Even though Black Friday doesn’t mean what it once did, Bourbon County is still an event - and we have Ryan Tracy with us at Beer on the Wall to help us taste through this year’s lineup of six from Goose Island. Sure we were banned from the official media tasting, but we assess the whole group fairly - and find some surprises that are real standouts in the history of BCBS. Also, shenanigans may be afoot at FoBAB in regards to our Fantasy League; Ryan T. and Craig have a proposed wardrobe swap; we discuss BCBS variants that “don’t exist”; Tracy shares a Rare Day story that can only lead to bias; we can’t help but fondle the box; and we are finally sponsored by Jazz, the style of music. And don’t miss out on our annual trip through Bourbon Country.

Beers Reviewed

Bourbon County Stout 2024 (Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels)

Bourbon County Brand Bardstown Cask Finish Stout (Imperial Stout aged in Bardstown Rye and Cherry Wood Oak Barrels)

Bourbon County Brand Rare Stout 2024 (Imperial Rye Stout aged in King of Kentucky Bourbon Barrels)

Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Rye Stout 2024 (Imperial Rye Stout aged in Rye Whiskey Barrels w/ Madagascar vanilla beans)

Bourbon County Brand Macaroon Stout (Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels w/ cocoa nibs, sweet candied ginger, and toasted coconut)

Bourbon County Brand Proprietor’s Barleywine (Barleywine aged in Bourbon Barrels w/ tamarind, lime, whole Guajillo chiles, and piloncillo)

It’s been 8 years since we last did a whole lineup of ciders, and this was just the re-evaluation we needed to fall back in love with these well-crafted non-beer drinks. But it’s not just apples this time: each cider brings something else to the mix - to consistently surprising results. Also, Craig has created a glitter problem he can’t solve, Ryan learns of a surprising cidery connection to the beer world, and we’re both forced to put on the oversized blazer before being let inside. 

Ciders Reviewed

The Northman - Hopped Cider

Stem Ciders - Apricot Haze

Eris Brewery & Cider House - Strawbarbarella

Wölffer Estate Vineyard - No. 139 Peach Cider

Obscurity Brewing and Craft Mead - Pumpkin Hard Cider

Not content with waiting for one single day to stuff ourselves with our favorite traditional foods, we just had to drink our way through a feast of Thanksgiving-adjacent beers to get us hyped for what might be our favorite holiday. We see how many of this lineup of five Illinois beers would make a nice addition to the table while also playing a full game of Personal Preference: Thanksgiving Foods. Plus, Ryan tries to make sense of a possibly inappropriate teacher costume, Craig takes a hardline stance against mixing foods, and we both have a few sides we like better than turkey. Loosen that belt and bring on the post-show couch nap.

Beers Reviewed

Werk Force Brewing Company - Soup Season (Hazy IPA w/ Simcoe, Superdelic, and Citra)

Bent River Brewing Company - Sweet Potato Ale (Wheat ale w/ sweet potato & spices)

Midwest Coast Brewing Co. - Friendsgiving (Strong ale w/ cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and orange peel)

Energy City Brewing - Bistro: Apple & Cranberry Crumble (Berliner Weisse w/ apples, cranberry, brown sugar, and cinnamon)

Maplewood Brewing Company - Lil’ Pumpkin Cakes (Blonde ale w/ pumpkin spices)

As this year’s Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beers approaches, we dive deep into FoBAB topics while drinking through four barrel-aged beers from breweries featured at this year’s fest. Our jumbled attempts to look back at previous year’s memories notwithstanding, we look ahead to new and returning breweries we can’t wait to try, old favorites and dependable options to seek out for a first pour, our general tips for navigating FoBAB, and a little mock Fantasy FoBAB draft to round things out. Plus, Craig encounters a real life Air Bud, our time machine is broken, and we wonder why we only hit like five breweries every year.

Beers Reviewed

Off Color Brewing - Whiskey Barrel-Aged Beer for Pizza [2022] (Malt beverage w/ dark candi syrup, kola nut, lime juice, vanilla, lemon zest, orange zest, cinnamon, coriander, nutmeg, and citric acid aged in Tennessee whiskey barrels)

More Brewing - Barrel-Aged Doppelbock (Doppelbock aged in Elijah Craig bourbon and Old Elk barrels)

Mikerphone Brewing - I Believe In A Thing Called Lager (Imperial dark lager aged 21 months in Peerless Straight Rye Whiskey barrels)

WeldWerks Brewing & Toppling Goliath Brewing - Asesino De Medianoche (Imperial stout aged in Templeton Rye and Blanton’s barrels w/ Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans)

The warmest thing about the colder months is that we have three different Deep Wood releases to look forward to, and we start the season with four stouts - three as variants of their annual Deth’s Tar line. We talk about what makes this year’s lineup unique while Revolution supports its case as one of the most dependable barrel-aged programs anywhere. Also, Craig waited in a line only to learn about bad dog names; Ryan has basically forgotten the last two years of beer releases; and we get a little carried away with the tactile experience.

Beers Reviewed

Deth’s Tar (Imperial oatmeal stout aged in bourbon barrels)

Café Deth (Imperial oatmeal stout aged in bourbon barrels w/ coffee)

Deth by Bramble (Imperial oatmeal stout aged in bourbon barrels w/ blackberry, boysenberry, and marionberry)

V.S.O. On & On Pt. 3 (Blended stout aged in bourbon barrels)