Goose Island Brewing

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Goose Island Proprietor’s could feature scotch whisky barrels

Goose Island Proprietor's Scotch Whiskey

Goose Island Proprietor’s Bourbon County Stout is a variant of the brewery’s widely known barrel-aged series, and may feature new barrel aging in its 2016 release.

In 2015, Goose Island Proprietor’s Bourbon County Brand Stout incorporated bourbon barrel-aging, plus maple, toasted pecans and Guajilo peppers. In the 2014 and 2013 releases, the barrels were rye whiskey.

It is important to note, that according to Goose Island the final barrels/blend for Proprietor’s Bourbon County have not been chosen. For now, it seems to be the direction the wind is blowing.

A Scotch whiskey variant is a new spin on this ever-evolving brand extension. Scotch barrels definitely bring a different kind of flavor profile into the mix. Depending on the scotch barrels, the resulting beer could be quite peaty and smoky (Scotch like Lagavulin and Islay). Single malts from producers like Speyside are a lighter, even slightly sweeter flavor.

The Proprietor’s release is designed as gift for the Chicago local and loyal. It’s meant to be a little weird, and fun. Scotch barrels are a new twist.

That is. If Goose Island uses them.

Variants of Proprietors include: 

2014 variant – Made in Rye barrels with Cassia Bark, Cocoa Nibs, Panela and Coconut Water
2013 variant – Rye Whiskey Barrels with Toasted Coconut

Posted in Goose Island Brewing, New Beers

Goose Island Ferme La Mure

Goose Island Ferme La Mure

Goose Island Ferme La Mure

Posted in Goose Island Brewing, Headlines

Goose Island Chateau Noir Imperial Stout, a bottle potential

Goose Island Chateau Noir Imperial Stout

Goose Island Chateau Noir Imperial Stout is potentially on the horizon by the Chicago, Illinois brewery.

Barrel aged releases are the among the most sought after Goose Island beers. Goose Island Chateau Noir is an imperial stout, aged in Cabernet barrels for 14 months.

Dried fruit aromas and vanilla and currant tones frame the flavors of Chateau Noir. This Imperial Stout balances malty sweetness with wine-like tannins and acidity imparted by Cabernet barrels.

Goose Island Chateau Noir will be bottled in 16.9 ounce bottles (much like the Bourbon County Brand Stout). The brewery has not yet announced this beer.

Style: Imperial Stout (Wine Barrel Aged.)
Availability: 16.9 oz Bottles
Release: TBA

12% ABV

Posted in Goose Island Brewing, Brewery Expansions

Goose Island Pub to open in Las Vegas

The Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada is the next home of Goose Island. While the spot doesn’t tout any brewing equipment, the setup will include a full restaurant, and bottles of the highly sought after Bourbon County Brand Stout. This is one of the first new pub builds after the Anheuser-Busch acquisition years ago.

“We’ve been pouring Goose Island beers at our venues for quite some time now,” said Jon Newton, vice president of food and beverage at Hard Rock Hotel. “We are honored to welcome the pub to the Hard Rock Hotel family and are excited to serve the best beers in town.”

In addition to the beer, the food lineup will look a bit like this:

  • Cast Iron Chicago Pizza Dip– marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, basil and giardiniera; served with garlic crust on the side.
  • South Side Deli– generous amount of corned beef, cole slaw, tomato and mustard made with Goose Honker’s Ale; served on rye bread with house potato chips on the side.
  • Shrimp Po Boy– fried shrimp, iceberg lettuce, tomato and creole mayo made with Goose 312 Wheat Ale; served on a hoagie roll with house potato chips on the side.

More on the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. (Opens in new window.)

 

Posted in Don't Miss This, Goose Island Brewing, New Releases

Goose Four Star Pils debuts February 29th

Goose Island Four Star Pils

Goose Four Star Pils hits shelves on February 29th, 2016.

In 2015, Goose Island released Blue Line, the Chicago based brewery’s take on a traditional pils. The beer’s warm reception has prompted it to be re-released as Goose Four Star Pils later this month. The four stars pays homage to their Chicago, emblematic of the city’s flag.

This golden-hued pilsner has a light body, crisp hop aroma and a clean, refreshing finish, Bright refreshing carbonation mingles with German and American hops to give this pilsner a unique Goose Island spin.

Goose Four Star Pils is a draft 12oz can and bottle release, nationally.

Style: Pilsner
Hops: Mt. Hood, Meridian, Equinox
Malts: 2-Row Munich, C-20

Availability: 12oz Bottes, 12oz Cans, Draft
Release: 2/29/16

5.1% ABV, 44 IBUs

Posted in Goose Island Brewing

No Goose Island Bourbon County kegs in Georgia, Coffee only

Update: Goose Island reached out to us, confirming the state will not be receiving Bourbon County Brand Stout. Unfortunately, all the lower ABV blends have been allocated. According to Goose Island, only Bourbon County Coffee will be sold this year in Georgia in 2015, as it complies with the state’s 14% ABV cap.

On Black Friday 2015, Goose Island will release their celebrated Bourbon County Brand Stout. While most of the country shops, the beer fans will be drinking 14% ABV barrel-aged imperial stout. As it stands right now, not in Georgia.

The state has a limitation on beer’s alcohol by volume, setting the cap at 14% ABV.

For the states that suffer from this limitation, there is a frationally lower ABV edition of BCBS (13.8%), that GI blends so the beer is legal to sell in those states.

The Bourbon County that finished over 14% was accidentally shipped to Georgia. From the letter send to local distributors, Anheuser Busch/Goose Island requests it not be sold in the state, and shipped back to the brewery.

We have reached out to Goose Island distributor Atlanta Beverage in regards to this issue – they tell Beer Street Journal that they are doing everything they can to swap kegs if possible in order to get Bourbon County Stout in the state.

Check back here for more as it happens.

Posted in Goose Island Brewing, New Beers