Beer Review: Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout (2011 vintage)

Reviewing the Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout from Goose Island Brewing Company.
Score: 97

"2011" vintage bottle (it was actually released in February 2012) served in god-knows-what-you-call-this glass (a footed pilsner glass? a water glass?) and enjoyed on 02/25/12 at Rock's in Lakeview.

Appearance: Black as night, vacuum of light. Totally opaque. Pours a pencil thin tan ring of head around the glass. A vigorous swirl creates a pattern of milk chocolate chocolate head that covers maybe 1/3 of the top of the beer and which quickly disappears after you stop swirling. Oily lacing with no retention. This is stout is heavy and imposing in appearance. 4/5

Smell: Rich dark chocolate, faint  coffee and dark fruit. Raisin, smooth vanilla, mellow bourbon, and sweet milk chocolate. There is a very faint black licorice/anise aroma in the nose too. Very rich and balanced aroma. 4.75/5

Taste: Super rich chocolate and sweet bourbon soaked raisins throughout. Not a whole lot of coffee upfront, but there is plenty of lingering, smooth and unacidic roasty coffee and creamy espresso toward the end and in the finish. Mellow bourbon, sweet molasses, and dark fruit on midpalate. Hints of oak and a little black licorice at points. As this beer layers and warms, a bourbon soaked raisin flavor grows in the otherwise smooth coffee finish. Very rich and complex. Tastes a lot like the regular Bourbon County Brand Stout, but with a delectable coffee twist. Yum! 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, virtually no carbonation. Sweet and slightly savory finish. Syrupy mouthfeel. 5/5

Overall: Just as tasty as the Bourbon County Brand Stout, but with a delectable coffee twist. The 2010 vintage was much more coffee forward, but the 2011 vintage is still an improvement over regular Bourbon County.

Recommendations: It is hard to find a bottle of this stuff outside of restaurants right now, but this is a brew absolutely worth seeking out. Just make sure to bring a friend to split the bottle with you, because at 13+% ABV and 400-500 calories per 12 oz, you won't want to drink the whole 22 oz by yourself!

Pairings: French vanilla ice cream.

Cost: $26 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle at the bar, $15.99 in stores.