Goose Island unveiled its 2026 collection of Bourbon County barrel-aged stouts ahead of their traditional Black Friday debut, showcasing six different expressions, including the first-ever Bourbon County expression finished in rum casks, a stout inspired by pineapple upside-down cake and a barleywine aged across three different oak varieties.
The 2026 lineup comprises:
2026 Bourbon County Brand Original Stout
Aged an average of 13 months in bourbon barrels from Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, Four Roses and Wild Turkey, the expression remains the foundation of the Bourbon County lineup.
The ABV this year is 14.2%, down a bit from last year’s, which contained 14.8%.
It is said to have notes of vanilla, cherry, cocoa, toasted almond and caramelized sugar, with the brewery describing the beer as delivering flavors of fudge, vanilla and caramelized sugar wrapped in a rich mouthfeel.
It continues the legacy of Goose Island's 1992 original which was first created to celebrate its 1,000th batch. The bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout is available for the second straight year in four-packs of 10-ounce bottles, replacing the traditional single 16.9-ounce format.
2026 Bourbon County Brand Tiramisu Cask Finish Stout
The biggest first for the 2026 lineup comes with Tiramisu Cask Finish Stout, which marks the first time Goose Island has finished a Bourbon County stout in rum barrels.
The beer is first aged in bourbon barrels before being transferred into rum casks, where it ages alongside espresso, cocoa nibs and vanilla.
Inspired by the classic Italian dessert, the stout pairs Bourbon County’s signature chocolate and vanilla profile with rich espresso, fudge, and delicate pastry flavors.
2026 Bourbon County Brand Apple Crisp Stout
This expression is inspired by homemade apple crisp, this year’s Apple Crisp Stout is aged in bourbon barrels with apple, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, oats and panela sugar.
Goose Island has said that this beer should complement the flavors naturally associated with bourbon barrels, such as notes of fresh baked oat crumble, caramel and crisp apple.
The addition of spices aims to enhance the barrel’s existing toasted characteristics rather than overpower them.
2026 Bourbon County Brand Proprietor’s Stout (Pineapple Upside Down Cake)
The annual Chicago-exclusive Proprietor’s Stout takes inspiration from pineapple upside-down cake, which should present main notes of vanilla-soaked cake, caramelized fruit and toasted oak.
Created by Goose Island barrel team member Chase Craig, the stout is aged with pineapple, Montmorency cherries and panela sugar layered onto the brewery’s bourbon barrel-aged base.
2026 Bourbon County Brand Triple Oak Barleywine
For the first time in the 2026 lineup, Goose Island moves beyond stout with a barrel-aged barleywine.
Aged first in Kentucky straight bourbon barrels, the Triple Oak Barleywine is finished in barrels made from three distinct oak species: Chinkapin, French, and Hungarian oak.
Inspired by the oak variety blend in Angel’s Envy Triple Oak Bourbon, this beer showcases each wood’s distinct character, featuring notes of burnt caramel, delicate baking spice, and stone fruit.
2026 Bourbon County Brand Toasted Barrel Rye Stout
The final expression incorporates both rye whiskey barrels and toasted oak.
Aged first in Elijah Craig Straight Rye Whiskey barrels, the Rye Stout was finished in Elijah Craig toasted barrels to deepen its oak character, yielding notes of crème brûlée, toasted hazelnut, and sweet oak.
The full 2026 Bourbon County Brand Stout lineup will be released on Black Friday, Nov. 27, 2026. Additional details, including ABV, will be revealed closer to the release.
Kanpai!
88 Bamboo Editorial Team
