President's Day with The Stout - 2024 Reserve

As we think about our past great presidents, such as George Washington, I wonder what they would think of today’s craft beer. President Washington was known to enjoy a good Porter. It would be incredible to see what he would think about Zipline Brewing Co’s barrel-aged The Stout.

The 2024 Reserver was barrel-aged in Cabernet Sauvignon and Bourbon barrels. The flavor profile changes as it warms. My first sip had prominent chocolate and cherry notes. As the stout warms, the oakiness comes out in this full-bodied stout. The wine barrel adds another characteristic: a bit of dryness that kicks in on the back and side tastebuds.

It is an incredibly big stout, coming in at 13.7% ABV! Zipline Brewing covers the spectrum of craft beer, and I enjoy trying all the styles they make. It is always a presidential type of day when you have a glass of Zipline Brewing beer!

Cheers!

The Spumoni of Bourbon County Stouts

It has been many years since I have had Spumoni. It is a layered delight of chocolate, strawberry, and pistachio ice cream. I believe that my grandmother introduced it to me. I do remember the combination of wonderful flavors!

Goose Island’s 2020 Proprietor’s Bourbon County Stout brings those flavors back together in this 14.2% ABV barrel-aged stout! The nose is definitely chocolate with a bit of oak and bourbon. The notes are chocolate-forward with a bit of vanilla. The middle introduces the bourbon. In the finish, I get tart cherry notes and the warmth of this big stout. I couldn’t pick up on the pistachios, but that flavor is usually very subtle in Porters and Stouts.

I am grateful to the friend from Chicago who gifted me this fantastic stout! It has been taken care of very well. This three-year-old stout, I would imagine, has changed from the original release date but has matured exceptionally!

Cheers!