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Firestone Walker 12 4.02 184

Firestone Walker 12

 (RETIRED)
Percentile
100
overall

bottled
common

on tap
unknown

Regional Distribution
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RatingsAverageScoreSeasonalABVStyle PctlServe in
1844.06/5.04.02/5.0Special12%98.4Snifter, Trappist glass
Commercial Description:
The Barrels The individual lots were aged in oak barrels, most of which were hand selected from premium Kentucky spirits producers by Tom Griffin, who is extremely passionate and knowledgeable about bourbon barrels and beer. Each barrel lends its own unique influence to the final blend. Tom continues to hand deliver some real treats to us, including some 20+ year old Rip Van Winkle Barrels! Barrels freshly dumped from the distilleries and hand delivered by Tom Griffin: Rip Van Winkle Bourbon Old Fitzgerald Bourbon / Old Fitzgerald Wheat Whiskey Heaven Hill Bourbon / Heaven Hill Brandy / Heaven Hill Rye Barrels purchased directly from American Coopers toasted to Firestone Walker’s specifications: New American Oak produced by World Cooperage / medium and medium plus toast Retired Firestone Union Oak produced by World Cooperage, and Barrel Associates (water bent staves) The Aging Cellar – The Components Following are descriptions of key components with their original code names: Final Blend % Parabola ྭ% ABV) - Aged in New American oak, bourbon and rye barrels ࿌%) -Russian Imperial Oatmeal Stout (brewed02-09-06 and 01-18-08) OG=28P FG=7.5P IBU=80 Color=Black / Hopped with Simcoe, Bravo, Styrian Golding and East Kent Golding Opal ྫ% ABV) – Aged in rye barrels ྼ%) -Wheat Wine (brewed 2-25-08) OG=22.4P FG=6.2P IBU=45 Color=17 / Brewed with torrified and malted wheat, lightly hopped with Saaz Rufus ྫ% ABV) – Aged in rye and bourbon barrels ྲ%) -Continental Imperial Amber Ale (brewed 8-17-07) OG=22.5 FG=4.5 IBU=40 Color=15 / Brewed with Belgian Dark Candi Syrup / Hopped with Styrian Goldings and Saaz Saucerful of Secrets ƙ% ABV) – Aged in Brandy Barrels ƙ%) -Belgian Strong Ale (brewed 10-30-07) OG=23.4 FG=6.1 IBU 25 Color=39 / Brewed with Belgian Dark Candi sugar and everything else but the kitchen sink Union Jack IPA Ɨ% ABV) - Aged in stainless steel Ƒ%) -American Style IPA (brewed 10-28-08) OG=17 FG=3.5 IBU=75 Color=12 / Brewed with massive amounts of hops and a very kind attitude The Finished Piece- As a finished beer, XII is in some ways more aggressive than any previous blend, but it maintains a great deal of depth and complexity. Everyone seems to get something different when they taste this beer- mocha, tobacco, toasted almonds, olallieberries... I leave the interpretation to you. It is best enjoyed in a half filled brandy snifter or wine glass. Allow it to warm to 55F to fully enjoy the pleasing and complex aromas. If left in a cool dark place, I suspect that this beer will age well. Only time will tell. If you find something you like- please contact us and let us know your thoughts. I truly hope you enjoy our third oak-aged blend. This crazy beer journey continues!
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
 awaisanen (1279), Irvine, California, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/103/515/20
Jan 6, 2009  
From a 22oz Bottle. Dark brown, mostly transparent pour with a thin layer of tight bubbled tan foam. Aromas of unsweetened chocolate and spicy, stringy oak. Noticeable alcohol in the nose as well, contributing a little harshness. Mild vanilla and an underlying, earthy roast. Medium full bodied, lightly carbonated mouthfeel with a somewhat sweet, sticky texture. Flavors of chocolate syrup and coffee up front on the palate, along with a meaty, soy-like teriyaki character. Alcohol gets a little bit brash in the backend. Most of the oak comes out mid-palate, but has more of a harsh, Wild Turkey-esque bourbon character too it rather than a rich vanilla undertone. Sweet charred prune and tobacco. The depth of the chocolate flavor is awesome. Intense flavors, but too rich and boozey for my tastes.


 dalekliz (546), San Diego, California, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/517/20
Jan 4, 2009  
Bottle sampled at WeeHeavySDs 2000th rating party, thanks Jon! Pours a deep dark reddish-brown with an off-white ring. Aroma is sharp and sweet, with malt, pine, herbs, and dark fruits. Rich sweet taste, of malt, bourbon, caramel, chocolate, dark fruits, and a hint of an alcohol bite. Lingering sharp and sweet bourbon. Intense and very tasty.


 bdigital (590), Ft Wayne, Indiana, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/103/57/104/517/20
Jan 3, 2009  
Thanks to cmr1517 for sharing this gem. Pours s dark muddy brown with a wispy tan head. Nose is dominated by brown sugar, coconut milk, vanilla bean, bourbon and some vinous oak notes. Medium body...very silky. A bit hot at this point, though it doesn’t detract that much from the overall sense that I get from it...which is that it’s amazing. Lots of barrel notes along with roasted malts, vanilla, bourbon and again some coconut milk lingering. Very nice brew.


 toncatcher (228), Santee - SAN DIEGO, California, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/517/20
Jan 3, 2009  
Had this twice once at WeeHeavy’s tasting and opened a bottle on New Years eve. Pours dark black with medium carbonation and a creamy tan head. Aroma of chocolate, bourbon, dark fruit, and vanilla. Flavors were bourbon, vanilla, sweet malt, and dark fruit. Nice creamy mouth feel.


 lb4lb (2011), Austin, Texas, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/516/20
Dec 31, 2008  
Bottle pours mostly black with some dark brown tinges and a short lived beige head. Smell is fruity, and dark with notes of vanilla, bourbon, chocolate and almost coconutty. Taste is slightly chocolatey and smooth with vanilla, bourbon and dark fruit notes behind a lightly roasty creamy front and some dark burnt malt flavor in the finish. A bit of alcohol does show and detract a bit in the flavor, but it is still pretty good. Slightly creamy palate with light carbonation. I like this a little better than the Firestone 11, but this could probably benefit from a bit of mellowing out.


 Naven (875), Poway, California, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/59/103/518/20
Dec 30, 2008  
Bottle, at Toronado. A very expensive bottle of beer, so a big thank you to Jimbowood for purchasing this. Shared with Jimbo and Bartzilla. Having been slightly dissapointed with FW 11, this was a great surprise. Smooth, velvet-like beer, that truly is interesting and complex in every regard. Flavors of Chocolate, Bourbon, Tobacco, Coconut and Caramel are all present. Awesome stuff.


 hopscotch (5500), Vero Beach, Florida, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/57/104/516/20
Dec 30, 2008  
Bottle... <b>This beer rocks!</b>... Very dark with a small, creamy, fat-bubbled head. The aroma is vinous and earthy with notes of sourmash and vanilla arranged upon a lactic, chocolaty undertone. Full-bodied and silky with ticklish carbonation. Sweet, boozy flavor with lots of caramel, chocolate and red wine. Sweet, woodsy finish. <b>Bottle of this world class beer provided by daknole!</b>


 BrewDad (2370), Olympia, Washington, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/516/20
Dec 30, 2008  
Taster – 2008 Great Salt Lake Festivus – Beer Session – Huge flavor, strong aroma, the color was exquisite. Just a fun beer to drink and wow to finally try it. Roasty and toasty note with some great spices. The bourbon and oaky flavors where also present as this beer develops well as it warms up.



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