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Firestone 12 - Anniversary Ale
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
- From:
- Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- American Strong Ale
- ABV:
- 12%
- Score:
- 97
- Avg:
- 4.37 | pDev: 9.61%
- Reviews:
- 188
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Jun 03, 2023
- Added:
- Nov 09, 2008
- Wants:
- 345
- Gots:
- 59
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Jeffo:
Reviewed by Jeffo from Netherlands
4.27/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
4.27/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Bomber from bring many moons ago. Thanks for the trade man!
From a bomber into a snifter
Drunk in comparison with FW 13th Anniversary
APPEARANCE: Exactly the same as the 13. Transparent black pour yields a medium sized, medium looking, light tan head with good retention. Black, transparent body with no carbonation evident. Head fades to light wisp and ring. A splotchy wisp and ring remain and leave dots of lacing down the glass.
SMELL: Big bourbon, oak, vanilla, coconut sweet cream and dark chocolate on the nose. Very aromatic. Light espresso as well. Really nice, bold, with lots of barrel and dark chocolate. Just like the 13 but a touch bigger.
TASTE: Big beer for sure. Bourbon and oak up front, with sweet cream and milk chocolate at the swallow. Bold and lingering finish with more barrel character, oak, vanilla, sweet cream and alcohol. Nice layers of bitter, pure chocolate, licorice and a touch of roasted grain offer a solid foundation. This is very similar to the 13 with the same stout-like base beer harmonizing really well with the barrel.
PALATE: Medium body and medium carbonation. Creamy on the palate, smooth as well, goes down smooth and finishes slightly sticky. Some heat lingers on the palate. Identical to the 13.
OVERALL: A wonderful creation all around. I can only assume that this blend worked out so well that FW decided to do the same thing for their 13th Anniversary, as the two beers are virtually identical on the senses. A very robust, stout-like base beer lends a superb foundation for the bold and complex barrel components. Really enjoyed this and would love to drink it, or the 13 for that matter, over and over again. Thanks again for the beers bring. This was really good.
Jan 06, 2014From a bomber into a snifter
Drunk in comparison with FW 13th Anniversary
APPEARANCE: Exactly the same as the 13. Transparent black pour yields a medium sized, medium looking, light tan head with good retention. Black, transparent body with no carbonation evident. Head fades to light wisp and ring. A splotchy wisp and ring remain and leave dots of lacing down the glass.
SMELL: Big bourbon, oak, vanilla, coconut sweet cream and dark chocolate on the nose. Very aromatic. Light espresso as well. Really nice, bold, with lots of barrel and dark chocolate. Just like the 13 but a touch bigger.
TASTE: Big beer for sure. Bourbon and oak up front, with sweet cream and milk chocolate at the swallow. Bold and lingering finish with more barrel character, oak, vanilla, sweet cream and alcohol. Nice layers of bitter, pure chocolate, licorice and a touch of roasted grain offer a solid foundation. This is very similar to the 13 with the same stout-like base beer harmonizing really well with the barrel.
PALATE: Medium body and medium carbonation. Creamy on the palate, smooth as well, goes down smooth and finishes slightly sticky. Some heat lingers on the palate. Identical to the 13.
OVERALL: A wonderful creation all around. I can only assume that this blend worked out so well that FW decided to do the same thing for their 13th Anniversary, as the two beers are virtually identical on the senses. A very robust, stout-like base beer lends a superb foundation for the bold and complex barrel components. Really enjoyed this and would love to drink it, or the 13 for that matter, over and over again. Thanks again for the beers bring. This was really good.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by brewandbbq from New Hampshire
4.29/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.29/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Properly cellared bottle.
Pours dark brown with a short-lived head of tan. Minimal retention or lacing. Bourbon, raisins, cocoa, and vanilla in the nose with a hint of smoke. Medium bodied with a tacky, chewy mouthfeel. Boozy raisins with toffee, figs, and caramel on the palate. Finishes with bourbon, oak, and vanilla.
Nov 09, 2021Pours dark brown with a short-lived head of tan. Minimal retention or lacing. Bourbon, raisins, cocoa, and vanilla in the nose with a hint of smoke. Medium bodied with a tacky, chewy mouthfeel. Boozy raisins with toffee, figs, and caramel on the palate. Finishes with bourbon, oak, and vanilla.
Reviewed by scootny from New York
4.32/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.32/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A super dark brown liquid that looks black. Wisp of carbonation on top after the small head fades. A little lacing and syrupy stick traces of the what is obviously a thick brew.
Nose is sweet with lots of dark fruits and thick toffee like malt construct. Bourbon and vanilla flow into cherries and pepper from the fusel vapors.
Taste is surprisingly barleywine like. With huge notes of toffee and dark fruits. The bourbon gives an added depth and complexity that offers vanilla, cherries and oak. Also the lovely surprise of a mocha like chocolate coffee infusion that I guess comes from a base brew that leans in the direction of a RIPA but not quite. while there is definitely some heat it is tamer than you might expect and is well integrated into the overall profile. Hops are very well done, with earthy fuggles being a large presence. Finish is longish with notes of alcohol, dates, raisins and the sweet brown bread in a can from B&M.
Feel is thick and syrupy with a mild and tingly carbonation. Surely a sipper. Surprisingly easy to drink.
After 10 years thesis a great treat. Lovely.
Apr 15, 2018Nose is sweet with lots of dark fruits and thick toffee like malt construct. Bourbon and vanilla flow into cherries and pepper from the fusel vapors.
Taste is surprisingly barleywine like. With huge notes of toffee and dark fruits. The bourbon gives an added depth and complexity that offers vanilla, cherries and oak. Also the lovely surprise of a mocha like chocolate coffee infusion that I guess comes from a base brew that leans in the direction of a RIPA but not quite. while there is definitely some heat it is tamer than you might expect and is well integrated into the overall profile. Hops are very well done, with earthy fuggles being a large presence. Finish is longish with notes of alcohol, dates, raisins and the sweet brown bread in a can from B&M.
Feel is thick and syrupy with a mild and tingly carbonation. Surely a sipper. Surprisingly easy to drink.
After 10 years thesis a great treat. Lovely.
Rated by Can_has_beer from Texas
3.67/5 rDev -16%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.67/5 rDev -16%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
For a FW Anny, this is pretty harsh. It did not hold too well. It's better than the 11, but has seen many better days. Consumed June 2016.
Jun 06, 2016Rated by greg4579 from Pennsylvania
4.36/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.36/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
The old girl was still kicking. At this age it has everything to do with handling. I would not let this go too far longer.
Jun 11, 2015Rated by lillitnn92 from Virginia
3.12/5 rDev -28.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
3.12/5 rDev -28.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Weird notes on smell and taste
Jan 20, 2015Rated by atrocity from Virginia
2.98/5 rDev -31.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
2.98/5 rDev -31.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
Too far oxidized for this one.
Jan 19, 2015Rated by HuskyinPDX from Washington
4.5/5 rDev +3%
4.5/5 rDev +3%
Bottle opened on 6.21.14
Smooth bourbon, sweet dark fruits, chocolate, nice.
Aug 15, 2014Smooth bourbon, sweet dark fruits, chocolate, nice.
Firestone 12 - Anniversary Ale from Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
97 out of
100 with
305 ratings
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