Goose Island Bourbon County Brand 30th Anniversary Reserve Stout 500ML

Goose Island Bourbon County Brand 30th Anniversary Reserve Stout is a 500ML, 14.4% ABV imperial stout aged in a blend of Jim Beam Small Batch Collection bourbon barrels. This limited release carries a 4.55 out of 5 rating on Untappd, reflecting its status as one of the most sought-after entries in the Bourbon County lineup. It marks a dual celebration: thirty years of the Bourbon County Brand Stout program and thirty years since Jim Beam launched its original Small Batch Bourbon Collection.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.4%  |  Origin: Illinois, USA  |  Style: Imperial Stout  |  Brewery: Goose Island Beer Co.

Production & Heritage

Goose Island Beer Co., founded in 1988 in Chicago, Illinois, created the original Bourbon County Brand Stout in 1992 — widely credited as the first commercially released bourbon barrel-aged beer in America. The 30th Anniversary Reserve expression distinguishes itself through a precise barrel blend drawn from Jim Beam's Small Batch Bourbon Collection: 36% Booker's barrels, 33% Knob Creek barrels, 17% Basil Hayden barrels, and 14% Baker's barrels. Each barrel type contributes a different character profile, from the high-proof intensity of Booker's to the lighter spice influence of Basil Hayden, creating a layered stout unlike the standard Bourbon County release.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bold waves of dark chocolate and caramel arrive first, followed by roasted coffee and bourbon-soaked oak. A subtle sweetness reminiscent of vanilla and molasses rounds out the nose.

Taste: The entry is full-bodied and luscious, immediately coating the palate with rich cocoa and toffee. At mid-palate, vanilla and molasses develop alongside warming bourbon heat. Cherry and almond notes surface toward the peak, adding complexity without competing with the chocolate backbone.

Finish: Long and warming, with lingering bourbon spice, dark fruit, and toasted oak that persist well after each sip. The oak tannins provide gentle structure without astringency, leaving a lasting impression of dark chocolate and barrel char.

How to Drink the 30th Anniversary Reserve

Serve this stout at cellar temperature, around 50–55°F, to allow the full barrel character and chocolate richness to express themselves. A tulip glass or snifter concentrates the complex aromas. Given the 14.4% ABV and intricate barrel blend, this is best savored slowly on its own rather than mixed into cocktails — the layered bourbon barrel influence rewards patience and attention with every sip.

Best For

• Gifting a serious craft beer collector who values barrel-aged rarities
• Celebrating a milestone anniversary or special achievement
• Side-by-side tastings comparing barrel-aged imperial stouts
• Adding to a cellar for vertical or horizontal Bourbon County Brand aging experiments

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the 30th Anniversary Reserve taste like? It delivers a rich, full-bodied profile dominated by dark chocolate, vanilla, and toffee, with warming bourbon spice and subtle cherry and almond notes emerging through the mid-palate. The finish is long, with toasted oak and dark fruit lingering well after each sip.

How does the 30th Anniversary Reserve compare to Founders KBS? Both are bourbon barrel-aged imperial stouts, but the 30th Anniversary Reserve uses a specific four-barrel blend from Jim Beam's Small Batch Collection, resulting in more pronounced vanilla and oak complexity compared to KBS, which is aged in bourbon and coffee caves. The 30th Anniversary Reserve also runs higher in ABV at 14.4% versus KBS, which typically sits around 12%.

Is the 30th Anniversary Reserve good for sipping neat? Absolutely — this is a contemplative sipper designed to be enjoyed slowly at cellar temperature in a tulip glass or snifter, where the nuanced contributions from four distinct bourbon barrel types can be fully appreciated.

Where is the 30th Anniversary Reserve made? It is brewed by Goose Island Beer Co. in Chicago, Illinois, and aged in bourbon barrels sourced from the Jim Beam distillery in Kentucky. Goose Island has been producing bourbon barrel-aged stouts since 1992.

What foods pair well with the 30th Anniversary Reserve? Dark chocolate truffles complement the stout's cocoa backbone. Smoked brisket stands up to the barrel intensity and bourbon heat. Blue cheese offers a sharp, salty contrast to the malt sweetness. Crème brûlée echoes the vanilla and caramel tones. Pecan pie mirrors the toasty, nutty oak character from the Knob Creek and Baker's barrels.

What sizes does the 30th Anniversary Reserve come in? This release is available in a 500ML bottle, the standard format for Goose Island's special Bourbon County Brand reserve variants.

Is the 30th Anniversary Reserve worth the price? This positions as an ultra-premium, limited-release expression within the Bourbon County Brand portfolio, carrying a price tag that reflects its specialized four-barrel blend, anniversary significance, and collectibility. For fans of barrel-aged stouts, the layered complexity from distinct Booker's, Knob Creek, Basil Hayden, and Baker's barrels provides genuine differentiation from standard releases.

Why the 30th Anniversary Reserve?

The defining feature of this stout is its precisely proportioned four-barrel blend — 36% Booker's, 33% Knob Creek, 17% Basil Hayden, and 14% Baker's — a combination that no other Bourbon County variant has used. This barrel program ties directly to Jim Beam's own Small Batch Collection, which also marked its 30th anniversary, making the release a genuine convergence of two milestone programs in American craft beverage history. With a 4.55/5 Untappd rating and limited availability, it has quickly become one of the most decorated entries in the modern Bourbon County lineup. For collectors and enthusiasts who follow the Bourbon County Brand series year after year, this anniversary reserve represents a once-produced expression unlikely to be replicated.