Collective Choice 2024
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

 

Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark mahogany brown, appearing opaque in the glass with a half finger dark khaki head with good retention and slippery lacing. Aroma of dark toasted malt, cocoa, cinnamon, coconut, bourbon and mild coffee. Flavor is dark toasteed malt, Amburana cinnamon, bakers chocolate, woody oak, light coffee and light finishing bitterness. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess. Although a blended ale, this seems to be mostly stout in character although with distinct Amburana and coffee adjunct. The bourbon barrel is modest, although the woody oak is a clear note. The main show is the cinnamon like Amburana which is one of my favorite barrel treatments now. Some dark, bitter chocolate from the bitters and I assume from the malt. Shows its ABV a bit, but the deep malt supports it well. Coffee is present, but not a major flavor component, although it may contribute to the finishing bitterness. Another unusual, but flavorful blended ale from the masters.

 

Bottle pour-dark as a moonless night with short khaki head leaving scattered lacing. Nose is oddly cinnamony with hints of coffee and chocolate. Taste follows and leaves lingering oak on a slightly oily finish.