Firestone Walker 'Bravo' Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Brown Ale 2017 Vintage. 13.2% abv. 28 IBU. Red-brown in color with thin tan head that quickly recedes to a five-minute collar before losing nearly all carb. Moderate retention, excellent lacing. Nose of roasted malt, chocolate, bourbon, dark fruit. Intense wood notes and a tall aroma of toffee rise with the temperature.
Front taste of caramel, vanilla, bourbon, oak. Rich dark chocolate emerges as the temp approaches room. Aftertaste is boozy, warm brown sugar, strong bourbon, some bitter fruity hops on the back of the tongue, sweet finish. Full body. Mouthfeel is thick, sticky, round, astringent.
This is an extraordinary beer, a perfect example of what I look for in a BBA. Fans of brown ales may be put off by this big beer which crosses category past the point of recognition. Few will feel this is a brown ale at all.
That being said, judging it strictly as a BBA, the promised bourbon is up front, beginning in the aroma and continuing in every sip. The wood expression is ever present once the temperature rises. The overall flavor profile includes dark chocolate, plum, vanilla, all of which mingles with the bourbon and oak in a perfect balance.
The aroma is superb from the start, only to get better as the beer warms. I found myself smelling this beer almost as much as I was sipping it. And make no mistake, this is a sipping beer. Frat boys looking to chug-a-lug need look elsewhere. At 13.2%, this big bold brew is meant for casual enjoyment over the course of a conversation. Alas, I was alone on my patio when I popped this bottle, but I normally share such treats with others, not only to spread the wealth but to prevent myself from getting too drunk.
I first had Bravo at the Firestone Walker brewery two years ago. At the time, it was not available in bottles with no plans as such. It was brewed exclusively to be blended in their annual Anniversary Ale. Enjoying it on its own was reserved for visitors to the brewery. I remember my friends and I marveling at how amazing it was, and how it was easily the biggest and best brown ale we'd ever had. We wished they would bottle it. Finally, our wish has been granted. Seek out this limited release beer, especially if you love browns and BBA's. Strongly recommended.
From the brewery:
"February 4, 2017 Release. We proudly present the 2017 Vintage of Bravo, our Imperial Brown Ale aged in retired American oak bourbon barrels. Although Bravo was the first strong ale brewed for our Anniversary Ale blending program over ten years ago, it has yet to see its own bottled release, until now. Balancing rich toasty and chocolate malt flavors with a gentle balance of noble hops, Bravo is brewed to showcase barrel flavors with massive bourbon barrel notes that morph as the beer warms in the glass."
[source: firestonebeer.com]
“Since founding our brewery in 1996, we have specialized in the rare art of fermenting beer in oak barrels. In the Fall of 2006, we embarked on a program to barrel age a series of vintage strong ales that would later be used as components of a blended beer. That blend would become our first Anniversary Ale, ’10’. After the release of ’10’, we released limited amounts of the components beers on draft only. Many of these beers gained a cult following that craft beer fans raved about and begged for us to put in bottle. Bravo was one of these beers.We proudly present the 2017 vintage of Bravo, our Imperial Brown Ale aged in retired American oak bourbon barrels. Although Bravo was the first strong ale brewed for our Anniversary Ale blending program over ten years ago, it has yet to see its own bottled release, until now. Balancing rich toasty and chocolate malt flavors with a gentle balance of noble hops, Bravo is brewed to showcase barrel flavors with massive bourbon barrel notes that morph as the beer warms in the glass."
[source: box]
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