The notion of dessert is threaded throughout this year’s Bourbon County Brand Stout (BCBS) lineup from Anheuser-Busch InBev-owned Goose Island.
In addition to BCBS flagship Original Stout, which will launch in 10 oz. bottle 4-packs for the first time in November, nationally available variants include:
- Cherries Jubilee Stout, aged in cognac barrels with Montmorency cherries, citrus and panela, which is evaporated and solidified cane sugar juice;
- Chocolate Praline Stout, aged in bourbon barrels with cocoa nibs, hazelnuts, almonds, cashews and dates;
- Double Barrel Stout, aged in Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond bourbon barrels;
- Reserve Stout, aged for two years in 10-year-old barrels of Parker’s Heritage Collection 17th Edition Rye.
“At Goose Island, we consider the barrel to be an ingredient – and not just any barrel,” Goose Island senior innovation manager Mike Siegel said in a press release. “We seek out the best and prioritize relationships with the distilleries that craft them. Heaven Hill produces world-class whiskey across a range of brands, including several we’ve partnered with for Bourbon County over the years, such as Elijah Craig, Old Fitzgerald, Larceny, and Rittenhouse Rye.
“This year, we’re releasing two new beers aged in their barrels: one highlighting the distillery itself with Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond, and another aged in barrels from the Parker’s Heritage Collection 10-year 17th Edition Rye Whiskey – one of their most prized annual releases, and a barrel we’ve long hoped to work with for Bourbon County.”
The 2025 BCBS Proprietor’s Stout, which was developed in collaboration with a Goose Island staff member, is only available in Chicago. This year’s edition comes from brewer Colby Magratten, who found inspiration in the beehives her aunt keeps on a “Rhode Island homestead,” according to the release. The beer was aged in bourbon barrels with walnuts, pistachios, cassia bark and honey to resemble the flavor of baklava.
Other than Original Stout, all variants will be available in the brand’s signature 16.9 oz. bottles and on draft. Keeping with the tradition started in 2008, the BCBS lineup goes on sale at participating retailers on Black Friday, which falls on November 28.
2025 Original Stout was aged for an average of 12 months in barrels from four bourbon producers: Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, Four Roses and Wild Turkey.
Original Stout’s new package format “has been years in the making,” president Todd Ahsmann said in the release.
“It’s breaking down barriers for beer lovers to enjoy this beer during more occasions,” he said. “Whether you’re celebrating life’s little moments or simply don’t want to wait for stout season, our new 10 oz. bottle makes Bourbon County Stout easier to enjoy.”
Long after the craft beer industry moved on from large bottles and then bottles all together, BCBS remains the most visible use case for the format.
Original Stout’s new smaller size comes as fellow craft pioneer, Kirin-owned New Belgium, explores Mini Rippers, 7.5 oz. cans for its Voodoo Ranger Juice Force and Tropic Force hazy imperial IPAs. Smaller servings of higher-ABV offerings align with consumer trends of moderation and health and wellness.
The change also comes after a year of double-digit declines in both dollar sales (-34.3%) and volume (-70.4%) for Original Stout in NIQ-tracked off-premise channels [year-to-date (YTD) through December 28, 2024], according to data shared by 3 Tier Beverages. YTD through June 14, 2025, the offering is recording growth (dollar sales +15.1%, volume +20.6%).
Goose Island ended 2024 with its overall dollar sales about flat (-0.2%) and volume down 3.1%. So far this year, the brewery has recorded growth in dollar sales (+3.1% YTD), but also volume loss (-1.3%). Contributing to part of that dollar sales growth is a $1.93 increase in average price per case, to $45.02.