Goodwood Brewing's 'Bourbon Barrel Stout' brings Kentucky charm to St. Louis

Goodwood Brewing + Spirits, a Kentucky-based brewery known for its expertise in barrel-aged beers, is expanding its reach into St. Louis with a bold and flavorful offering: Bourbon Barrel Stout.

As they continue their venture westward, Goodwood has found a new home in O’Fallon, Missouri, and is reintroducing itself to St. Louis beer lovers. With their signature Bourbon Barrel Stout now available at local restaurants, liquor stores and grocery stores, it’s the perfect time to revisit what makes this brewery special.

Goodwood Brewing is honoring Kentucky

The inspiration behind the Bourbon Barrel Stout is rooted in Kentucky’s rich distilling heritage. Olivia Wimsatt, vice president of marketing at Goodwood, shared that the stout pays homage to their home state through one key ingredient—bourbon.

“We wanted to find a way to pay homage to our home state of Kentucky, and the answer was bourbon, of course,” Wimsatt said. “We barrel-aged this beer in bourbon barrels to blend the two things we know and love best.”

Barrel aging: a Goodwood Brewing tradition

Goodwood has been a pioneer in barrel aging long before the trend caught on in the craft beer community. The Bourbon Barrel Stout, aged for three months in freshly dumped bourbon barrels, is a testament to the brewery’s expertise.

After two weeks of brewing, the stout is transferred into bourbon barrels and aged in Goodwood’s temperature-controlled basement. The extended aging process imparts rich notes of vanilla, oak, and a hint of spice from the hops.

The tasting experience

Sitting around a campfire on a crisp fall night? Goodwood’s Bourbon Barrel Stout is the ideal companion. This stout strikes a perfect balance—bold but not too syrupy, with a warm kick from the bourbon that lingers on the palate.

Aroma: Oak and earthy spices with a hint of bread, courtesy of the hops’ humulene terpene oil.
Flavor: Campfire smoke blends with nuanced baking spices—vanilla, cinnamon and clove—creating a bourbon-soaked flavor profile.
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with a smooth finish and a slight bourbon warmth.

“It’s a great nod to Kentucky culture as well… even when we’re drinking beer, we want bourbon,” Wimsatt added.

A label that speaks

The can’s design is a nod to Goodwood’s bourbon barrel roots. Created in collaboration with a local agency, the artwork reflects the dark, rich essence of the stout while paying subtle homage to Kentucky’s distilleries and brewery rackhouses.

“We loved it at first sight,” Wimsatt said. “It accurately depicts the darkness of the stout while incorporating the feel of a distillery rackhouse and the brewery simultaneously.”

Where to find it Goodwood Brewing beer

Goodwood’s Bourbon Barrel Stout is now available in St. Louis. Whether you’re picking up a four-pack at your local grocery store or enjoying it on tap at a favorite restaurant, this is a beer that brings the bold flavors of Kentucky to your glass.

Tasting notes:

Yeast: Harvested from other ales in production, adding a unique flavor to each batch.
Hops: Bravo hops contribute a balance of bitterness and spice.
Malts: Barley and a mix of crystal malts round out the rich, dark body.
Other ingredients: Freshly dumped bourbon barrels bring all the magic.

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