**Note – I’m posting this a little late so some of the dates don’t totally line up with the date posted, but you get the idea.
This year, Goose Island Prop Day was a rollercoaster. My wife and I, along with several friends, entered the lottery for tickets every day during the entry window and, as in all past years, we didn’t get a “Congratulations!” email. Oh well, I’ve never attended before. I can handle the disappointment. Plus, I’ll still be continuing the yearly tradition of heading to a bar on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving for a pre-release party. An event at which I tell myself every year I’ll try only a couple or I’ll share the pours, only to try every varietal available.
That was my mindset up until this past Friday (11/15). My buddy (and hero) showed me an email that started “Hello Prop Day winner!” What? The winning emails had gone out long ago and none of us won! Well, after searching back through emails turns out he had won back when lottery took place but totally missed it! Unfortunately, the 48 hour window to buy tickets had passed, though. But sometimes even though you know it’s a lost cause, you try to buy the tickets anyway. And guess what? It worked! The system let him buy tickets with me as the guest! We don’t know why it worked, but you don’t see me complaining.
Fast forward (two whole days) and there we were walking into Prop Day! We were group C, so we arrived around 12:30pm, which ended up being perfect – we were able to walk straight to the front of the line since group C was just finishing entering. As we walked in we were each presented with a glass of 2019 Bourbon County regular and a small manila folder containing our lanyard and drink tokens. The regular was, as usual, a fantastic stout. I can no longer taste much difference in the standard year over year and that’s a good thing. Goose Island makes one of the best bourbon barrel aged beers and they’ve learned how to make it consistently.
After walking a bit to get the lay of the land, we heard an announcement that group C could now line up for bottle purchase. It was an hour earlier than scheduled, but who am I to argue? After a short wait in line, we were presented with two options.
Option 1:
- 2 Bourbon County Proprietor’s Stout
- 1 Bourbon County Cafe de Olla
Option 2:
- 2 Bourbon County Proprietor’s Stout
- 1 Bourbon County Cafe de Olla
- 1 Bourbon County Double Barrel
I’m not going to turn down extra BCBS, especially the Double Barrel, so I went with Option 2. Whenever I get around to drinking the Double Barrel I’ll post a review, but I get a feeling it will be aging for at least a bit.
From the reviews I’d read, Cafe de Olla was top tier, so that was the first varietal we sought out. The line was long (I should have gotten a picture, but it was cold out and I only wanted to take my gloves off so many times), but it was 100% worth it. It gave great notes of spice and coffee – the flavors were subtle but present. It was different than last years varietals in the that way – last year the adjuncts were more of the main flavor whereas this year they seemed to compliment the beer without overpowering the BCBS backbone.
After sipping on the Cafe de Olla and wandering a bit more, we decided it was time for another pour. We made our way to the warehouse across the street from the grain silos and got the 2 year Rye Reserve. The environment was very cool – the bar was made out of a decked out old L train car. The beer was also very good – it tasted similar to the original but was “much more” (don’t judge my cold, buzzed tasting notes). It was delicious, but also very sweet. The 3oz pour was delicious but it was enough.
Next we made our way to the line for Mon Chéri – again, this was a very good variety.This becomes a theme, but the cherry flavor was the perfect intensity. It again was present but not overpowering. We drank a few (literally three) of these while hanging around a fire made with barrel staves and talking to other patrons of the fest.
Now it was time for Proprietors Stout – the main show. Honestly, this line was shorter than expected, which had me a little worried at first. My worry was completely unfounded – this was GOOD. It was on the sweeter side (but honestly they all are – it’s a BCBS) but the flavors melded so well together. Subtle coconut up front, with chocolate, toasted pecan and vanilla flavors rounding it out. I don’t want to oversell it, but this is a special beer. It’s one of those where every time I get the chance to buy or drink it, it’s happening.
After all of that, it was time to head home. I was cold, I was buzzed, and I’d had the opportunity to drink some truly fantastic beers. The best way I can describe the fest is what I texted to my wife while there – “this is my happy place.” I hope I get the chance to go again next year!
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