Firestone Walker Parabola

GABF 2007. Oily in the glass without much head at all, just tracings of foam on top. Oily roasty smell with hop oils and a little bit of malt sweetness apparent. Nicely sweet in the mouth with the roast emerging late and only on the sides of the mouth, the sweetness is like confectioner’s sugar, slightly vanilla. The finish starts with the roastiness in the malts, then the hops emerge and make it chewy, ultimately settling into an acrid bitter burn that was a bit off. The hops are more apparent in this than other impy stouts I’ve had, which makes it nicely unique.

Draught, Boulder Strong Ale Fest 2008. Head is mostly diminishing. Body is dark brown to black. Aroma is moderately malty (caramel, chocolate, peanuts), with notes of vanilla, whiskey, wood, sherry, alcohol. Flavor is heavily sweet, lightly bitter. Finish is moderately sweet, lightly to moderately bitter. Full body, velvety/creamy texture, soft carbonation, moderately alcoholic. Didn’t find the aroma terribly enticing, but it’s certainly pleasant. Combination of bitterness and alcohol keep the massive sweetness from being too oppressive. A sipper for sure, but nicely done.

On draft at O’Brien’s for the CBC/WBC. Appearance is a dense and dark brown hue, thick brown pillowy head, thick lacing on the glass. Smell is a delicious and complex range of aromas: bourbon whiskey, oak, vanilla, cherries, chocolate and coffee malts, sweet milk, brown sugar/molasses. Taste is initially smooth milk chocolate malts that transition quickly to boozy whiskey and wood, tones of vanilla and dark fruits, opens up to grainy oatmeal malts, finishes sweet and dry. Mouthfeel is full-bodied, creamy smooth texture is very pleasing and well-crafted, moderate carbonation. Drinkability is high, delicious and well-balanced barrel-aged stout, great malt profile and creamy texture, good oak presence that accents without dominating, sweetness fluctuates between milk chocolate and dark fruits, absolutely a wonderful beer and a must-try for any beer fan!

A tatsy treat on tap at CityBeer. Lots of flavors in this one. Bourbon and chocolate at the forefront with sublime fruit, vanilla and oak. Good stuff from Firestone Walker.

Aged in Bourbon and served at Bailey’s Taproom 1 Year Anniversary--Poured a deep dark black-brown with a frothy thin beige head. Complex nose and floavor profile of vanilla, dark fruits, raisins, toffee, brown sugar, molasses, bitter chocolate and bourbon oak. Delicious!