Firestone 20 - Anniversary Ale
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

22oz bottle poured into a snifter

A- pours deep brown in color with a one-finger foamy off-white head that reduces to a ring around the glass

S- rich malty nose with initial aromas of brown sugar, caramel, brownie batter & fruitcake. Barrel elements add oak & equal parts bourbon and brandy, which add aromas of light vanilla, red grapes, black cherries & raisins. Hints of pipe tobacco and just a trace of citrusy hops

T- rich and malty up front with notes of caramel, toffee, brown sugar & molasses. Mid-palate brings out dark fruit notes of black cherry, raisins, figs and prunes. Beyond the fruity notes, the barrels start to come out, adding wet oak, bourbon and brandy. The finish turns to chocolate & a hint of cinnamon spice and booze. Caramel, brown sugar and oak on the linger

M- medium body with moderate-low carbonation leads to a creamy mouthfeel that continues into a silky and velvety warming finish

O- as with all of the anniversary beers, the complexity is impressive. It opens up more as it breaths in the glass

22 ounce bottle, 2016 vintage. Served in a Teku, the beer pours a very dark brown color with about an inch tan head that stuck around a while. There's also a good amount of lacing. I like the aroma, the brew smells like bourbon, vanilla, dark fruit, brown sugar, molasses, brandy and caramel. For the most part I think the taste is similar to the aroma, but there's also the addition of some dark bread, toffee and woody flavors. And a little bit of booze too as the brew warms up. Mouthfeel/body is medium/full, it's slick and a bit syrupy with a moderate amount of carbonation. I thought this was good overall, but think it might have packed more of a punch when fresher. Certainly worth trying if you get the chance!

Another outstanding Anniversary brew from FW.To my taste… above and beyond.
Was late to the party and was fortunate to pick up a bottle at FW Venice bottle shop a few years after release. Related, BIG kudos to the Venice team. Everybody from bar/beer guy to bottle shop guy to someone on phone who ok’d selling a single Anni… perfect! People who definitely know their beer AND are reallly cool people. I thought Paso Robles and Barrelworks people were great; but Venice people were as good as I’ve met anywhere.
Ok…beer…
Classic look and smoothness, but this one just reached out a bit more aroma wise. The taste lept out with super rich Parabola lovingly highlighted by the big quad SM and imp brown Bravo.
Unsure if I should think of this as a special year Anniversary… or maybe the best Parabola yet.
Had mine at about 5+ years out.
Special brew!

 

Look: It pours dark brown with a slight bit of clouding. It clears as it warms. The head is light brown. Head retention is low.

Smell: A strong rich malt blend of caramel, toffee, and nuts to start. There is a bit of sweetness in the nose with black cherry and a bit of cherry pipe tobacco. There are hints of dark fruits.

Taste: The flavors are caramel, toffee, dark cherry, nuts to start. There is a bit of sweetness with some dark fruit and alcohol. It also has a low wood note plus some vinous qualities.

Feel: It has a full almost chewy body and smooth alcohol warming.

Overall, a very complex blend of flavors and aromas. An absolute pleasure to drink.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I saved this beer for 3-4 years - should have refrigerated. No head - still a great malty strong taste . just purchased a XXIII anniversary - will see ow this stands up to the newer one

 

 

10/3/19 draft @ Pub 365 Las Vegas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12/24/18 (Las Vegas): Anniversary XX Firestone Walker bottled 10/11/16, shared the bomber with brother David as his gift, poured into snifter glasses. Black pour with light tan head. Light bourbon aroma, roasted malts as well. Bourbon the predominant taste, wine, dark chocolate and roasted malt round the very balanced taste out. Light, sweet mouth feel, somewhat creamy, easy drinking. Overall very good offering, thanks for sharing!

 

 

 

Pours deep brown, ring of tan head surrounds a fine film.
Nose is chocolate, grape, licorice, alcohol.
Taste is chocolate, coffee, honey, graham cracker, orange, grape, cranberry.
Mouthfeel is full, medium carb. No heat, slightly dry finish.
Overall, this is solid, though leans hard towards barleywine for me. I'd love more of the characteristics of the other beers to present.

Bottle: Poured a dep burgundy color ale with a large brown head with OK retention and some light lacing. Aroma of light roasted malt and black chocolate notes with some pretty intense woody notes and vanilla and bourbon notes also clearly distinguishable. Taste is a complex and immensely enjoyable mix of woody notes with some vanilla and bourbon, some black chocolate notes with light residual sugar notes and light alcohol warming notes. Body is pretty full with good carbonation with some alcohol notes apparent. Another great anniversary beer from this fine brewery.

 

My son’ s wedding

Bottle in box with tasting notes

Poured into a glass , deep bark brown. Liquid, one finger taupe foam cap, settles rather quickly to a taupe ring

Aroma is bourbon, molasses , dark fruits, raisins

Taste is dark fruits, raisins, charred barrel, bourbon, complex flavors

Smooth but I get some alcohol , not a burn , but I get some on the taste low sudsing

Good beer

Fantastic beer other than smelling like fish water. Wtf.