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]

Firestone Walker 'Easy Jack' Session IPA. 4.5% 45-50 IBU. Gold-yellow color. Clear. Finger of white foamy head. Excellent retention and lace. Nose is tropical, sweet bread, floral hop bouquet, light fruit, distant grapefruit. 

Front taste is bitter floral hops, light malt, botanical herbal on the back end. Aftertaste is bitter hoppy, grain, grassy, vegetal, round citrus, dry finish. Light-medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, clean, bright, thin, effervescent.

This is a good category IPA, a true West Coast creation that firmly plants its flag in its subcategory. The floral hop tastes tips the scale over the light malt, with a light body and feel that makes it easy to drink. 

I admit, I was pleasantly surprised. I expected a watered down version of the lawnmower-to-order 805. Instead, a found more flavor here than most beers this sessionable. Recommended.

From the brewery:

"Easy Jack came about when Brewmaster Matt Brynildson went to the mountain top and returned with a vision for a different kind of Session IPA, one that would be brewed and dry hopped with a globetrotting selection of newer hop varieties from Germany, New Zealand and North America. He foresaw a beer that would deliver massive hop aromas, surprising dimension, a signature malt balance and an empty glass before you knew what hit you. And so the newest member of our Jack IPA family was born."

[source: firestonebeer.com]

Firestone Walker 'Parabola' 2016 Vintage. Bourbon Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Oatmeal Stout. 13.1% abv. 79 IBU. Dark brown, nearly black. Two fingers of dense beige head that slowly recedes to a thick reliable collar. Superb retention, outstanding lace. Nose of bourbon, caramel, brown sugar, oak expression. 

Front taste of sweet dark fruit, vanilla, bittersweet dark chocolate, molasses, heavy roasted malt, mellow oak, bourbon back end. Aftertaste is dark berry, raisin, notes of charred wood, bourbon ribbon throughout. Full body. Mouthfeel is hot, thick, creamy, silky, carby, astringent sustain.

This is a world-class beer, a shining example of barrel aging. The profile is full of aromas and flavors, including dense dark fruit, rich caramel malt, tons of bourbon, with a wood/oak expression that starts mild and steps forward in the aftertaste, with a charred nearly smoky taste. The 2015 vintage was phenomenal, and this year's vintage follows tradition with a equally royal taste. One of the best. Strongly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Parabola is a beer of darkness and immensity, a barrel-­aged beast that is routinely ranked as one of the top beers in the world. This Russian imperial oatmeal stout is aged for a full year in a blend of bourbon barrels from Elijah Craig, Four Roses, Pappy Van Winkle, Woodford Reserve and Buffalo Trace, developing flavors of rich, chewy roasted malts, charred oak and bourbony vanilla. Parabola bares its teeth with its impenetrable black hue and soaring alcohol, yet its bite remains refined with a silky, balanced fiwish."
[source: firestonebeer.com]

Firestone Walker 'Stickee Monkee 2015' Central Coast Quad. Bourbon barrel aged. 13.4%. 45 IBU. Black in color. No head, retention, or lace. Nose of rich, sweet malt, dark fruit, caramel. Nose becomes more complex as the temp drops, with emerging port wine grapes and green herbal notes. Front taste of caramel, oak, brown sugar, plums, molasses. Aftertaste of sweet dried fruit, raisins, plums, sweet wine, wood notes, sweet coconut husk in the sustain. Full body. Mouthfeel is warm-hot, rich, sticky, thick.

This is an extraordinary, world-class beer. It's very rich, sweet, malty, fruity, and at times is herbal, botanical, woodsy. A complex myriad of flavors dances in the aroma, the first sips, on though the aftertaste and sustain. The barrel aging is expressed throughout, always in the background, with flavors of toasted oak and port wine. Outstanding. Strongly recommended.

From the brewery:

"A Belgian Quad by recipe, but aging it in spirits barrels garners its own category: Central Coast Quad.  A beer formulated to sit on the sweeter and malty side so that we could utilize it for blending.  Turbinado brown sugar from Mexico and Belgian candi sugar add wonderful molasses flavors.  It has a full body and lush texture with barrel expression all over this beer: toasted oak, coconut, leather and cigar tobacco."

[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. Stickee Monkee was one of these beers. We present the 2015 vintage of Stickee Monkee, a barrel-aged Quad. It has been said that the only constant is change and the same is true for barrel-aged beers. Cut from a similar recipe, this barrel-aged Quad evolved and shows a different face each year; a result of time spent aging in the barrel. Turbinado brown sugar from Mexico adds wonderful molasses flavors that are reminiscent of Belgian candi sugar. It has a full body and lush texture with barrel expression all over; toasted oak, coconut, leather and rich cigar tobacco. This Central Coast Quad is a one-of-a-kind sipping beer built to last and will reward careful aging for years to come.”
[source: box]

This big beer is best shared with friends

My friends and fellow beer enthusiasts Patrick and Michelle shared their Stickee Monkee with me and some friends for my birthday. Cheers!

Firestone Walker 'Pale 31' California Pale Ale. 4.9% abv. 38 IBU. Yellow-gold color. Finger of white bubbly head. Excellent retention and lace. Nose of sweet malt, grain, wheat. Front taste of light malt, bright bitter herbal hops, flowers. Aftertaste of bitter hop bite, biscuit, wheat on the back. Thin-medium body. Mouthfeel is bubbly, round, tangy sustain.

This is an excellent session beer. Easy drinking, bright hop taste, nice body and carb. Every brewery has at least one beer made for the masses, a brew of lighter fare. Firestone's heavily marketed 805 fits that bill, but for my tastes the Pale 31 is a more flavorful refreshing brew. Recommended.

From the brewery:

"A tribute to our home state of California – the 31st to be added to the Union.  Beautiful floral and citrus hop aromas greet the nose with undertones of lightly toasted malt.  Crisp pale and crystal malts offer a hint of sweetness. Subtle hop bitterness offers a refreshing finish.  Perfect for a sunny California day at the beach or BBQ with friends, Pale 31 represents the bold yet approachable spirit that embodies our state."
[source: firestonebeer.com]

Firestone Walker 'Velvet Merlin' Oatmeal Stout. 5.5% abv. 27 IBU. Black in color. A finger of creamy beige head falls quickly to a scattered surface and ring. Low-moderate retention. Very little lacing. Nose of grain, cocoa, bread. Front taste of rich malt, chocolate, coffee, vanilla notes. Aftertaste of oat, herbal hops, milk chocolate on the sustain. Medium-full body. Mouthfeel is creamy, silky, rich.

This is a fine oatmeal stout. As the name implies, it is indeed velvety smooth. The oatmeal comes through in the aftertaste and the silky texture. The chocolate and coffee flavors go well with the oatmeal taste. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"A decadent oatmeal stout.  Velvet Merlin offers robust cocoa and espresso aromas with subtle American hop nuances.  Rich dark chocolate and roasted coffee flavor with a creamy mouth feel and wonderfully dry finish create the perfect balance in this full-bodied stout.  Ideal for sipping in the winter months or at the end of a meal."

[source: firestonebeer.com]

Firestone Walker 'Union Jack' IPA. 7.5 abv. 70 IBU. Clear light honey color. Pours a thick frothy head that slowly recedes to a long-lasting 1/4 inch surface. Good retention, excellent lace. Nose is floral hoppy, notes of citrus, light caramel.  Front taste is balance of roasted malt, fresh ample herbal hops, toffee, background citrus peel. Aftertaste of sweet bread, bitter herbal hop bouquet, roasted sweet malt. Medium-full body. Mouthfeel is warm, round, small-bead carb.

This beer is a solid example of its category, surely above the fold. It's well crafted from nose to finish, with a nice mix of different hop flavors, fresh and bright, fruity and herbal, with a slightly sweet malt backbone. Very good stuff. Well recommended.

From the brewery:

"An aggressively hopped West Coast-style IPA. Union Jack showcases exceptional dry hop character with stunning pineapple, citrus and piney aromas on the nose accompanied by honey-like malt aromatics. Double dry hopping brings bold grapefruit, tangerine and citrus flavors that are contrasted by pale malt sweetness to balance this intense brew. A true tribute to the style that put the West Coast on the craft beer map."
[source: firestonebeer.com]

Firestone Walker 805. 4.7% abv. 20 IBU. Golden-yellow color. Clear. Brief white head falls quickly to a thin collar. Low retention. Almost no lace. Nose is very faint bread, hops. Front tastes of biscuit, distant sweet malt, grain, corn. Aftertaste is bread, faint floral hops. Thin body. Mouthfeel was thin, light, almost watery, some carb. 

This was clearly designed to be a lawnmower beer, great for drinking on a hot summer day of yard work, but not much else. I suppose I enjoyed it, but I would not buy this again. For a craft beer, it tasted like a macro brew, but at twice the price. Firestone Walker makes exceptional beers worth their asking price, but this is not one of them.

From the brewery:

"A beer crafted for the coast. 805 is a light, approachable brew. Born from an all malt recipe and finished with a touch of hops, it's slightly sweet with a clean finish. 805 is the perfect followup to that ultimate surf session or to reward a hard day's work."