Hydra Cuvée
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

Hydra CuvéeHydra Cuvée
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From:
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
American Strong Ale
ABV:
10%
Score:
91
Avg:
4.08 | pDev: 9.07%
Reviews:
14
Ratings:
98
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Apr 15, 2019
Added:
May 10, 2014
Wants:
  18
Gots:
  15
A collaboration blend made with Flying Dog Brewery for the 2014 SAVOR in Washington, DC.

Hydra Cuveé is a blend of four different beers—two barrel-aged beers, a robust imperial porter and a black rye IPA. In keeping with Greek mythology, the Hydra represents three distinct parts—the Lion, the Bear (both from Firestone Walker’s insignia) and the Flying Dog. The imperial porter was brewed on March 25, 2014 and was blended with two barrel-aged beers and a black rye IPA. Expect the porter to be rich and chewy with a lot of caramel and chocolate malts alongside oat flakes and a mellow stone fruit hop profile. Flying Dog’s Matt Brophy and Firestone Walker’s Matt Brynildson picked the barrel-aged beers from Firestone Walker’s Barrelworks program.
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Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois

3.9/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottled 4/21/14; drank 3/10/16 @ California Split.

Opaque brown appearance.

Minimal khaki head; minimal lace.

Plum, fresh earth & dark cherry notes in the nose.

Medium thick mouthfeel.

Plum & caramel flavors up front; faint booze heat notes on the finish.

Enjoyable quad vibes here; above average.
Apr 15, 2019
Photo of weareallfalafel
Reviewed by weareallfalafel from Virginia

4.22/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Bottled 2014, enjoyed march 2017. Poured from the bomber into a snifter. Pours a deep and dark brown/mahogany, but not quite black with an inch or so of tan head that dissipated slowly and leaves lacing on the side of the glass. Smell is bourbon all day, not a lot else. Some caramelly sweet notes, but mostly just bourbon. Taste is more complex, with a stout like caramelly burnt sugar quality, a bite of hops in the middle, bit sweet vanilla and bourbon at the end. Feel is full in body, with next to no boozy flavor or burn. Overall, it's tasty af, just hard to pin down exactly what to look for since it's got so many different components blended together. Age may have done this one more harm than good, and maybe it was easier to pick out distinct qualities when fresher, but still delicious!
Mar 08, 2017
Photo of ThisWangsChung
Reviewed by ThisWangsChung from Maryland

3.46/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
My friend managed to gift me one of these bottles - apparently, this is a blend of FW's Bravo (BA brown ale), Double DBA (not my favorite FW offering), Wookey Jack, and an imperial porter from Flying Dog that's "inspired" by Gonzo.

Pours a dark brown color that doesn't look perfectly black, but still manages to be opaque. The head is about two fingers high and mocha in shade. The texture of the head is a little thin, and doesn't leave much lacing on the glass as a result. Retention is mediocre as well.

The first thing I get from the aroma is a faded hop bite - this must be the influence of Wookey Jack and "Gonzo". I also pick up hints of espresso. A mildly tart aspect shows up afterwards, suggesting fruity ale esters. And then, after many inhalations, Firestone Walker's distinct barrel character takes the forefront (and is the best part of the nose) Make no mistake, this is insanely complex. It's a bit chaotic also, but hey it's a blend. As deep as it is, I'm a little disappointed that I can't distinctly pick out Bravo - otherwise, this is an intriguingly imperfect aroma in all facets.

On my first sip, I begin to believe it's shockingly balanced - and then on the second sip, it reveals itself to be the swirling maelstrom the aroma suggested it to be. It opens up with some gentle toasted malt and brown sugar. It also seems to have picked up Double DBA's insipidness, as the midtaste is surprisingly empty (apart from mild ale esters). The hops of Wookey Jack and "Gonzo" finish it off well, cleansing the palate of excess sweetness. The FW barrel character is subdued compared to the aroma. It's blended well enough to damper some of the complexity, but not enough to balance the individual notes well.

The feel is deft and light. Perhaps a touch dinky in body, but I don't care. Carbonation is somewhat mild befitting a brew with barrel-aged components. It seems like this relies on a hop bitterness to dry the palate more than anything - and it works.

This is a very interesting experience, but not a great beer. The whole thing smacks of "a couple brewers having fun" rather than making a perfect drinking experience, and I respect it for that. Obviously it will never be made again, but I'm still enjoying this well enough. Drink it now if you have a bottle.

3.46/5: Lots of fun, but not an artistic masterpiece
Dec 13, 2016
 
Rated: 4.35 by DrBier from Pennsylvania

Dec 03, 2016
 
Rated: 4.43 by Dirtyhands from Maryland

Sep 04, 2016
 
Rated: 3.96 by singlespeed from Delaware

Aug 30, 2016
 
Rated: 4.25 by Lucoli from New York

Jul 19, 2016
 
Rated: 4.25 by drewone from California

Jun 06, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by GRG1313 from California

Jun 05, 2016
Photo of maxifunk777
Rated by maxifunk777 from California

4.08/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
On tap at FW Venice a good perfect spring and summer time outdoor festivities.
Jun 02, 2016
 
Rated: 4.44 by Bnoise11 from California

May 21, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by shirtless_mike from Indiana

May 16, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by Sazz9 from Texas

May 09, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by BeerOps from Illinois

Feb 26, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by Beerbom from California

Dec 19, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by ivegot3Dvision from Oregon

Dec 15, 2015
 
Rated: 3.93 by erjaq from California

Dec 06, 2015
 
Rated: 3.99 by StoutSnob40 from California

Nov 27, 2015
 
Rated: 4.19 by sheenisgod from California

Nov 01, 2015
 
Rated: 3 by scottiethebody from California

Oct 26, 2015
Hydra Cuvée from Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 98 ratings