Goose Island Beer Company Bourbon County Brand Bramble Rye Stout (2018) Imperial Stout at 12.7% ABV (US$23.00 shared tasting with Norm, 500 ml, packaged on 23-Aug-2019, acquired 27-Feb-2019, reviewed 27-Feb-2019)
Appearance: clear brown with a short beige head diminishing rapidly to a thin ring, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: blackberries and field berries, rye whiskey, vanilla, chocolate. (9/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter, moderate tart. (9/10) Palate: medium body tending thin and slightly slick, moderate carbonation, mildly tart warming finish. (4/5)
Pours surprisingly thin, with a very short-lived head – but that’s pretty much where the disappointment ends. Huge fruity notes on the nose become even more apparent upon warming, and that field berry flavour follows through on the tongue without excessive sweetness. It seems like the thinness of the body actually improves drinkability here given the higher-tending sweetness, stopping it from becoming cloying. Really interesting and lots of fun. (17/20)
8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
