# 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.
- Title: Goose Island Beer Wins 38-Year Award After Internal 'Shark…
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: goose island beer, great american beer festival, 2025 bourbon county brand proprietor's s, internal shark tank, brewery, chicago, beer festival, brewery awards, beer innovation, chicago brewery, Goose, Island
- Source: Inc — https://inc.com/rachel-yoon/goose-island-beer-awards-internal-shark-tank-innovation/91420686
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: goose island beer, great american beer festival, 2025 bourbon county brand proprietor's s, internal shark tank, brewery, chicago, beer festival, brewery awards, beer innovation, chicago brewery
## 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.
## Key takeaway

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.