Media Release

Australians to get world-first taste of Goose Island’s 2018 Bourbon County Stout

Australians will be the first to try one of the world’s most coveted beers when it is released here next week.

Around 2,340 500ml bottles of 2018 Bourbon County Stout will go on sale with a recommended retail price $29 each from Friday 23 November at selected bottleshops.
Demand is expected to be high. After the Australian launch of last year’s brew, online retailers sold out in 29 seconds and traditional stores in 35 minutes after people queued for hours.

Goose will tap the world’s first 2018 sample at midnight on the morning of 23 November at iconic Melbourne bar The Everleigh. Additional events will held at Uncle Hops at The Bank Hotel in Sydney and the Dutch Trading Co. in Perth. Coveted 2017 variants will also be on offer for beer fans at each event.

Bourbon County Stout is brewed exclusively at Chicago’s Goose Island Brewery and has revolutionised craft beer since launching in 1992. A class defining barrel-aged Russian Imperial Stout, it’s aged in bourbon barrels for a year to create a masterpiece of deep flavours and textures.

Goose Island International President Ken Stout said: “For years people across the US have camped out to get a bottle and we’re delighted Australians are discovering what a special beer it is.”

“While it seems every craft brewery has now adopted a barrel-aging program, the legendary status of Bourbon County Stout ensures its enduring appeal and place within the beer world. Its history, flavour and cult-following mean there is no other beer like it.”

It will be on sale at Beermash, Collingwood and Vintage Cellars, Yarraville (Victoria), Bucket Boys, Marrickville and Vintage Cellars, Newtown (New South Wales), Mane Liquor, Belmont (WA) and online through Boozebud, Purvis Beer, Dan Murphy’s and Beer Cartel.
For more detail about where to buy it, the event at The Everleigh or subsequent launch events in Sydney and Perth visit here.

Tasting Notes

Bourbon County Stout (14.7% ABV) is aged in 4+ year old Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels and the original bourbon barrel-aged stout tastes as good as when we first brewed it over 20 years ago.

Flavours of cocoa, vanilla, caramel, almond, cherry, plus leather and tobacco flavors permeate this complex beer and deepen with each sip.