Rip This Joint
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

this is really special stuff, not because its a collaboration with side project, which is of course heady, but this is epic beer with or without them, another banger in this huge barrel aged stout space from firestone, who so often delivers on these at the highest level. i must confess i am not a bourbon master and am somewhat unfamiliar with henry mckenna whiskey, but 18 months in the barrels has sure imparted a lot of character. the base stout is also awesome, roasty and chocolate forward without being real sweet, nicely layered on the grain and much to appreciate in it even before the barrel, wrinkles of smoke, dark cocoa, and espresso mingle with leather, raisin, and molasses, and the aroma and the flavor are almost identical, both warm but not hot from the alcohol, long and curious, highly refined, meticulous even. the barrel of course does a lot for this, regal whiskey character all through it, a little spice to the nose, more almost nutty in the flavor with a praline thing in the middle, some sweetness there too of course, a vanilla pull, heaps of char, but more than anything just a deep and rich woodiness that really softens the edges and extends this, cocoa from the grain remains as forward to me as the whiskey, and there is some real age on it, like the maturity is obvious in a way that doesnt manifest as oxidation or thinning in any way. i get pops of peat, ash, and good coffee, and i love how weighty it all feels without relying on a ton of residual sugar or hot booze for that. incredible overall quality, as is to be expected from these two, drinking incredibly well right now, what a treat! perfect warmer for this time of year too, really cozy flavors and mouthfeel, world class.

 

 

 

Bottle pour - dirty crankcase oil with short cinnamon head leaving a barely there ring of tiny bubbles. Nose is roasty malt and bourbony barrel wood. Taste follows with hints of chocolate and vanilla. Finishes slightly sticky and flat with lingering boozy barrel wood on the palate.

 

 

Black, slight ring of foam.

Chocolate, no bourbon.

Roasted malt, sweetness of bourbon and vanilla. Nothing like dark fruit, berry or coffee, just standard bourbon barreled stout.

Hardly carbed, kinda syrupy but no bother. Finish is sticky.