Tag: Firestone Walker Anniversary

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My Favorite Things

When stores put up Halloween items in July and Christmas sprouts up in October, you need to find a better marker for the end of year holiday season.  Mine is the release of the Firestone Walker Anniversary blend.  

This year the winning blend was done by the trio of Valia From and Emily Miller – Desparada Wines, Russell From – Herman Story Wines and Danny “Fullpint” Becker – Editor-in-Chief, of The Full Pint.  And it has some fun additions to it.

Here is the final blend:
Parabola – Russian Imperial Stout – Aged in Bourbon Barrels (32%)
Velvet Merkin – Milk Stout – Aged in Bourbon Barrels (32%)
Bravo – Imperial Brown Ale – Aged in Bourbon Barrels (24%)
Heavy Things – Barley Wine Made in Collaboration with The Bruery – Aged in Brandy Barrels (6%)
Helldorado – Blonde Barley Wine – Aged in Bourbon Barrels (4%)
Wheat Wine -Strong Golden Barley Wine Co-Fermented with White Wine Grape Juice – Aged in Bourbon Barrels (2%)

I always buy one to age and one to drink now.  It is pretty much the only beer I age now, it is that good.

And of course, as per BSP tradition, I will review 26 next to the blend from five years ago.

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Review – XX Anniversary from Firestone Walker

I keep a rolling five years of the Firestone Walker Anniversary Vintages and this year marks the last of the 22oz bombers.

As a reminder, this anniversary blend was devised by Scott Hawley from the Paso Robles winery, Torrin. It is 40% Parabola aged in Bourbon barrels and new oak, 20% Stickee Monkee aged in Bourbon and Brandy barrels, 17.5% Velvet Merkin, 12.5% Bravo and 10% Helldorado, all Bourbon barrel aged.

It pours a dark brown with a bit of a reddish tint. As you would expect, Bourbon is on the nose. It is still a touch hot in the initial sips as well even after five years in the box. It is sweet as well with a fruit note that I can’t quite catch (maybe cherry). There is a bit of dark but not roasted malt character as this tastes like an amplified brown ale.

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FW 24

Last night, Firestone Walker went on YouTube to discuss their 2020 anniversary blend and here are the tidbits that I learned….

  • The first barrel-aged beer that FW did was Ruby a TIPA / barleywine
  • The cardboard crown for the winning winemaker was referred to as the Stanley Cup of Paso Robles
  • The winning blend used the max amount of Merkin it could
  • Campfire and S’mores was the best beer descriptor that I heard
  • Out of left field pairing idea, spicy teriyaki and blue cheese
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In the Tap Lines for December 2018

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Now we can focus on the best holiday of the calendar year and all of the fun winter seasonals that will start to burrow onto shelves and into coolers of your favorite beer shops. I wish you a fabulous Christmas season! Now onto what is happening this month in addition to the holiday beer a day…

~ e-visits to three breweries featured in the Sip NW magazine “Best of” for 2018. Bron Yr Aur Brewing, Jellyfish Brewing and Old Stove Brewing.
~ special featured reviews of the Firestone Walker Anniversary both past and present
~ Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark
~ A Book & A Beer reads The Library Book by Susan Orlean
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world.

Here are two events to get your December started in the Los Angeles craft beer world:
1) December 8th – Brewyard Beer’s 3rd Anniversary
2) December 10th – Drink Beer, Think Beer panel at The Last Bookstore