Every fall, beer enthusiasts across America eagerly await the release of Goose Island Beer Co.’s Bourbon County Brand Stout lineup, a tradition that has defined craft beer since 1992. This Chicago-based brewery, credited with creating the world’s first bourbon barrel-aged stout, continues to set the standard for bold, complex brews. The 2025 Bourbon County Brand Family, hitting shelves on Black Friday, November 28, 2025, delivers six unique stouts that showcase the brewery’s mastery of barrel aging, innovative ingredients, and partnerships with top-tier distilleries. From the iconic Original Stout to exclusive variants like the Proprietor’s Stout, this year’s lineup is a celebration of craftsmanship, flavor, and tradition.
For 2025, Goose Island introduces a game-changer: the Bourbon County Brand Original Stout is now available in 10-ounce four-packs, a first for the brewery. This new format makes it easier to enjoy the legendary stout in smaller pours, perfect for savoring alone by a fire or sharing during a tasting with friends. While the recipe remains true to its roots, the smaller bottles offer more flexibility, whether you’re pairing it with a hearty meal or gifting it to a fellow beer lover. The 2025 lineup builds on this innovation, with each variant crafted to highlight the rich, layered flavors that emerge from time spent in carefully selected barrels.
Image credit: Goose Island
Bourbon County Brand Original Stout: The Timeless Classic
The 2025 Bourbon County Brand Original Stout remains the heart of the lineup. Aged for an average of 12 months in a blend of freshly emptied bourbon barrels from Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, Four Roses, and Wild Turkey, this imperial stout delivers a decadent experience. Expect deep notes of fudge, vanilla, cherry, cocoa, toasted almond, and caramelized sugar, all wrapped in a rich, velvety mouthfeel. Its balance of sweetness and complexity makes it a versatile beer, ideal for sipping slowly or pairing with desserts like chocolate cake or smoked meats. The new 10-ounce four-pack format, available nationally in bottles and on draft, invites drinkers to enjoy this classic in new ways, from casual evenings to special occasions.
Cherries Jubilee Stout: A Fruity, Elegant Twist
The 2025 Bourbon County Brand Cherries Jubilee Stout takes inspiration from the classic dessert, blending the stout’s bold character with sophisticated flavors. This variant starts in bourbon barrels, which impart oak, vanilla, and baking spice notes, before finishing in cognac barrels for added elegance. The brewers then add Montmorency cherries, citrus, and panela (unrefined cane sugar), creating a beer with burnished cocoa, vibrant dark stone fruit, and a caramelized citrus finish. Available nationally in 16.9-ounce bottles and on draft, this stout is a perfect match for a cozy night or a celebratory toast, with its velvety texture and fruit-forward profile.
Chocolate Praline Stout: Decadent and Nutty
For those who crave decadence, the 2025 Bourbon County Brand Chocolate Praline Stout is a standout. This imperial stout, aged in freshly emptied bourbon barrels, draws out the natural roasted malt and dried fruit notes of the Original Stout. The addition of cocoa nibs, hazelnuts, almonds, cashews, and dates creates a rich, dessert-like experience with flavors of fudge, toasted marzipan, and chewy toffee. Available in 16.9-ounce bottles and on draft across national markets, this stout is a crowd-pleaser for anyone who loves bold, nutty flavors. Pair it with a charcuterie board or enjoy it as a dessert in itself.
Proprietor’s Stout: A Chicago-Only Gem
Exclusive to the Chicago market, the 2025 Bourbon County Brand Proprietor’s Stout is a love letter to the city that birthed Goose Island. Inspired by brewer Colby Magratten’s memories of homemade baklava, this imperial stout is aged in bourbon barrels and infused with walnuts, pistachios, cassia bark (a cinnamon-like spice), and honey. The result is a dessert-inspired beer with caramelized honeycomb, warm baking spice, and roasted candied nuts. Available in 16.9-ounce bottles and on draft, this Chicago-only release is a must for locals or visitors looking to taste something truly unique. Its nutty warmth and subtle sweetness make it a perfect companion for chilly Midwest evenings.
Double Barrel Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Stout: Bold and Robust
The 2025 Bourbon County Brand Double Barrel Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Stout is a testament to the power of collaboration. Goose Island partnered with Heaven Hill Distillery, a name synonymous with quality bourbon, to create this bold imperial stout. Aged in two sets of Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond bourbon barrels, this beer showcases toasted marshmallow, warm vanilla, and a pronounced oak finish. The double-barrel aging process amplifies the bourbon’s influence, making this a robust choice for whiskey lovers. Available nationally in 16.9-ounce bottles and on draft, it’s a beer that demands slow sipping to appreciate its layered complexity.
Parker’s Heritage Reserve Stout: A Collector’s Dream
Rounding out the lineup is the 2025 Bourbon County Brand Parker’s Heritage Reserve Stout, a tribute to the legacy of Heaven Hill’s Master Distiller Parker Beam. This imperial stout is aged for two years in barrels from the Parker’s Heritage Collection 17th Edition 10-year-old rye whiskey, a rare and prestigious cask. The extended aging draws out concentrated layers of cocoa, dried fruit, marzipan, and nuanced rye spice, creating a contemplative beer that rewards patience. Available nationally in 16.9-ounce bottles and on draft, this stout is a collector’s dream, perfect for those who appreciate the intersection of beer and whiskey craftsmanship.
A Legacy of Innovation
Goose Island’s Bourbon County Brand Stout began in 1992 to celebrate the brewery’s 1,000th batch, a bold experiment that was initially disqualified from the Great American Beer Festival for its unprecedented style. Today, it’s the gold standard for barrel-aged stouts, with each release aving tradition with innovation. As Todd Ahsmann, President of Goose Island Beer Co., reflects, the new 10-ounce bottles for the Original Stout make it more accessible for everyday moments, while still honoring the beer’s iconic status. Mike Siegel, Senior Innovation Manager, emphasizes the importance of the barrels, noting partnerships with distilleries like Heaven Hill elevate each release. Brewmaster Daryl Hoedtke adds that the 2025 variants are designed to highlight the core characteristics of the Original Stout, from cocoa and cherries to honey and bourbon.
Image credit: Goose Island
The collaboration with Heaven Hill Distillery is particularly noteworthy. The Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 set a high standard for American whiskey, and Heaven Hill’s legacy of crafting exceptional bourbon since 1939 shines through in the Double Barrel and Parker’s Heritage Reserve stouts. Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll highlights how the rye whiskey barrels complement the stout’s chocolate and coffee notes with classic baking spice, creating a harmonious balance.
Why You Should Grab These Stouts
For beer lovers, the 2025 Bourbon County Brand Stout lineup offers something for every palate, from the approachable Original to the exclusive Proprietor’s Stout. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the series, these beers are crafted to be savored, shared, and celebrated. Mark your calendars for Black Friday, November 28, 2025, and check with local retailers, taprooms, or Goose Island’s distribution channels for availability, as these limited releases tend to sell out quickly. Whether you’re cracking open a 10-ounce bottle of Original Stout or sipping the rare Parker’s Heritage Reserve, Goose Island’s 2025 lineup promises unforgettable moments for those who appreciate bold flavors and timeless craftsmanship.
