Bourbon-barreled birthday beer

I’m not one of those people that gives a big flippy crap about being treated special on my birthday. I don’t demand that day off of work. I don’t need much in the way of a present. The best gift I ever got was my firstborn twelve years ago. Tough to top that one.

Jake and I celebrated our 48th birthday yesterday.

I’m not too demanding, but I recognize an excuse for a Tasty Libation when I see one. This year’s beery birthday toast to my mom, who did all the real work so many years ago, was Goose Island’s Bourbon County Stout.

Holy Crap, this is a good beer.

First, you take a delicious Russian Imperial stout:

big, lovable body, roasty, chocolaty, coffee-toned bitterness, warmth

Then you toss it in a bourbon barrel:

oaky, vanilla, bourbon

Good, good stuff. All well-melded. That chocolate was divine. Just a great nightcap. And worthy of special day. Or any other day.