Goose Island Bourbon County Stout

[Aventinus]

This is a great brew if you can find it. I call it dessert in a glass, because it has so much chocolate and vanilla flavor.
The label has some comments from the brewer. He says it is a great beer to have with a cigar, but he couldn't find one that could hold up to the beer.
I thought I would take the challenge. I looked through the humidor and chose the Opus Petit Lancero.

It was a great looking stick with a nice cedar aroma to it. The draw was a little tight, and the smoke volume was a little stingy to start. After about an inch, I snipped a little more off, and it opened up. I've only smoked a couple of Opus, and I always expect them to be some type of powerhouse. The actually seem a little more refined to me, but it still had plenty of strength. I had a pleasant nic buzz towards the end. Medium bodied, I wasn't catching descriptive flavors very well.

Burned well, although it did go out about halfway. The beer more than held it's own, very full bodied with a great mouthfeel. All in all, I would say I was a little underwhelmed by the Opus. It certainly wasn't bad, but it didn't wow me either. I really like the PL size (6.25x39). I smoked it a little past where the band would be. About 1:15 smoke time.

 

[bmd34202]

The beer sounds great! I'm a stout whore so I'll try to find it around here.

Umm...is it me or is there something disturbing about that frog cigar combo? ???

 

[Smoking Mex]

Anyone know where to find this brew? ??? Looks great and PL is a favorite of many Opus smokers.

 

[davidr2340]

That really sounds like a great beer! I would love to find some as well!
Thanks for the review, and great pictures... even the frog!!! ???

 

[Aventinus]

Anyone know where to find this brew? ??? Looks great and PL is a favorite of many Opus smokers.

I'm not sure how often they release this. I picked it up around Christmas, and that was my last bottle.
It's pretty pricy, but well worth it. I haven't seen it around since then.

Bourbon Barrel aging seems to be getting popular. Schlafly had a nice Imperial Stout. My mother out in Cali hooked me up with a bottle of Firestone Walker's 10th Anniversary beer that was amazing. O'Fallon out of St. Louis aged some of their smoked porter in a Bourbon Barrel as well.

 

[denverdog]

Great review and photos Aventinus. It looks like it was a beautiful day and you captured the moment well. I look forward to tracking this beer down as it sounds like a champ. Thanks!