Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Goose Island Barrel Aged Outfoxxed

Beer:  Barrel Aged Outfoxxed (BAO)

Brewery:  Goose Island

Date:  March 2nd, 2014

Style:  Brown Ale

ABV:  8.0%

Description:
As Chicago breweries go, Goose Island's already about as well-known as the Bears and roughly as successful as the Blackhawks (of the last 5 years).  With that considerable pedigree and with the great commercial (312, Honker's Ale) and critical (Bourbon County Stout) successes of many of their best-known beers, my expectations for them are understandably rather lofty.  Despite their recent change of ownership, BAO is an encouraging sign that it doesn't appear that they'll be resting upon their laurels any time soon.

First Impression:
Deep, chocolate brown with a two finger beige head.

Smell:
Bourbon and chocolate abound, with malts in the background.
 
Taste:
A wondrous combination of chocolate, vanilla, bourbon, and those underlying roasted malts which I smelled previously.  The cocoa taste complements the bourbon admirably.  Sweet but not imbalanced.  Moderately strong alcohol finish.

On the Palate:
Mild carbonation, though a surprisingly light mouthfeel for such a flavorful beer.

Why You'll like It:
In writing this, I fully realize that BAO won't appeal to everyone.  It's strong, fairly sweet, and unabashedly chocolaty.  Well worth a taste for anyone who appreciates a good barley wine, imperial stout, or other robust, flavorful styles.

In Closing...:
Not your typical brown ale, but, for all of the above reasons, a must-try.  

Rating (out of 5):




You call that "Head Retention"?  Now *this* is...


Hazelnut color, bourbon aroma, dark chocolate and vanilla flavor, medium-rich body. Aged 8 months in 12 yr Elijah Craig Bourbon Barrels.

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