United States
Goose Island
Chicago brewery whose Bourbon County Stout established barrel-ageing as a category in American brewing.
Why it matters
Bourbon County Stout is generally identified as the beer that started commercial bourbon-barrel ageing, now a worldwide practice.
Details
| Founded | 1988 |
|---|---|
| Where | United States |
| Status | Operating |
| Ownership | Acquired by AB InBev in 2011, a transaction widely treated as a turning point in arguments about what "craft" means. Recorded 2026-08-16; ownership changes without announcement. |
Reference beers
BeerHQ carries only the products that anchor something. This is not the brewery’s full range.
Styles it is associated with
- Imperial stout — The strongest stout: dense, viscous and intensely roasted, with dark fruit, chocolate and substantial alcohol warmth.
Traditions
- American craft brewing — The post-1980 American movement built on intense hop character, reinterpretation of European styles, and rapid categorical change.
Other breweries in United States
Allagash Brewing Company · Anchor Brewing · Anheuser-Busch · Athletic Brewing Company · Bell's Brewery · Brooklyn Brewery · D. G. Yuengling & Son · Deschutes Brewery
Last reviewed 2026-08-16.