Dining Out: Bourbon County Stout lineup, an evening of bourbon in Naperville and some non-bourbon stuff, too
Here’s your lineup
The much anticipated moment for beer lovers has arrived with the release of Goose Island’s Bourbon County Brand Stout Family lineup.
This year’s roster starts with the Original Stout — Goose Island was the originator of bourbon-barrel aged stout in 1992 — and includes variants Cherries Jubilee Stout, finished in cognac casks; Chocolate Praline Stout, aged in freshly emptied, single-use bourbon barrels; Proprietor’s Stout, a baklava-inspired brew.
The big bourbon hitters this year are the Double Barrel Stout, which is run through two sets of Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond barrels, and the Reserve Stout, aged in 17th edition Parker’s Heritage 10-year-old rye whiskey barrels.
The Original Stout will be available this year in four-packs of 10-ounce bottles and all the stouts will go on sale on Black Friday, Nov. 28.
Speaking of bourbon
CityGate Grille in Naperville is lighting up the night with robust bourbons, smoked cocktails and savory bites during their outdoor “Beyond the Barrel” event Wednesday, July 30.
Specialty cocktails featuring Maker’s Mark will be offered along with Goose Island barrel-aged stouts and The Federalist Cabernet Sauvignon for non-bourbon imbibers.
Passed appetizers include bacon-wrapped scallops, filet sliders, peach and honey mascarpone bruschetta, Jamón Ibérico Manchego and pear skewers, and prosciutto-wrapped mozzarella.
Each guest also will be entered to win a Beyond the Barrel signature set, which includes ingredients to make old fashioned cocktails at home, featuring Eagle Rare Bourbon, two CityGate Grille rocks glasses, premium bitters, candied orange peels and sugar cubes.
The event goes from 5 to 7 p.m. and is $60 per guest. Visit CityGateGrille.com for reservations
Miracle Treat Day
Ice cream lovers can team up with Dairy Queen on Thursday, July 31, to support Lurie’s Children’s Hospital.
On “Miracle Treat Day,” $1 or more will be donated to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals for every Blizzard sold. The annual day of giving has raised $185 million for children’s hospitals during the more than 41-year partnership.
Winner, winner, chicken finger
Raising Cane’s is giving you the finger, but in a good way. For National Chicken Finger Day on Sunday, July 27, all customers who purchase a Box Combo will get a free chicken finger added.
There’s no coupon or code or membership rewards needed, and the offer is for in-restaurant, drive-through, mobile app and online orders. (FYI, you likely won’t find any other National Chicken Finger Day offers since it was invented by Cane’s founder in 2010 and trademarked in 2019.)
That’s a wrap
On the heels of a famous fast food chain bringing back a fan-favorite chicken wrap sandwich (can’t remember what it’s called), Fry the Coop is introducing the SMACK Wrap.
Like the other wrap, Fry the Coop is offering two flavors — the spicy Nashville SMACK Wrap and the “Ranchy SMACK Wrap.” Both come wrapped in a flour tortilla and can be made with any heat level, from Country through Lil' Insanity.
They’re $4.99 and available at all Fry the Coop restaurants.