Firestone Walker 10

Formerly brewed at Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Style: American Strong Ale
Paso Robles, California USA

The description of this beer intrigued me and I wasn’t disappointed. Who would have guessed that a blend of those styles would have produced such an elixir. Deep chestnut with a small tan head. The aroma had lots going on, with notes of roasted malt, molasses, hops, anise, dried fruit, brown sugar, coffee, chocolate. The more you sniffed, the more you found. Good body with a robust feel in the mouth. The flavor captured the elements of the aroma and, as with the aroma, each sip revealed something new and different. Nice way to celebrate a tenth anniversary.

22oz bottle, #400... Pours dark brown with light. Little to no head at all. Smells like wood and booze... Tastes like malt and wood. Some alcohol in there too. A touch oxidized... Very very good. Thick body with good bubbles. Coats the mouth a bit... Drink this beer right now. If not you will have over spent. Old is not better.

Poured a lightly hazy, brown color with a small, light tan head that left nice lacing on the glass. Aroma of vanilla, nuts, caramel malts, light fruit, and a bit of alcohol. Taste of caramel malts, nuts, molasses, roast, cocoa, tobacco, and a bit of alcohol in the finish. Thinner mouthfeel.

From a 22oz Bottle. Dark brown, mostly transparent, with edges of ruddy tinged copper and a thick finger of foamy, light tan head. Big vanilla oak nose with some mild woody spice. Rich chocolate nougat and toffee malt characters combine with a touch of alcohol to create a bourbony note. Medium bodied, well carbonated mouthfeel with a bit of a slick, creamy texture. Tons of vanilla oak flavors, along with some stringy, bark tannins. Caramel and woody mace husks. Chocolate malt flavors make up most of the malt profile, adding a depth of chewy fudge without any roast bitterness, allowing the malt to work really well with the creamy vanilla oak flavors. A mild hop bitterness lingers in the finish. Overall, a well constructed brew. The malt profile melds together superbly with the oak, and while it brings out an immense amount of flavors, the body remains relatively light but well textured. The alcohol heat gets a bit too prominent for my tastes but maintains a level of refinement comparable to a snifter of fine bourbon.

(22oz bottle) At hospitable Enniskillen’s RR Batch 001 Party. Dissipated almond head with an opaque body. Great nose of roasted malt, soya sauce, prune. Flavour is mildly hoppy, chocolate, fig . Tongue burn but well blended. Thanks Chris for sharing!

Bottle@Dr.Bills Poured brown with nice ring head. What can I say. It’s got everything....sweet, sour, bourbon, citrus...all rolled up into a single great beer.

About as dark as could be without being pitch black. Dark luminous brown with hints of blood ruby. Pours with about an inch of light tan head, with minimal retention. Sit back and soak this one in for a few minutes and allow the aromas to swim up in waves. Starts off with bittersweet cocoa powder and builds into an earthy dry oak aroma. As the oak crests, its Bourbon aspects become more prevalent with sweet vanilla and alcohol heat. The flavor brings together the aroma aspects even more. Sweet chocolate and Bourbon predominate. The alcohol is not shy and does provide a spicy heat throughout. The oak is present throughout, lending a dry acidic bit hint of tannin. The finish is dry with the oak and roasted grain/hop bitterness. Slick, with minimal carbonation. Alcohol is present throughout which adds a bite. A sublimely good sipper. The alcohol isnt shy, but the complex flavors demand you take your time with this. Ill probably savor this one over 90 minutes or so. Wish I had more to age.

Bomber poured a clear dark brown nearly black with garnet highlights and a small lingering tan head. Aromas of oak, bourbon, brandy, cherry, tobacco and leather. Palate was medium to full bodied and smooth. Flavors of bourbon, brandy, tobacco, leather, light cherry, light oak and hints of pepper with a smooth warming lingering bittersweet finish. Hides it’s alcohol well.
An absoulutly amazing beer! I wished I had picked up more when it was available.