From Inc · · 1m 40s
Goose Island Beer Wins 38-Year Award After Internal 'Shark Tank'
Goose Island Beer Co. won gold at the Great American Beer Festival after 38 years of internal innovation.
In brief
Goose Island Beer Co. won gold at the Great American Beer Festival after 38 years of internal innovation. Goose Island Beer Co. won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival for its 2025 Bourbon County Brand Proprietor’s Stout, created through an annual internal 'Shark Tank' process. Originally reported by Inc.
Goose Island Wins Beer Awards
Chicago’s Goose Island Beer Co. took home four medals from the Great American Beer Festival after 38 years in business.
Brewery of the Year Award
The brewery won Brewery of the Year in the 100,000+ barrels category and the only Illinois-based brewery to earn a gold medal.
Internal 'Shark Tank' Process
Employees pitch new beer flavors in a blind testing process similar to an internal 'Shark Tank' competition.
2025 Proprietor’s Stout Wins Gold
The 2025 Bourbon County Brand Proprietor’s Stout won gold at the Great American Beer Festival in the Dessert and Pastry Beer category.
Bourbon Barrel Aging Technique
Bourbon barrel-aging is a technique unique to Goose Island, developed by Greg Hall, son of founder John Hall, and dates back three decades.
Baklava-Inspired Stout
The 2025 stout was created with walnuts, pistachios, cassia bark, cinnamon, and honey inspired by Magratten’s aunt’s beehives.
Baklava Stout Wins World Beer Cup
The 2025 Baklava Stout also won gold at the World Beer Cup in the Wood and Barrel-Aged Dessert or Pastry Beer category.
Brewer’s Inspiration
Colby Magratten, a Goose Island brewer, created the Baklava Stout inspired by his aunt’s beehives and nutty baklava flavors.
Brewery President’s Comment
Todd Ahsmann, Goose Island Beer president, said winning awards after 38 years shows the brewery’s ability to stay relevant and evolve.
The big picture
Goose Island Beer Co. won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival for its 2025 Bourbon County Brand Proprietor’s Stout, created through an annual internal 'Shark Tank' process.
