AleDog

This next review comes from my friend Sean Colleran who you will see here with more reviews in the future.

Recently cracked open a Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Rare, and was a little disappointed.  It’s a fantastic beer, but it’s maybe 10% better than the regular version, and it’s 500% more expensive.  It’s a little smoother than the standard version because it’s a few years old, and the bourbon aftertaste is slightly better because they used barrels from a better whisky.  Otherwise, it’s the same as any other Bourbon County Stout, and still not as good as the Vanilla or Coffee versions, which are also way cheaper and (ironically) rarer.  While its insane price and over-hyped release make it a very poor value, it’s still one of the best barrel aged stouts around.  Pours as thick as motor oil, lots of great flavors (chocolate, vanilla, bourbon, and oak), and a nice warming feeling from the high alcohol.  A+ beer, but not worth standing in line outside in minus six degree weather for the privilege of shelling out more than $50 per bottle on a beer that is rare in name only and not as good as some of their other offerings.

Grade (due to price): B