Goose Island Bids Demolition Farewell, Welcomes King Henry This Winter

Sometimes, you take the good with the bad.

In a press release last week, Goose Island announced the demolition of, well... Demolition.

According to Goose Island VP Sales, Robert Kenney, the brewery is removing a beer from its portfolio.

I regret to inform you that Goose Island Beer Company has halted future production of Demolition, which was available in 22 oz bottles (4IE22’s). While we are still very proud of the beer and stand behind the product in the market, effective immediately, we will no longer make it available to our distributor network.

The 7.2% Belgian Style Golden Ale hasn't been terribly difficult to find on most bottle shop shelves. I know you can currently score some at most, if not all, of the City Wide and Belmont locations in the South Bend area. However, you may not want to delay in picking some up before their supplies are exhausted and it's gone for good!


In other Goose Island news, King Henry, previously only available on draft, is finally slated for release this December in 22oz bombers.

Brewer's Notes: Aged in bourbon barrels, King Henry is a burgundy hued English-style barleywine with aromas of vanilla, oak, and dark fruit. Caramel and toffee flavors blend together with bold notes of bourbon delivered in a smooth body followed by a malty finish. No matter the occasion, King Henry promises a regal drinking experience.

Rumor has it that Goose Island was concocting the King as far back as 2008, but it never saw the light of day for most. Other brands rising to popularity, problems with the recipe, or simply a brewer's decision is just some speculation I found as to why.

Still too early to know if we'll see much here in town. If availability of the other members in Goose Island's "Extreme Ale" series (Night Stalker, Big John, and the various Bourbon County Stouts) is any indication, it will be scare, if at all.

Speaking of Bourbon County Stout, a fun fact: King Henry, a 13.4% or 11.5% barleywine - depending on if you believe the Goose Island website, or the approved King Henry label - is evidently aged in barrels previously used for Bourbon County Stout.

Goose Island Brewmaster Brett Porter has some additional information in this video introducing King Henry on their YouTube channel: