Goose Island Beer Company Big John

Big John

 

Goose Island Beer Company in Chicago, Illinois, United States 🇺🇸

  Stout - Imperial Rotating Out of Production
Score
7.81
ABV: 11.5% IBU: 60 Ticks: 79
Inspired by the epic skyline of Chicago, Goose Island’s brewers set out to craft Big John; a tall, bold slugger of a stout that stands out vividly against the little soft beers out there. Epic amounts of roasted malt and an addition of cacao nibs give Big John a massive chocolate flavor and aroma. With a body as substantial and black as the building to which it pays homage, Big John is sure to inspire a sense of awe with every sip.
 

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8.5
Appearance - 10 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 10 | Overall - 8

Black pour, mocha head. Bitter cocoa, very sweet roasted malts, burnt sugar, vanilla and caramel. The mouthfeel is very thick, and creamy. Loads of sweetness, cocoa, vanilla and a sweet urnt sugar/malt finish. Reminds me alot f the bourbon county minus the barrel, nice stuff!

Tried on 28 Feb 2025 at 05:34


7.9
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

Bottle@1420, Copenhagen - (2009 vintage) Pours black with a tan ringed head. Sweet and light roasted dark malty with some rich chocolate and some treacle and toffee notes, smooth mouthfeel and full body, some slight oxidation starting to set in, dark malty finish.

Tried from Bottle on 22 Sep 2018 at 16:22


9

Backlog

Tried on 01 Sep 2018 at 14:36


9

Backlog

Tried on 01 Sep 2018 at 14:36


9

Backlog

Tried on 01 Sep 2018 at 14:36


6.8
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Bottle at Mikeys Christmas party
Black with a small tan head, some lacing. Dark malts, rich chocolate and cacao
Good

Tried from Bottle on 09 Dec 2017 at 23:37


8.2
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 9

extremely rich all the wayaround. still, not off flavors whatsoever. and for beingso rich , still very easydrinking. this one is about 3 yearsold.

Tried on 10 May 2016 at 22:52


8
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Boise Imperial Stout Tasting. Not sure on the age of the bottle, a few years on it I think. Aromatic with chocolate and roast, light coffee. Bis flavors of sweet and earthy roast, chocolate and coffee. A solid effort in the style.

Tried from Bottle on 17 Apr 2016 at 11:21


7.8
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 8

Bottle shared in London - picked up in NYC a few years back. Pours oily black with a foamy brown head. The aroma is big on the dark chocolate, burnt grains, scorched earth. Hugely sweet flavor, with lots of dried dark fruits, sugary dark chocolate, more scorched earth bitterness, some grains. Full bodied, chewy, with fine carbonation. Warming finish with more rich chocolate, some ash, and dried dark fruits. Hefty and very enjoyable.

Tried from Bottle on 09 Aug 2015 at 15:17


7.9
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

15th April 2015 Craft Clerkenwell. Bruce’s UK Swan Song. Clear dark amber - brown beer, small pale tan head. Palate is airy and semi dry with mild fine carbonation. Sweetish dry dark malts. Mild dark chocolate and roast. Some spice before a light finish. Pretty easy drinking for it’s abv. 3.4.

8th August 2023
A bottle that is at least 9 years old and possibly as old as 11 years. Opaque black brown with a small tan head. Smooth and slightly viscous palate, decent fine carbonation. Smooth dark chocolate malts, some coffee and a touch of aged caramel malts, well integrated. The back end brings some bitterness and a nice juicy berry vibe. Smooth finish. Has aged remarkably well for me, the aging hasn't just changed it, it has improved it.

Tried from Bottle on 26 Apr 2015 at 10:48