Firestone Walker Parabola

Brewed by Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Style: Imperial Stout
Paso Robles, California USA

Had this on tap at the 2nd anniv. of Bailey’s Taproom in Portland, OR. Colour... black with a thin maduro edge around the rim. Nose... toffee, bourbon, dark sweet chocolate and coffee. Palate... not much carbonation but viscous, heady, boozy, sweet-dark chocolate, cold coffee, treacle and a looooong, smooth finish with hints of lust, greed and treachery (in a good way!).

A big-ass RIS -- that I hyped considerably -- poured into a snifter at Blue Palms. Aroma was quite woody, with peat, dark chocolate and noticeable booze. Flavor had strong bourbon components, to go along with musty wood, licorice, soft roasts and firm booziness. Finish is very warming, with vanilla-sweetness. Palate is syrupy-thick throughout, verging on oily. And it lasts a long, long time in your mouth. There is much complexity here, but I think Firestone may have overdone this one. The sweet-booziness is quite high, overriding other (perhaps more interesting) flavors. Or am I just over the mystique of the “barrel-aged”?

I preface this with the fact that bourbon/whiskey beers are not my favorite. The bourbon smell is clear and upfront. Not much head on this but it is a well balanced beer. It does not go to the spirits side. Bit of a sugary aftertaste.

On tap at Blue Palms. Black body, thick and glass coating. No head. Aroma of bourbon, vanilla, chocolate, oatmeal. Taste is nearly fruity up front with dates and plums, dark chocolate decadent brownie, and bourbon cake. Vanilla and lightly toasted coconut. Super thick mouthfeel, rich. Light carbonation. Reminds me a lot of Firestone Walker 12 (which is a good thing)!

Tap @ AnniBrew 2 Barrel Aged Beer Festival... Poured black with no head. Aroma was hot with alcohol and bourbon. Thick, syrupy palate. Coffee and chocolate flavors with roasted malts, earthy hops and a bourbon finish.

On tap. Dark brown, borderline opaque black colored body with a thin head of creamy tan. A fudgey, caramelly malt aroma is softened by some pleasing notes of vanilla and bourbon. The barrel character is prominent, but integrated well into the beer and maintains a soft, rounded profile. Notes of chocolate, but light on the roast. Full bodied, softly carbonated mouthfeel with a rich, silky texture. Sweet malt flavors of chocolate fudge, treacle, and vanilla flood the palate with a tasty dessert-like treat. It kindly refrains from contributing any unpleasant cloying qualities. Light on the roast qualities, with a dark, riesen candy flavor contributing the majority of the malt profile. Some roasted prunes. As in the nose, the barrel qualities are strong, but weave nicely into the malt characters.

Draft. A pitch black beer with a thin brown head. The aroma has notes of sweet malt, alcohol, roasted malt, fruits, prunes, and chocolate. The flavor is powerful with notes of prunes, over ripe fruits, alcohol, roasted malt, and chocolate, leading to adry roasted finish, where the alcohol tickles the tongue.

Poured @ NHC pro brewer night. Pours black. Nose is wood, some vanilla, BOOZE, bourbon, some cocoa. Flavor is chocolately, boozey, dark fruits, vanilla, wood and earthiness. Great offering.