Firestone Walkers Reserve (Robust Porter)

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

Draft at San Diego Brewing Company. I had to smell really hard to get the aromas out of this one. But finally picked up some coffee and chocolate. Flavors were about the same, but they started to fall off around the middle. I really like a porter if it is a good porter, but I haven’t found very many excellent porters.

Plum pudding with Brandy custard?. This rich creamy porter is spiced fruits (raisins, cinnamon) server with burnt coffee, and one of the nicest porters I have had. The cream finish just takes the edge off the harshness and leaves you with an almost glowing feeling. Deep amber in colour with a lovely creamy head. Good for special occasions. Probaby best with a sharp cheese or a rich chocolate mousse.

Bottled. Pours coca-cola black with red hues. Tan head. Chocolate aroma with livley fruit notes as well. Mild chocolate flavors and a bit of coffee. a little bit of sweet toffee as well. Light on the palate.

Bottle. The poured a deep brown. Very opaque but clear. Moderate but quickly dissipating head (off white). The aroma had chocolate, nutty/oaky wood, and maybe some cinnamon. Relatively nice. I noted caramel malt, milk chocolate, wood, and some citrus flavors (hops?) deep down midway through the tasting. I also noted a lingering chocolate finish. The body was medium, a bit chalky at first but moved to a more creamy texture as it warmed. A good porter overall, but be sure not to drink this too cold. I missed a lot of the character early on. Not as good with my steak as I had hoped.

A dark brown porter with coffee and a slightly carmel aroma. This brew is slightly sweet and rich. Certainly a medium-bodied beer with a mildly bitter finish. I really cared for the overall richness that this brew provides. Just a good mix overall--not too sweet or full-bodied and has a roundess that must come from its aging. Well done.

This is from a 22oz bottle. Poured out an opaque black with a tall light brown head that dies down quickly leaving some lace around the glass. Aroma is full of dark chocolate and a bit of roasted coffee. The flavor was similar with a bittersweet chocolate up front and roasted coffee flavors coming on strong as well. There were notes of earthy hops and this beer ended with a lingering roasted coffee flavor. Mouthfeel was about medium with good drinkability. Pretty good example of the style.

We luckily stumbled upon a keg of FW Reserve at Tavern liquor in the San Fernando Valley. Very good porter. Fine, distinctive flavor. Another great effort by Firestone.

Bottle. Brown-black with a beige head. Aroma of chocolate and coffee with roasted malts. Roasted malt flavor with chocolate but also with a background sourness that I just couldn’t get past. Thinner body.