Every year, many beer geeks look forward to the lineup of specialty Goose Island (owned by ABInBev) Bourbon County Brand Stouts (BCBS) that enter the market on, of course, Black Friday. What was once just one bourbon barrel aged imperial stout (a style they themselves created) is now a lineup of beers that change almost every year (except for the base stout), and some are much more limited than others. But what is the best BCBS beer in the lineup for 2024 and which one is waiting in line for?
I got to sample all the bottles before their release and here are my honest opinions about each beer, ranking from my least favorite to what I consider the best of the beers.
Goose Island Beer Company
#6—2024 Bourbon County Brand Rare Stout
This one is only available at Goose Island locations in Chicago on Black Friday and frankly, I’m not sure it’s worth the line waiting to be honest. The beer is rare alright, aged in sought after King of Kentucky bourbon barrels for one year and then aged another year in a different set of King of Kentucky barrels. The double barrel aged rye imperial stout I found incredibly boozy (at 18% ABV that’s not a surprise) and the alcohol heat is slightly off-putting. This alcohol burn would decrease in time for sure and I bet after two years of aging, this beer would be really good but if you are looking to drink it now, I would hesitate. The coffee and cocoa notes are excellent but its thick viscosity mingled with a slighter higher than expected carbonation level gave me pause. Again, if you are a BCBS diehard and need all the variants, by all means buy this.
Goose Island Beer Company
#5—2024 Bourbon County Brand Macaroon Stout
The only one that made my teeth hurt, this varietal is unfortunately too sugary for its own good although I have an inkling that a lot of people would like it that way. The mouthfeel and carbonation are excellent and it had a lovely silkiness to it which was very pleasant. The beer is 14.6% ABV and was aged in bourbon barrels for a year and then rested on cocoa nibs, sweet candied ginger and toasted coconut. I didn’t get any ginger at all but the coconut note is lovely. There are better varietals below that I would look to before buying this one.
Goose Island Beer Company
Goose island Beer Company
#4—2024 Bourbon County Brand Original Stout
The original this year was aged in variety of well known bourbon barrel brands like Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, Four Roses and Wild Turkey and aged in said barrels for an average of 16 months. The 14.7% ABV is good but to be honest, this would be better aged (the best by date says 2029 so you have some time). There’s a slight savory/soy aroma to this beer but the flavors of karob and cherry are very nice. It’s slightly bitter, but again, with a year or two of age, that should round out. I like that this beer wasn’t as thick and viscous as many imperial stouts on the market today. Worth picking up for sure.
Goose Island Beer Company
#3—2024 Bourbon County Brand Proprietor’s Barleywine Ale
Proprietor’s is a rotating style of BCBS that’s only available in the Chicagoland area. This year, it’s a 14.7% ABV barleywine and wow, what a unique one at that. Inspired by Mexican candy, this year’s bourbon barrel aged barleywine was made with tamarind, lime, whole guajillo chiles and the unrefined cane sugar piloncillo. I am not a huge tamarind fan so I was a little worried my flavor bias would get the best of me. The aroma is slightly metallic, but wow, I get every flavor they added, including a warming chile heat at the finish. It’s cool to see breweries make beer that tests the boundaries of flavor and this excels. If you are in Chicago, I would purchase this and drink immediately as the additional flavors may dissipate over time.
Goose Island Beer Company
#2—2024 Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Rye Stout
This Vanilla rye varietal has been done before and was a fan favorite, hence the rerelease. The 14% ABV rye imperial stout was aged in rye whiskey barrels for a year and then rested on Madagascar vanilla beans. The aroma reminds me of my favorite from last year, the bananas foster stout. The flavor is all vanilla and not done too over the top. I like that you actually get rye flavor in this too. The finish is decadent and the mouthfeel silky and perfect. This is ready to drink now and would be a welcome addition to December holiday festivities.
Goose Island Beer Company
#1—2024 Bourbon County Brand Bardstown Cask Finish Stout
Upon first sip, this one blew me away. Aged in Bardstown rye whiskey barrels, the 16% ABV beer was then transferred over to hybrid oak/cherry wood barrels that were once used as finishing casks. There is a supreme fudge flavor and aroma to this beer and the cherry notes are unreal. The beer is boozy but it’s fresh so if you lay this down for a bit, those alcohol notes will subside. The mouthfeel is perfect and the beer is smooth. My favorite by a mile and one I would happily wait in line for. Drink now or hold onto it as it’s a stunner.
Cheers to delicious beers and be sure if you do drink any of these to drink them responsibly. Share with family and friends and be merry in this approaching winter season!