Goose Island Beer Company: 2019 Bourbon County Brand Wheatwine Ale

Goose Island Beer Company: 2019 Bourbon County Brand Wheatwine Ale

Style: Wheat Wine Aged in Bourbon Barrels

Special Notes: The Wheatwine Ale is back for its second year. This year, it is aged in Larceny wheated bourbon casks from Heaven Hill.

Hops: Millennium

Malts: 2-Row, White Wheat

ABV: 15.4%

IBU: 60

Availability: Very limited release

@untappd says: 4.16/5

I know. I know. I said yesterday that I only wanted the two variants I bought yesterday—the Mon Chéri and the Café de Olla—and that I was happy to leave Total Wine without the Wheatwine variant. I know! I said that maybe when I got my bonus in two weeks, I’d go back and try to find more variants. Stop judging me!

Goose Island Brewing Company: 2019 Bourbon County Brand Wheatwine Ale
Look how pretty it is. How could I leave it at the store like a heartless bastard? (Credit: Martin Stezano/Beers on Windowsills)

Today, my wife and I went to the vet to pick up the memorial prints they made us for Brutus (our birdy that we had to put down last week). Afterward, we decided to stop by Stop & Shop for groceries. We were in a different town, so we popped Stop & Shop into the GPS and went. Guess where it was! Yep… the same shopping plaza as Total Wine. I said to myself OK. I’ll pop in. They’ll be sold out, and I won’t be able to buy it. And I’ll be happy to go home. Turns out they had the Wheatwine Ale. So now I do too. I’m only one man. I’m weak!

Anyway, this one is different from last year’s award-winning release because it is aged in Larceny wheated bourbon casks from Heaven Hill. I hope it’s good!

Did you guys find any others on Day 2? Let me know in the comments below!

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Goose Island Beer Company: 2019 Bourbon County Brand Stout Release

Goose Island Beer Company 2019 Bourbon County Brand Stouts

Style: Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels

Hops: Millenium

Malts: 2-Row, Caramel, Chocolate, Debittered Black, Munich, Roast Barley

ABV: 14.4%

IBU: 60

Availability: No longer in production.

@untappd says: 4.54/5

If you guys recall from last year, I managed to track down every single Bourbon County Brand Stout release from Goose Island Beer Company. This year, with that hunt out of my system, I decided not to go all-out crazy on Black Friday, setting my sights on the regular release and two variants—the Brand Café de Olla Stout and the Brand Mon Chéri Stout.

2016 - 2019 Bourbon County Brand Stouts from Goose Island Beer Company
My entire collection of Bourbon County Brand Stouts and variants from 2016 through 2019. Not bad, right? (Credit: Martin Stezano/Beers on Windowsills.com)

According to Goose Island, the Café de Olla is inspired by the traditional Mexican beverage of the same name. They added coffee beans and cold coffee to regular BCBS and then added cassia bark, orange peel and panela sugar to make it even better. The Mon Chéri, meanwhile, is billed by the brewery as a “love letter from our brewer, Quinn, to his wife who loves cherries.” It’s made with Balenton and Montmorency cherries with a bit of brown sugar added for flavor.

Thankfully, my local Total Wine in Norwalk, CT had everything I wanted! They also had the Bourbon County Wheatwine, but I decided to save myself $25 and just stick to the ones I had my heart set on. That being said, I do get my bonus in a couple of weeks…perhaps the hunt will be back on then?

Are you guys on the hunt for this year’s releases? Let me know in the comments below!

Don’t forget to check this one out on Instagram. Like and follow!

Goose Island Beer Company: Proprietor’s Bourbon County Brand Stout (2018)

Goose Island Beer Company: 2018 Proprietor's Bourbon County Brand Stout

Style: Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels

Special Notes: Brewed with a combination of dark chocolate and two types of cocoa nibs. Only released in Chicago.

Hops: Millenium

Malts: 2-Row, Caramel, Chocolate, Debittered Black, Munich, Roast Barley

ABV: 14.4%

IBU: 60

Availability: No longer in production.

@untappd says: 4.54/5

It may have taken me three months, but the 2018 Bourbon County hunt is over!

As the great Beatles song says, sometimes you can only get by “with a little help from [your] friends.” Back on December 1, I posted what I thought would be the last 2018 Goose Island Beer Company Bourbon County Stout I would be able to find, the Bourbon County Brand Reserve. I was content with that. After all, I’d been able to procure the Bramble Rye Stout, the Coffee Barleywine, the Vanilla, the Midnight Orange, the Wheatwine Ale and the original. Seven out of eight ain’t bad, right?

Goose Island Beer Company: 2018 Proprietor's Bourbon County Brand Stout
Look at this lovely box! (Credit: Martin Stezano/Beers on Windowsills)

A month later, I got a random DM from my good buddy, @bedwetr7 aka Josh. He had seen in my Instagram stories that I was hoping to score a Proprietor’s—a story I had posted mostly as a shot in the dark—and he’d answered my call.

Josh contacted me saying that he’d bought one with me in mind, if I was interested in a trade. All Josh wanted was some Trillium brews. I was pretty shocked. The Proprietor’s goes on Ebay for tons of money, after all. To get an offer for a fair amount of brews was great. Thankfully, I don’t live prohibitively far away from either Trillium location, and I’m always looking for a reason to go to them. I asked Josh to cellar my stout for a month while I planned a road trip to Canton. Two Saturdays ago, I went (you’ve been seeing the fruits of that trip for the last 9 days). A week later, I shipped out his beers, and he shipped me mine.

Goose Island Beer Company: 2018 Proprietor's Bourbon County Brand Stout
And yes, this beautiful bottle was inside! (Credit: Martin Stezano/Beers on Windowsills)

Last night, I got my end of the trade, and completed the greatest beer hunt of my Windowsill’s young life. So, what makes the Proprietor’s so special? Every year, Goose Island makes a special version of their Bourbon County Brand Stout for the ones they consider “the adventurous beer lovers who responded so favorably to our first batch of Bourbon County Brand Stout in the early 90s, and who loyally, year after year, share our passion for bourbon barrel-aged stout.”

The Proprietor’s is always the best of the best, made with unique ingredients from the rest and a special recipe put together by Brian LaGro. For 2018, the magic word is chocolate. It uses a combination of dark chocolate and two kinds of cocoa nibs. It’s rich, decadent and includes all the chocolate flavors, from “silky milk chocolate” to “deep and earth dark chocolate.”

Head over to Instagram to see this one it all its glory. Make sure you follow Beers on Windowsills for more great beer!

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. Goose Island Beer Company: Proprietor’s Bourbon County Brand Stout (2018) . It may have taken me three months, but the 2018 Bourbon County hunt is over! . As the great Beatles song says, sometimes you can only get by “with a little help from [your] friends.” Back on December 1, I posted what I thought would be the last 2018 Bourbon County Stout I would be able to find, the Reserve. A month later, I got a random DM from my good buddy, @bedwetr7 aka Josh. He had seen in my Instagram stories that I was hoping to score a Proprietors—a story I had posted mostly as a shot in the dark—and he’d answered my call. . Josh contacted me saying that he’d bought one with me in mind, if I was interested in a trade. All Josh wanted was some Trillium brews. I was pretty shocked. The Prorpiertor’s goes on Ebay for tons of money, afterall. To get an offer for a fair amount of brews was great. Thankfully, I don’t live prohibitively far away from either Trillium location, and I’m always looking for a reason to go to them. I asked Josh to cellar my stout for a month while I planned a road trip to Canton. Two Saturdays ago, I went (you’ve been seeing the fruits of that trip for the last 9 days). A week later, I shipped out his beers, and he shipped me mine. . Last night, I got my end of the trade, and completed the greatest beer hunt of my Windowsill’s young life. So, what makes the Proprietor’s so special? Every year, Goose Island makes a special version of their Bourbon County Brand Stout for the ones they consider “the adventurous beer lovers who responded so favorably to our first batch of Bourbon County Brand Stout in the early 90s, and who loyally, year after year, share our passion for bourbon barrel-aged stout.” . The Proprietor’s is always the best of the best, made with unique ingredients from the rest and a special recipe put together by Brian LaGro. For 2018, the magic word is chocolate. It uses a combination of dark chocolate and two kinds of cocoa nibs. It’s rich, decadent and includes all the chocolate flavors, from “silky milk chocolate” to “deep and earth dark chocolate.” . ABV: 14.4, IBU: 60, No longer in production . @untappd says: 4.54/5

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Goose Island Beer Company: Bourbon County Brand Reserve (2018)

Goose Island Beer Company: 2018 Bourbon County Brand Reserve Stout

Style: Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels

Special Notes: Aged in 12-year-old Elijah Craig Barrel Proof bourbon barrels.

Hops: Millenium

Malts: 2-Row, Black Malt, Caramel, Chocolate, Munich, Roast Barley

ABV: 15.2%

IBU: 60

Availability: Good luck!

@untappd says: 4.63/5

One last hunt on the Windowsill!

One thing beer hunting has taught me, it’s to never give up. This beer is proof that it pays to keep working the internet and the phones when you’re trying to track down specialty brews. Being that I don’t want to pay over $100 or more for the Chicago-only Proprietor’s Stout (that’s what “empty” bottles are selling for on Ebay), the acquisition of this 2018 Bourbon County Brand Reserve brings to an end my hunt for this year’s BCBs from Goose Island Beer Company. It was a fun ride, too!

Goose Island Beer Company: 2018 Bourbon County Brand Reserve Stout
Look at this silver sensation… (Credit: Martin Stezano/Beers on Windowsills)

How did I get the 2018 Reserve? I went back to a watering hole that had previously been emptied—the East Side Grocery on 2nd between 74th and 75th. Knowing they were expecting another shipment, I called them Thursday afternoon, and they graciously held me a bottle. Store policy dictated that I also had to buy another flavor in order to get the 2018 Reserve, which I suppose is fair enough. I ended up deciding on another bottle of the regular Bourbon County Brand Stout, which was the cheapest option available. Good to have another one for cellaring anyway, right?

I have to give yet another shout out to Windowsill Hero, Kristena, who once again saved me a 30-block trek to the Upper East Side of Manhattan. She actually also saved me from not getting the 2018 Reserve at all. As it turns out, through what I assume is a miscommunication, when she got to the store, they didn’t have my bottle held, and claimed to never have heard of any Kristena. Did she give up? No! Like any true Windowsiller, she—in her own words—caused a scene until they “magically found” one last bottle behind the counter. She made the clerk so nervous that he had to call the owner… twice! Anyway, she bought it, and delivered it to my desk the next day. Hero! It’s good to have friends who enjoy a good treasure hunt!

Goose Island Beer Company: 2018 Bourbon County Brand Reserve Stout Box
You know it’s quality because of all the paragraphs. (Credit: Martin Stezano/Beers on Windowsills)

The difference between the 2018 Reserve and the 2018 regular is all in the barrels. The recipe for both beers is exactly the same. Same malts, same hops, same aging time. Other than the packaging—how cool is that box and the silver label?—the only distinction between the two is that the 2018 Reserve is aged in 12-year-old Elijah Craig Barrel Proof bourbon barrels. The Elijah Craig won whiskey of the year from Whisky Advocate, which is basically the top prize in the industry. I bet it’s gonna be smooth. I hope so, anyway… it was pricey!

Anybody want to send me the Proprietor’s Stout? Lol. Worth a shot, I think!

Once again, head over to Instagram to like and follow!

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Goose Island Beer Company: Bourbon County Brand Reserve (2018) . One last hunt on the Windowsill! . One thing beer hunting has taught me, it’s to never give up. This beer is proof that it pays to keep working the internet and the phones when you’re trying to track down specialty brews. Being that I don’t want to pay over $100 or more for the Chicago-only Proprietor’s Stout (that’s what “empty” bottles are selling for on Ebay), the acquisition of this 2018 Bourbon County Brand Reserve brings to an end my hunt for this year’s BCBs from Goose Island Beer Company. It was a fun ride, too! . How did I get the 2018 Reserve? The East Side Grocery on 2nd between 74th and 75th. Knowing they were expecting another shipment, I called them Thursday afternoon, and they graciously agreed to hold me a bottle. . I have to give yet another shout out to Windowsill Hero, Kristena, who once again saved me a 30-block trek to the Upper East Side of Manhattan. She actually also saved me from not getting the 2018 Reserve at all. As it turns out, through what I assume is a miscommunication, when she got to the store, they didn’t have my bottle held, and claimed to never have heard of any Kristena. Did she give up? No! Like any true Windowsiller, she—in her own words—caused a scene until they “magically found” one last bottle behind the counter. She made the clerk so nervous that he had to call the owner… twice! Anyway, she bought it, and delivered it to my desk the next day. Hero! It’s good to have friends who enjoy a good treasure hunt! . The difference between the 2018 Reserve and the 2018 regular is all in the barrels. Other than the packaging—how cool is that box and the silver label?—the only distinction between the two is that the 2018 Reserve is aged in 12-year-old Elijah Craig Barrel Proof bourbon barrels. The Elijah Craig won whiskey of the year from Whisky Advocate, which is basically the top prize in the industry. I bet it’s gonna be smooth. I hope so, anyway… it was pricey! . Anybody want to send me the Proprietor's Stout? Lol. Worth a shot, I think! . ABV: 15.2%, IBU: 60, Availability? Good luck! . @untappd says: 4.63/5

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Goose Island Beer Company: Bourbon County Brand Bramble Rye Stout (2018)

Goose Island Beer Company: 2018 Bourbon County Brand Bramble Rye Stout

Style: Rye Whiskey Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout

Special Notes: Additions of blackberry and raspberry juice and pureé

Hops: Columbus

Malts: 2-Row, Caramel, Chocolate, Debittered Black, Munich, Roast Barley, Rye

ABV: 12.7%

IBU: 60

Availability: Extremely limited availability

@untappd says: 4.27/5

I’m still hunting down the BCB releases for my Windowsill!

BeerMenus saves the day again! I sat down to eat my lunch today, which gave me an opportunity to search for more places around my office that might be carrying Goose Island Beer Company’s 2018 Bourbon County Brand releases. Again, I hit upon a local shop with several of the variants, including the Bramble Rye Stout! The place, Malt & Mold-Gramercy on 2nd Ave between 21st and 22nd, is a small shop that sells two basic things: Craft beer (the Malt part of the name) and Cheese (the Mold part of the name). I’d never heard of it, but it ended up being pretty awesome. Check out the beer and cheese gift baskets they do!

Malt & Mold refrigerator full of Bourbon County Brand releases
Just a portion of the Bourbon County Brand releases I found at Malt & Mold. (Credit: Martin Stezano/Beers on Windowsills)

As any good hunter knows, if you have the chance to get your prey, you take it. I called up Malt & Mold to confirm that they, indeed, had the Bramble Rye, and had them hold me a bottle. I gathered my heavy jacket (it’s cold out there in these NYC streets), and my hat, and started the roughly 24-block-walk. I hustled all the way, making it basically in 20 minutes. I couldn’t browse long because I had to get back to the office, but the little I did see was pretty impressive. Lots of solid craft beer, including what looked like the remnants of several cases of the BCB releases and even the 2018 Founders CBS (You’ll be mine soon, horse). In short order, I picked up the bottle from behind the counter and paid for it. I returned to work feeling great… the thrill of the successful hunt! I may or may not have changed the lyrics to “Bamboleo” by the Gypsy Kings to “Bramble-eyo.” Reports of that are, and will remain, forever unconfirmed.

Goose Island Beer Company: 2018 Bourbon County Brand Bramble Rye Stout
Don’t worry, I didn’t drink it at the office! (Credit: Martin Stezano/Beers on Windowsills)

The Bramble Rye is a little bit different than the other BCB stouts. First of all it’s aged in rye whisky barrels, rather than the traditional bourbon barrels used for the other variants. Secondly, Goose Island brewed this one with additions of blackberry and raspberry—in both juice and pureé form. The fruity stout is something I haven’t been able to taste too often, but I’m excited to crack this one open, and soon.

What’s your favorite variant so far? What has been the toughest to track down?

Check this one out on Instagram right now! You can also see the other variants!

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. Goose Island Beer Company: Bourbon County Brand Bramble Rye Stout (2018) . I’m still hunting down the BCB releases for my Windowsill! . @beermenus saves the day again! I sat down to eat my lunch today, which gave me an opportunity to search for more places around my office that might be carrying Goose Island Beer Company’s 2018 Bourbon County Brand releases. Again, I hit upon a local shop with several of the variants, including the Bramble Rye Stout! The place, @maltandmold on 2nd Ave between 21st and 22nd, is a small shop that sells two basic things: Craft beer (the Malt part of the name) and Cheese (the Mold part of the name). I’d never heard of it, but it ended up being pretty awesome. . As any good hunter knows, if you have the chance to get your prey, you take it. I called up Malt & Mold to confirm that they, indeed, had the Bramble Rye, and had them hold me a bottle. I gathered my heavy jacket (it’s cold out there in these NYC streets), and my hat, and started the roughly 24-block-walk. I hustled all the way, making it basically in 20 minutes. I couldn’t browse long because I had to get back to the office, but the little I did see was pretty impressive. Lots of solid craft beer, including what looked like the remnants of several cases of the BCB releases. In short order, I picked up the bottle from behind the counter and paid for it. I returned to work feeling great… the thrill of the successful hunt! . The Bramble Rye is a little bit different than the other BCB stouts. First of all it’s aged in rye whisky barrels, rather than the traditional bourbon barrels used for the other variants. Secondly, Goose Island brewed this one with additions of blackberry and raspberry—in both juice and pureé form. The fruity stout is something I haven’t been able to taste too often, but I’m excited to crack this one open, and soon. . What’s your favorite variant so far? What has been the toughest to track down? . ABV: 12.7%, IBU: 60, Limited availability . @untappd says: 4.27/5

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Goose Island Beer Company: Bourbon County Brand Coffee Barleywine (2018)

Goose Island Beer Company: 2018 Bourbon County Brand Coffee Barleywine

Style: English Style Barleywine Aged in Bourbon Barrels

Special Notes: Finca La Soledad coffee from Guatemala.

Hops: Pilgrim

Malts: 2-Row, C-120, Caracrystal wheat, Dark Chocolate, Superior Pale

ABV: 15.1%

IBU: 60

Availability: Super limited availability

@untappd says: 4.3/5

Another day, another BCB release hunted down!

As the great Beatles song says, “I get by with a little help from my friends.” Every good beer hunter knows that sometimes you have to rely on the eyes, ears and hell sometimes even the feet and money of your buddies to get those rare brews. That’s how I ended up getting my hands on this bottle of the 2018 Bourbon County Brand Coffee Barleywine from Goose Island Beer Company.

I have the luxury of working in Midtown Manhattan—ok it’s not always a luxury—with access to an entire city’s worth of craft beer. A quick search on BeerMenus revealed the existence of a little bodega named the East Side Grocery, on 2nd Avenue, between 74th and 75th on the Upper East Side. Not only did the site say the grocery had the Bourbon County Brand Stout, it also said they’d gotten the Barleywine, the Bramble Rye Stout AND the BCBS Reserve. Say what?

Goose Island Beer Company: 2018 Bourbon County Brand Coffee Barleywine
Another day, another Bourbon County Brand release at my desk. (Credit: Martin Stezano/Beers on Windowsills)

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to make the 30-block walk. Rather than give up, I did some digging and found a friend that lived near the store. Kristena didn’t know she was going to be a Windowsill hero when she woke up yesterday, but she stepped up to the challenge and, although the bodega was out of the Reserve and the Bramble Rye, she snagged me the Coffee Barleywine on her way home!

The exciting part about this beer is that it’s the first ever Bourbon County Coffee Barleywine release. It’s a traditional, malt forward English-style Barleywine aged in 4+ year old Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels. Goose Island worked with Chicago’s Intelligentsia Coffee, flying all the way to Guatemala to source some of the world’s best coffee—Finca La Soledad. I’ve never had a coffee barleywine before, and I can’t wait to try it!

Pop over to Instagram to see our other 2018 Bourbon County Brand Releases. Make sure you like and follow!

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. Goose Island Beer Company: Bourbon County Brand Coffee Barleywine (2018) . Another day, another BCB release hunted down! . As the great Beatles song says, “I get by with a little help from my friends.” Every good beer hunter knows that sometimes you have to rely on the eyes, ears and hell sometimes even the feet and money of your buddies to get those rare brews. That’s how I ended up getting my hands on this bottle of the 2018 Bourbon County Brand Coffee Barleywine from Goose Island Beer Company. . I have the luxury of working in Midtown Manhattan—ok it’s not always a luxury—with access to an entire city’s worth of craft beer. A quick search on @beernenus revealed the existence of a little bodega named the East Side Grocery, on 2nd Avenue, between 74th and 75th on the Upper East Side. Not only did the site say ESG had the BCBS, it also said they’d gotten the Barleywine, the Bramble Rye Stout AND the BCBS Reserve. Say what? . Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to make the 30-block walk. Rather than give up, I did some digging and found a friend that lived near the store. @kmagrips didn’t know she was going to be a Windowsill hero when she woke up yesterday, but she stepped up to the challenge and, although the bodega was out of the Reserve and the Bramble Rye, she snagged me the Coffee Barleywine on her way home! . The exciting part about this beer is that it’s the first ever Bourbon County Coffee Barleywine release. It’s a traditional, malt forward English-style Barleywine aged in 4+ year old Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels. Goose Island worked with Chicago’s Intelligentsia Coffee, flying all the way to Guatemala to source some of the world’s best coffee—Finca La Soledad. I’ve never had a coffee barleywine before, and I can’t wait to try it! . ABV: 15.1%, IBU: 60, Super limited availability . @untappd says: 4.3/5

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Goose Island Beer Company: 2018 Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Stout

Goose Island Beer Company: 2018 Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Stout

Style: Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels

Special Notes: Grade A vanilla beans from Madagascar. The vanilla stout makes its return to the Bourbon County Brand release after several years off the roster.

Hops: Millenium

Malts: 2-Row, Black Malt, Caramel, Chocolate, Munich, Roast Barley

ABV: 14.9%

IBU: 60

Availability: Did I get the wrong one?

@untappd says: 4.57/5

Thought I was done with these on the sill, but surprise, surprise!

There’s only one thing better than scoring a specialty release beer on the day it hits stores: Getting one of the rare variants three days after it reaches shelves! Thanks to my good buddy, Brian, and a well-placed day off from my day job, I managed to snag the Goose Island Beer Company Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Stout from Ridgefield Wine & Spirits in Ridgefield, CT.

Goose Island Beer Company: 2018 Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Stout
Got my bottle and headed back home! (Credit: Martin Stezano/Beers on Windowsills)

I was driving around town after running some errands, when I got the word from Brian. I immediately drove to get some coffee—a little Nitro from Donut Crazy in Westport—and then made the roughly 30-minute drive to Ridgefield. Although the cashier temporarily put a fright in me by saying the system showed they didn’t have any left, she quickly asked the manager and he came out from the back with a bottle for me. I snagged the second-to-last one!

I will be reposting this once I taste it—probably some time in early 2019—but I was too proud of my find to not share it with you guys. Like the other Bourbon County Brand Stouts, this one is aged in bourbon barrels that are at least four years old. However, Goose Island’s brewers decided to add Grade A vanilla beans from Madagascar to the mix. The vanilla variant has been gone from the Bourbon County Brand release lineup for a number of years, but it’s back for 2018… and on my Windowsill.

Check me out on Instagram. Like and follow my account for more great Bourbon County Brand finds!

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. Goose Island Beer Company: Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Stout (2018) . Thought I was done with these on the sill, but surprise, surprise! . There’s only one thing better than scoring a specialty release beer on the day it hits stores: Getting one of the rare variants three days after it reaches shelves! Thanks to my good buddy, @itsmeitsbmd1085, and a well-placed day off from my day job, I managed to snag the Goose Island Beer Company Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Stout from Ridgefield Wine & Spirits in Ridgefield, CT. . I was driving around town after running some errands, when I got the word from Brian. I immediately drove to get some coffee—a little Nitro from @donutcrazy in Westport—and then made the roughly 30-minute drive to Ridgefield. I snagged the second-to-last bottle! . I will be reposting this once I taste it—probably some time in early 2019—but I was too proud of my find to not share it with you guys. Like the other Bourbon County Brand Stouts, this one is aged in bourbon barrels that are at least four years old. However, Goose Island’s brewers decided to add Grade A vanilla beans from Madagascar to the mix. The vanilla variant has been gone from the Bourbon County Brand release lineup for a number of years, but it’s back for 2018… and on my Windowsill. . ABV: 14.9%, IBU: 60, Extremely limited availability . @untappd says: 4.57/5

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Goose Island Brewing Company: Bourbon County Brand Releases

Goose Island Beer Company: Bourbon County Brand Releases

Be vewwy, vewwy quiet. We’we hunting Bourbon County Brand stouts on the Windowsill today!

As a certified beer nerd, I have to do my best to get all those hard-to-find-brews, so… Yes. I hunted around town to bring home some Bourbon County Brand Stouts and its variants. This year, I was able to snag the 2018 Bourbon County Brand Stout, as well as the Bourbon County Brand Wheatwine and Bourbon County Brand Midnight Orange Stout flavors from Goose Island Beer Company. Although I haven’t tasted them, and won’t for a while, but I’m happy to add them to my collection. For this photo, I threw in the 2017 Bourbon County Brand Stout, which I bought last year, and the 2016 Bourbon County Brand Stout, which my good buddy Tom gifted me last year. You like?

Now, this release is not without controversy in the craft beer community. You see, back in 2011, the Chicago-based brewery was purchased… by Anheuser-Busch InBev. Yep… Big Beer. For many craft enthusiasts, this was the end of the Goose. No Big Beer will touch their lips, and so, no matter how good a Goose beer is, the Goose is dead to them. I respect that, but for me? If you take the time and care to make a beer like this, you’re still making craft. It’s craft supported by a giant corporation—the enemy of small batch and craft breweries everywhere—but it’s still a work of art. I still believe this beer is great, and I’ll continue to try to snag some every year… Big Beer or not.

What do you guys think? Should BCB lovers be ousted from the craft beer community? Or is it OK to lust after this quality stout every Black Friday? While you mull it over, check out some more information about the releases I’ve been able to score so far.

2016 Bourbon County Brand Stout

Goose Island Beer Company: 2016 Bourbon County Brand Stout
Goose Island Beer Company: 2016 Bourbon County Brand Stout. (Credit: Martin Stezano/Beers on Windowsills)

Style: Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels

Special Notes: Aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels that are at least 4 years old.

Hops: Millennium

Malts: 2-Row, Black Malt, Caramel, Chocolate, Munich 10, Roasted Barley

ABV: 13.8%

IBU: 60

Availability: No longer in production.

@untappd says: 4.55/5

2017 Bourbon County Brand Stout

Goose Island Beer Company: 2017 Bourbon County Brand Stout
Goose Island Beer Company: 2017 Bourbon County Brand Stout (Credit: Martin Stezano/Beers on Windowsills)

Style: Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels

Special Notes: Aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels that are at least 4 years old.

Hops: Millennium

Malts: 2-Row, Black Malt, Caramel, Chocolate, Munich 10, Roasted Barley

ABV: 14.1%

IBU: 60

Availability: No longer in production.

@untappd says: 4.49/5

2018 Bourbon County Brand Stout

Goose Island Beer Company: 2018 Bourbon County Brand Stout
Goose Island Beer Company: 2018 Bourbon County Brand Stout (Credit: Martin Stezano/Beers on Windowsills)

Style: Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels

Special Notes: Aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels that are at least 4 years old.

Hops: Millennium

Malts: 2-Row, Black Malt, Caramel, Chocolate, Munich 10, Roasted Barley

ABV: 14.7% or 15.2%

IBU: 60

Availability: Limited… like go now!

@untappd says: 4.51/5

2018 Bourbon County Brand Midnight Orange Stout

Goose Island Beer Company: 2018 Bourbon County Brand Midnight Orange Stout
Goose Island Beer Company: 2018 Bourbon County Brand Midnight Orange Stout (Credit: Martin Stezano/Beers on Windowsills)

Style: Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels

Special Notes: Spanish orange zest and chocolate added. It’s the first time fruit zest has been part of the recipe. Aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels that are at least 4 years old.

Hops: Millennium

Malts: 2-Row, Caramel, Chocolate, Debittered Black, Munich, Roast Barley

ABV: 15.2%

IBU: 60

Availability: Even more limited… Why are you still reading?

@untappd says: 4.29/5

2018 Bourbon County Brand Wheatwine Ale

Goose Island Beer Company: 2018 Bourbon County Brand Wheatwine Ale
Goose Island Beer Company: 2018 Bourbon County Brand Wheatwine Ale (Credit: Martin Stezano/Beers on Windowsills)

Style: Wheatwine Aged in Bourbon Barrels

Special Notes: The Wheatwine Ale is making its debut in 2018 as the first of the Bourbon County Brand brews to deviate from the imperial stout recipe since the Barleywine debuted back in 2013. Aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels that are at least 4 years old.

Hops: Pilgrim

Malts: 2-Row, White Wheat

ABV: 15.4%

IBU: 60

Availability: Even more limited… Why are you still reading?

@untappd says: 4.17/5

2018 Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Stout

Goose Island Beer Company: 2018 Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Stout
Goose Island Beer Company: 2018 Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Stout (Credit: Martin Stezano/Beers on Windowsills)

Style: Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels

Special Notes: Grade A vanilla beans from Madagascar. The vanilla stout makes its return to the Bourbon County Brand release after several years off the roster.

Hops: Millenium

Malts: 2-Row, Black Malt, Caramel, Chocolate, Munich, Roast Barley

ABV: 14.9%

IBU: 60

Availability: Did I get the wrong one?

@untappd says: 4.57/5

You might as well check them out on my Instagram page, too!

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. Goose Island Beer Company: Bourbon County Brand Releases (2018) . Be vewwy, vewwy quiet. We’we hunting stouts on the Windowsill today! . As a certified beer nerd, I have to do my best to get all those hard-to-find-brews, so.. Yes. I hunted around town to bring home some Bourbon County Brand Stouts and its variants. This year, I was able to snag the original, as well as the Wheatwine and Midnight Orange flavors from Goose Island Beer Company. Although I haven’t tasted them, and won’t for a while, but I’m happy to add them to my collection. For this photo, I threw in the 2017 BCB Stout, which I bought last year, and the 2016 BCB, which my good buddy @one_ill_tom gifted me last year. You like? . Now, this release is not without controversy in the craft beer community. You see, back in 2011, the Chicago-based brewery was purchased… by Anheuser-Busch InBev. Yep… Big Beer. For many craft enthusiasts, this was the end of the Goose. No Big Beer will touch their lips, and so, no matter how good a Goose beer is, the Goose is dead to them. I respect that, but for me? If you take the time and care to make a beer like this, you’re still making craft. It’s craft supported by a giant corporation—the enemy of small batch and craft breweries everywhere—but it’s still a work of art. I still believe this beer is great, and I’ll continue to try to snag some every year… Big Beer or not. . What do you guys think? Should BCB lovers be ousted from the craft beer community? Or is it OK to lust after this quality stout every Black Friday?

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