Parabanilla
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

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From:
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #82
ABV:
11.7%
Score:
93
Ranked #4,052
Avg:
4.47 | pDev: 7.16%
Ratings:
10 | reviews: 6
Status:
Active
Rated:
Sunday at 12:36 AM
Added:
Jun 19, 2018
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  1
Parabola aged in Willet rye whiskey barrels with Madagascar and Indonesian vanilla beans.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of MutuelsMark
Reviewed by MutuelsMark from Kentucky

4/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours the typical black in color with also typical tan head. Nose is very sweet like vanilla. Taste is also sweet vanilla with a slight chocolate flavor then a berry flavor comes through, maybe rasberry. ABV is not evident.
Sunday at 12:36 AM
Photo of pants678
Reviewed by pants678 from California

4.4/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Black, more brown foam than I expected.

Vanilla iced cream.

Bitter chocolate of parabola's not shoved aside. A burnt cookie type flavor. Thankfully not a pastry stout, significantly different from Achorage's Blessed.

Something grainy about it, not ideal but not a deal breaker.
May 25, 2026
Photo of RonaldTheriot
Reviewed by RonaldTheriot from Louisiana

4.92/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Parabanilla has a thin, beige head and a dark-brown appearance, with lighter highlights and some lacing. The aroma is of vanilla, bourbon barrel, and roasted malt (dark bread crust). It has a similar, triplicate flavor. Parabanilla has a moderate sweetness and bitterness, with a semi-sweet finish.

RJT
May 07, 2026
 
Rated: 4.27 by BAsbill from California

May 06, 2026
 
Rated: 4.25 by Cpmitchno1 from Virginia

Jun 05, 2023
Photo of BradleySig
Reviewed by BradleySig from California

5/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
I had it on tap at the brewery on the Barrel Room tour. It might be the best beer I've ever had, granted it plays right into all of my personal preferences (Barrel aged, big vanilla flavors, not as much coffee). The vanilla adds some sweetness but isn't cloying. I got three 3oz. pours before I left that day. Outstanding.
Jan 08, 2019
 
Rated: 4.25 by IKR from California

Nov 20, 2018
 
Rated: 4.23 by AleHunter805 from California

Jul 03, 2018
Photo of emyers
Reviewed by emyers from Illinois

4.8/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
On tap at FW Barrelworks

Pours near black with a thin light brown lacing

Nose: starts off very similar to Parabola with a bit more spice from the rye, then the vanilla starts to take over.

Taste: Rich vanilla character up front. The rye whiskey barrel comes in next followed by roasted malt and dark fruit. More vanilla on the finish. Great interplay between the base beer and the vanilla, which is very strong but not overpowering.

Feel: full-bodied, low carbonation. Rye barrel gives it a bit of added bite.
Jun 30, 2018
Photo of wethorseblanket
Reviewed by wethorseblanket from California

4.55/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured on-tap at the Propagator beer dinner last night as part of a 5-course meal with brewer Evan. Black with a wisp of tan head and no lace, but some oily sheen. Aroma is straight, sweet, fragrant Madagascar VB over roasty dark chocolate, Willet rye whiskey and wood. Flavor is complex and well balanced. Full body and light carbonation. Finishes long and strong. Must bottle this, please.
Jun 22, 2018