Ancho & Fig Parabola
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

 

(12 oz bottle, purchased at the Paso Robles brewery in mid-September... shared with my brother in stemless wine glasses... review taken from basic recollections)

Had some high hopes for this one. While it's a solid rendering of the Parabola brand, the expression of ancho and fig just didn't floor me. I would aruge the fig was nearly indiscernible, maybe lending only a subtle depth enhancement to the overall malt character, while the ancho, though present from the get-go in the finish, did not bloom into the potent earthy-spicy player I anticipated... FW often puts some quirky items into these BA behemoths, but too often these additives are understated. Not saying they should go full artifical adjunct, but they can push things a little harder and I think their fans would easily appreciate it (2458)

Pours a deep mahogany brown and settles pure black in the glass with a creamy tan head. Gorgeous BA imperial stout.

The nose puts forth a lot lot fig and chili notes, and there’s also rich dark chocolate and roasty malt, and a bit of bourbon. Wonderful.

The bourbon is a bit more prominent on the taste, especially as a warming at the back of the palate, leaving the fig and slight heat from the Ancho chili to balance the roasty malt and milk chocolate. So delicious.

The mouthfeel is full and slightly creamy, adding to the seriously drinkability this 12.3% ABV has that verges on dangerous. World class stuff here, IMHO.

 

 

12 oz into a snifter


This is going to get high marks because parabola is one of my all-time favorite beers, and this just adds a slight accent without altering the base flavors. Think 12 ways of Speedway if you know San Diego.

What’s remarkable is how consistent Parabola has been over the years - classic BBA stout on the cusp of a pastry, oaky, toasty, oozing with notes of coffee and cocoa.

Super dark black with khaki head. Nose is barleywine like initially and then second whiff the bourbon comes through. Taste is chocolate and slight ancho pepper hint. Afterwards there is a bit of a tingle on the throat. My only wish is it had more char flavor.