Firestone Walker Saucer Full of Secrets

Brewed by Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Paso Robles, California USA

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.

Dude shows up last night with a growler from the Pasa Robles FW brewery...says this was on tap and they accidentally poured him a growler...thanks for sharing Warren! Belgian dubbel style...copper amber. Nice aroma and taste of caramel, vanilla, powder sugar...very full body. Rich, sweet malts, easy and delicious thru to finish with slight sour fruit and hops. A bit big, dark and sweet for some, but darn tasty for me! I could drink this many more times with enthusiasm!!

Draught at the brewery; bourbon barrel aged; 10.2%abv. Ruddy brown with a creamy beige head that has good retention. Bourbon and vanilla are quite forward in the aroma, along with some fruity, bright scents (cherry, peach). There is also a nice caramel-maple thing going on, and some dried fruit sugars. The flavor is sweet, with a dried fruit/maple quality. The barrel is evident here as well, with a good doses of oak, vanilla, and bourbon. The alcohol is quite mellow, and along with the wood, works pretty well to just dry out the finish. The body is medium, with plentiful, yet quite soft carbonation; slightly syrupy as well. I think that before aging, this would have been a respectable yet not outstanding belgian dark strong, but the synergy between the bourbon, oak and sweet malty flavors really made this interesting and quite good.

On-tap at O’Brien’s a few weeks back. Smells malty sweet and slightly sour, like sour mash. Looks clearish red/brown, fluffy offwhite head, some lace. Tastes malty sweet, oatmeal, chocolatey but lighter than a stout. There is also a bit of booze flavor on the finish. Smooth, medium body with mellow carb. Tastey and better than Saucerful of Merkin for sure.

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.

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.

On tap at Liar;s Club. Hazy brown with a creamy tan head. Sweet fruity aroma and thick buttery palate. Tastes of pear, dates, raisin, sugar, and chocolate.