In 1992, Chicago brewpub Goose Island wanted to do something unique and different to celebrate their 1000th batch of beer . According to the Goose Island team, the now local brewing favorite, in just their 4th year of operation at the time, decided on the idea to age a beer in bourbon barrels acquired from distillers along Kentucky’s Whiskey Trail. What resulted was the Original Bourbon County Brand Stout, the first ever barrel-aged Imperial Stout of its kind. Originally only sold on draft at the company’s Chicago bar, the first iteration of the now celebrated beer was so bold and innovative that its submission to the Great American Beer Fest that year was initially disqualified because the organizers did not have a category to classify the beverage under.

Fast forward to today, and Goo

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