I'm hoarding that treasure-trove my friend in CA sent me. Right after they came, I drank the bottle of Alaska Smoke Porter. I thought it was real, real good.

Last night, I tried a bottle of Goose Island Bourbon County Stout - that's the one my friend called "the pinnacle of the brewer's art". According to the label, they brewed a super-Stout, then aged it in bourbon barrels.

I love big beers, and at 13% alcohol this one will sure get your attention. Unlike my friend, though, I didn't think the taste was very pleasant.

In fact, I had to drink a bottle of Sam Adams Cream Stout right after, to get the strong oak-and-bourbon taste out of my mouth. G.I.B.C.S. is one I won't be looking for at Brown Derby.