Firestone Walker Saucer Full of Secrets

Beautiful warm chesnut colour, slight hazy and with a fantastic beige-yellow froth on top. Aroma is very balanced and elegant, it has a rich but refined malty caracter with smooth unthertones of honey and frech caramel with a touch of vanilla. In the 2nd fase there are some nice tones of oriental spices that add complexety, mystery and finesse into this great brew. The well balanced selection of hops brings a nice crispy touch and a great refined frechness into the nose. The taste round, malty and feels right from the first sip. All components are playing together in harmony. The beer has a caracterful malty impression with nice tones of vanilla, caramel, nuts, honey and a unmistacable deep taste of a top XO Cognac. In the 2nd fase the fine mix of spices add lots of complexity and flair into this amazing brew. and the nice thing is, it not overdone. The afthertaste has the caracter of a great Barley Wine, it warms up the body, but the high ABV, 12 % I guess is no where to find. There are also fine tones of dried apricots (only the sugars, not to tart caracter of it ) and some other nice fruity touches. In the finale the great bitters of the welballanced hop-selection are bringing refreshments and balance into this well composed beer. The afthertaste is long and the taste sensations linger on for minutes. Thanks Sean Paxton for this amazing brew.

Tap. So this was the bourbon barrel aged version that is different from the regular version if there is such a thing. The bourbon and vanilla is very prominent, perhaps even a bit overpowering. Belgian style elements are a bit drowned out, but you still get lost of caramel, vanilla and spiced fruit.

Sampled on draught: Pours a cloudy orange colour with a huge white head. Aroma is instantly alcohol, fermented fruits- like apples or something. Orange, and soft yeast. Taste is pleasent, again alcohol right away, but that’s ok. Some sugar, orange peel and spice on the finish. Nice beer.

I’ve heard many descriptions of what this beer is supposed to be. At the Firestone Walker night, it was described as a base abbey beer to be blended with other barrel aged ales. Really, this beer fits more of the dark strong category to me, being that it has the 10.2% ABV to be intensely Barrel Aged. Vanilla, wood, chocolate, dried fruits, yams, toffee and charr. Wonderful, balanced ale, a bit thin and sweet, but throw a bit in the cellar for two years and should be like butta.

FoBAB 2008. Poured a clear dark brown color with an off white head. Smelled of hay, husky grain, and hay. Eh. Medium bodied and semi sweet with husky grain, light booze, and toffee flavors. There was also a hint of dog food, which was a nice touch...if you like dog food.

Portland Holiday Ale Festival 2008. Listed as a Belgian quad, but the dubbel description fits it a bit better I guess, more just like a thrown together belgian strong. Pours copper brown with a soft thin cream colored head. Sweet nose of caramel and prune with a soft estery spice. The buttery oak helped emphasize the small amount of dryness, overall the beer stayed pretty sweet. Soft cocoa, fig, and bread into the finish. I would have preferred a bit more dryness and a bit more spiciness, but overall a nice brew.

At Strong Ale Fest 12/5/08. A wow beer for sure. Dark gold/auburn. No head on top. Caramel, booze, wood, butter, oak and dark dried fruit. Not super carbonated, not as syrupy as XII.

On tap at the 2008 Strong Ale Festival. Poured a deeper amberish-brown color with a very small sized off white head. Aromas of dark fruits -plums and raisins-, lighter woodiness, light vanilla, and caramel. Tastes of dark fruits, vanilla, wood, and chocolate.