The Chicago-based producer of America’s pre-eminent barrel-aged stout is about to take a big step into the world of digital currency:
I suppose it was inevitable that someone would do this: Goose Island announced today that they’re releasing a series of NFTs (aka non-fungible tokens for those of you who don’t live online) all related to their line of Bourbon County Brand Stout beers.
This is to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the creation of BCBS, a date that to most remains in question (as evidenced by their removal of that date from their labels a few years ago) but Goose is clearly fully recommitted to its 1992 birthday.
At 3 pm on May 13th, Goose will put 2,022 NFTs on sale for $499 apiece through their website. The sale will generate over $1M and an unspecified portion of the proceeds will benefit Erie Neighborhood House, per the release. This will put Goose on the map as the first major brewery to release its own line of NFTs.
The first tier of tokens are the 1,992 “Select” NFTs which relate to “chapters” of BCBS history. There are also 29 “Reserve” NFTs and a single 24K Gold NFT. Each purchaser will receive one NFT at random from the available tokens.
Purchasers don’t just receive the token; some swag goes along with it. Purchasers of the “Chapter” NFT will receive a “Throwback Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Tap handle from the Goose Island vault, autographed by Goose Island Founder and Bourbon County Stout mastermind Greg Hall” plus a barrel stave and a limited-edition snifter. Collect all eight “Chapters” and you’ll unlock a special “Rare” chapter NFT.
“Reserve” owners get the Select level perks plus a “guaranteed opportunity to purchase a 2022 Prop Day ticket ($30) and the ability to purchase a Prop Day allocation (2 bottles of Prop, 2 bottles of exclusive variants, and commemorative glass) ($130 value)” and a special Barrel House experience. The 24K Gold owner also gets the Prop allocation outright plus a special BCBS Vintage Tasting with a Goose brewer.
This isn’t the first time the craft beer and NFT worlds have crossed paths—see these stories about the Denver Beer Co. “Beer for Life” NFT and the tokens created in partnership with Vietnamese craft beer maker 7 Bridges Brewing Company—but it’s definitely the largest.
As of right now, we know more about these NFTs than we do about this year’s actual BCBS beers. We’re seeing labels start to come through the TTB and a full announcement is usually made around August. Stick with us for more barrel-aged beer news of all kinds, sign up for our weekly email about all things beer and see the full Goose Island release below for all the details.
PRESS RELEASE FOLLOWS:
GOOSE ISLAND BEER CO. RELEASES BARREL HOUSE COLLECTION OF NFTS – A TRIBUTE TO LOYAL COMMUNITY AND ICONIC BARREL BREWING PROCESS
We’ve always taken a step into the unknown—a path un-lit by anyone before. Had we listened to the detractors, we would have never put beer into a bourbon barrel. We would have never submitted that new combination to the world’s most prestigious beer competition. And get rejected. In those early days, it was an undrinkable experiment for most. For a select few, it was a lifelong bond that led to countless conversations and forged friendships. Today, Bourbon County Stout is not only a local Chicago favorite, but globally known for setting the standard of barrel-aged stouts with continued innovation and a growing, passionate community.
Here we are again at the edge of something in the making. Something new. Before you are three possibilities. All of which lead to incredible experiences and items found nowhere else—and more importantly, a new community of like-minded pioneers. Build your collection, cellar as you please, or revel in the fact that you are one of the first to join us at the bar on this new endeavor.
The Barrel House Collection is Goose Island’s first-ever NFT collection, made up of 2,022 NFTs commemorating Bourbon County Stout’s 30th Anniversary and its entry into web3 with three tiers of BHC NFTs, all $499 (+ tax) and randomly generated:
- Select (1,992 BHC NFTs): Our first tier of 1,992 Barrel House Collection NFTs is commemorative of the year Bourbon County Stout was created, 1992. These NFTs depict the eight “chapters” of our story illustrating the complex history of Bourbon County Stout and unlock special access to Bourbon County Stout offerings and collectibles.
- The (8) Chapters Include: History, White Oak, Coopering, Brewing, Distilling, Bourbon, Aging, Variants
- **Rare (unlocked when all 8 chapters are collected): When all eight chapters are cellared together by Black Friday 2022, your smart contract will produce the ninth special edition BHC NFT (Bourbon County Rare) to complete the story.
- The (8) Chapters Include: History, White Oak, Coopering, Brewing, Distilling, Bourbon, Aging, Variants
- Reserve (29 BHC NFTs): Our second tier of 29 Barrel House Collection NFTs celebrates Bourbon County Stout’s 30th anniversary. Just like our Bourbon County Stout Reserve collection of beers this tier of BHC NFTs is even more rare and unlocks everything from the “Select” tier along with even more access to Bourbon County Stout offerings.
- 24K Gold Edition (1 BHC NFT): Our third and rarest Barrel House Collection NFT will have one owner. This (1) BHC NFT is the rarest of them all and unlocks everything from the “Select” and “Reserve” tiers along with exclusive access to Bourbon County Stout offerings and collectables.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit Erie Neighborhood House, a social services nonprofit that provides support, programming and resources for immigrant and low-income families in Chicago.
“Innovation’s always been part of our DNA. We wouldn’t be celebrating 30 years of Bourbon County Stout if our brewers hadn’t tried something different, and we strive to bring something new and exciting each BCS season,” said Todd Ahsmann, President, Goose Island. “This Barrel House NFT collection is certainly new for us, and it’s such a cool way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of our first batch of Bourbon County Stout. Now our BCS community – and NFT fans – can collect some digital keepsakes to go with the prestigious beers.”
GOOSE ISLAND BARREL HOUSE COLLECTION (BHC) NFT LEVELS AND DETAILS
Price for all BHC NFTs: $499
SELECT (1,992 BHC NFTs)
- To the employees of Goose Island, Bourbon County Stout has always been more than liquid in a bottle so we released a documentary back in 2015 to share the rich history of how Bourbon County Stout came to be and its evolution. We continue to bring our Bourbon County Stout story to life in new ways which is why we are releasing our “chapters” as NFTs. Learn more about these chapters and the history on GooseIsland.com.
- Eight BHC NFTs that illustrate the complex story of Bourbon County Stout. Each individual chapter is as important as the next. When all eight are cellared together, your smart contract will produce the ninth special edition BHC NFT (Bourbon County Rare).
Chapters include:
- 1: History
- 2: Bourbon
- 3: White Oak
- 4: Distilling
- 5: Coopering
- 6: Brewing
- 7: Aging
- 8: Variants
- 9: Rare – Collect all previous 8 by Black Friday 2022, we will airdrop you a 9th “Bourbon County Rare” NFT to complete the story
Unlocked Access
- Exclusive NFT-Holder Merch Access:
- Throwback Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Tap handle from the Goose Island vault, autographed by Goose Island Founder and Bourbon County Stout mastermind Greg Hall
- Barrel stave that was once used to age BCS
- NFT-owner only limited edition snifter
RESERVE (29 BHC NFTs)
- Just like our Bourbon County Stout Reserve collection of beers our second tier of 29 Barrel House Collection NFTs is even more rare and unlocks everything from the “Select” tier along with even more access to Bourbon County Stout offerings.
Unlocked Access
- Everything from Select
- Ability to bypass the lottery and have guaranteed opportunity to purchase a 2022 Prop Day ticket ($30) and the ability to purchase a Prop Day allocation (2 bottles of Prop, 2 bottles of exclusive variants, and commemorative glass) ($130 value)
- Branded digital frame to display NFT
- Custom barrel head, once used in the aging of BCS
- Special VIP experience at the Goose Island Barrel House, including attending the unlocking of the BCS “vault” for a tasting of rare vintage years and a dinner for the NFT holder + guest (travel not included)
24K GOLD EDITION (1 BHC NFT)
- Our third and rarest Barrel House Collection NFT will have one owner. This (1) NFT is the rarest of them all and unlocks everything from the “Select” and “Reserve” tiers along with exclusive access to Bourbon County Stout offerings and collectables. One Reserve BHC NFT owner will be randomly selected to receive this 1/1 Gold BHC NFT.
Unlocked Access
- Everything from Select and Reserve
- 2022 Prop Day ticket included ($30 value) and Prop Day allocation also included ($130 value)
- VIP barrel display shelf with 2022 BCS bottle
- 1:1 Bourbon County vintage tasting with a Goose Island brewer (travel not included)