in freshly emptied rye whiskey barrels from Bardstown Bourbon Co. Next, it’s moved into “hybrid” oak and cherry wood barrels that were used to finish Bardstown Bourbon Co.’s rye whiskey.
“Goose Island and Bardstown Bourbon Company share a trailblazing spirit. This is the first time I’ve seen a finishing project emulate a double-barrel aging from both brands,” Bardstown Bourbon Co. VP Product Development Dan Callaway said. “It’s incredible to see how stout can be transformed – first by American oak, then by cherry wood. Cheers to the Goose Island team for their innovation and attention to detail, creating a magnificent release.
“Bardstown Bourbon Company’s rye is a beautiful balance between herbal spice and cherry sweetness. We age in American Oak for 6 years, then transfer to cherry wood, creating a singular, complex spirit. These rye barrels present a unique, fun finishing for Bourbon County Brand Stout. Who doesn’t love chocolate and cherries!?”
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