Firestone 16 - Anniversary Ale | Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Brewed by:
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
California, United States
firestonewalker.com
Style: American Strong Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 13.00%
Availability: Limited (brewed once)
Notes / Commercial Description:
23% Velvet Merkin
22.5% Stickee Monkee
20.3% Double Double Barrel Ale
10.8% Parabola
8.1% PNC
5.4% Helldorado
5.4% Bravo
4.5% Wookey Jack
Added by AgentMunky on 11-15-2012
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.
Ratings: 1,123 | Reviews: 168
4.5/5 rDev +4.9%
SkiBum22, Jan 10, 2013
3.01/5 rDev -29.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
I guess I'm the odd man out on this one... I was eagerly awaiting this release, the anniversary beers from FW being one of my favorite. Unfortunately I was not a fan of some of the flavors in here. It's difficult not to judge relative to previous incarnations, especially the 14, which I feel sets the bar. The component beers were well executed and the blend made sense, the sum of the parts being greater than the whole. I can't say this for 16. The beer itself is thinner with less mouthfeel - like the FG is just less. The tequila component is noticeable and doesn't complement the other pieces well. The blend has a drying property that chops the back end of the taste profile off; a decay that I think is hard won and an important contribution from the barleywines and stouts. All of the tastes that the other reviewers noted - chocolate, toffees, leather, etc. - were muted, mottled, and attenuated. The whole is less than the sum of the parts, IMO. I can only assume it was the PNC and not some degradation of the other beers, all of which I am familiar with. The PNC is only 8% and I'm surprised it had this much of an impact.
1,135 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
I guess I'm the odd man out on this one... I was eagerly awaiting this release, the anniversary beers from FW being one of my favorite. Unfortunately I was not a fan of some of the flavors in here. It's difficult not to judge relative to previous incarnations, especially the 14, which I feel sets the bar. The component beers were well executed and the blend made sense, the sum of the parts being greater than the whole. I can't say this for 16. The beer itself is thinner with less mouthfeel - like the FG is just less. The tequila component is noticeable and doesn't complement the other pieces well. The blend has a drying property that chops the back end of the taste profile off; a decay that I think is hard won and an important contribution from the barleywines and stouts. All of the tastes that the other reviewers noted - chocolate, toffees, leather, etc. - were muted, mottled, and attenuated. The whole is less than the sum of the parts, IMO. I can only assume it was the PNC and not some degradation of the other beers, all of which I am familiar with. The PNC is only 8% and I'm surprised it had this much of an impact.
1,135 characters
4.27/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Poured into a Kate the Great tulip.
A: Pours near-opaque, dark ruby with half a finger of head.
S: The nose is incredible with bourbon notes dominating but vanilla, coffee, and chocolate are also present. The nose is quite heady, booze is present and noticeable.
T: Upfront bourbon sweetness presents. In the mid-palate vanilla mixes with slight toffee and biscuit. In the back it is malty sweet then hot with a touch of fruity tequila.
M: Mouthfeel is surprisingly light and well carbonated providing a nice balance to the boisterous flavors that are present.
At 13% ABv it is very warming in the back and makes no attempt to conceal its alcohol content but this is not a bad thing as I found it quite balancing. This here is all about the barrels. It is an excellently blended beer that provides a complex look at the influence of a barrel and the beers which constitute it. The influences of the barrels are presented linearly down the palate in expert fashion. A big, big beer that it is very complex and is a great example of fantastic barrel aging.
1,062 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Poured into a Kate the Great tulip.
A: Pours near-opaque, dark ruby with half a finger of head.
S: The nose is incredible with bourbon notes dominating but vanilla, coffee, and chocolate are also present. The nose is quite heady, booze is present and noticeable.
T: Upfront bourbon sweetness presents. In the mid-palate vanilla mixes with slight toffee and biscuit. In the back it is malty sweet then hot with a touch of fruity tequila.
M: Mouthfeel is surprisingly light and well carbonated providing a nice balance to the boisterous flavors that are present.
At 13% ABv it is very warming in the back and makes no attempt to conceal its alcohol content but this is not a bad thing as I found it quite balancing. This here is all about the barrels. It is an excellently blended beer that provides a complex look at the influence of a barrel and the beers which constitute it. The influences of the barrels are presented linearly down the palate in expert fashion. A big, big beer that it is very complex and is a great example of fantastic barrel aging.
1,062 characters
3.97/5 rDev -7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Dark coffee brown with no head to speak of. Leaves thick legs on the glass.
S - Lots of whiskey, tobacco, leather, and smoke. Smells a lot like the 15th.
T - Lots of whiskey and barrel wood. Lots of dark chocolate and cocoa nibs. Lot's more chocolate than I remember.
M - A little lighter than I expected and no carbonation. A little booze on the tongue.
O - Not as good as last years but still another amazing brew from Firestone. A little too close to the 15 though.
477 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Dark coffee brown with no head to speak of. Leaves thick legs on the glass.
S - Lots of whiskey, tobacco, leather, and smoke. Smells a lot like the 15th.
T - Lots of whiskey and barrel wood. Lots of dark chocolate and cocoa nibs. Lot's more chocolate than I remember.
M - A little lighter than I expected and no carbonation. A little booze on the tongue.
O - Not as good as last years but still another amazing brew from Firestone. A little too close to the 15 though.
477 characters
4.2/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Christmas dinner 2012
A - Poured out an opaque, jet black color with a one-finger, off-white head of foam. It left thin sheets of lace on the glass.
S - It smelled of vanilla and oak. Some dark chocolate notes, too.
T - It tasted of roasted malts, vanilla, oak, bourbon, toffee and a touch of bitter hops. Fairly boozy, too.
M - It was smooth and clean finish. A medium to full bodied brew.
O - This is fantastic. Firestone Walker's anniversary beers have all been great.
476 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Christmas dinner 2012
A - Poured out an opaque, jet black color with a one-finger, off-white head of foam. It left thin sheets of lace on the glass.
S - It smelled of vanilla and oak. Some dark chocolate notes, too.
T - It tasted of roasted malts, vanilla, oak, bourbon, toffee and a touch of bitter hops. Fairly boozy, too.
M - It was smooth and clean finish. A medium to full bodied brew.
O - This is fantastic. Firestone Walker's anniversary beers have all been great.
476 characters
4.27/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
22 oz. bottle poured into a Founders snifter.
Apprearance: Dark brown with a thin off-white head dissipating after seconds to a thin lacing.
Smell: There's a lot going on here. Bourbon is the first thing I notice, followed by figs and some cherry. Very strong dark fruit presence. Apple brandy. Rich toffee and cocoa powder, which strengthens as the beer warms. Some very slight citrus hop notes. There's just a hint of tequila - it's subtle but definitely there.
Taste: Equally as complex as the aroma. Love the bourbon/brandy combo going on. Nice carmelized sugar/creme brulee flavor. Cocoa and more dark fruit, which isn't as strong as in the aroma. It's just a bit "busy" with all of the flavors going on, but when all is said and done they meld pretty well. The alcohol is not particularly hidden and really comes out in the finish (I feel like the tequila amplifies this). I think this could be truly spectacular with some age if the flavors meld a bit more and the alcohol harshness dies a bit.
Mouthfeel: Full bodied and very smooth. Appropriately low carbonation. Coats the palate nicely as it goes down.
Overall: This beer is a great experience to drink. It's pretty fun to pick out all of the various flavors going on. Definitely ranks up there with the most complex beers I've had. A little too hot fresh, and honestly I feel like the tequila holds it back a bit (but then I'm not a fan of tequila). Still, I'd love to taste this after a couple years.
1,468 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
22 oz. bottle poured into a Founders snifter.
Apprearance: Dark brown with a thin off-white head dissipating after seconds to a thin lacing.
Smell: There's a lot going on here. Bourbon is the first thing I notice, followed by figs and some cherry. Very strong dark fruit presence. Apple brandy. Rich toffee and cocoa powder, which strengthens as the beer warms. Some very slight citrus hop notes. There's just a hint of tequila - it's subtle but definitely there.
Taste: Equally as complex as the aroma. Love the bourbon/brandy combo going on. Nice carmelized sugar/creme brulee flavor. Cocoa and more dark fruit, which isn't as strong as in the aroma. It's just a bit "busy" with all of the flavors going on, but when all is said and done they meld pretty well. The alcohol is not particularly hidden and really comes out in the finish (I feel like the tequila amplifies this). I think this could be truly spectacular with some age if the flavors meld a bit more and the alcohol harshness dies a bit.
Mouthfeel: Full bodied and very smooth. Appropriately low carbonation. Coats the palate nicely as it goes down.
Overall: This beer is a great experience to drink. It's pretty fun to pick out all of the various flavors going on. Definitely ranks up there with the most complex beers I've had. A little too hot fresh, and honestly I feel like the tequila holds it back a bit (but then I'm not a fan of tequila). Still, I'd love to taste this after a couple years.
1,468 characters
4.42/5 rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Massive thanks to hugonaut13 for this gem:
Dark, swampy brown body with edges of coffee clarity. A large gauge finger of khaki carbonation fades to a thick collar within a few minutes... oily alcohol legs coat the glass along with some thin bits of lacing.
Mmmm... bourbon... roasted nutty malt notes soaked in caramel and boozy toffee, vanilla sweetness with the charred wood character, the alcohol presents itself with a touch of brown sugar, molasses... big and bad... nice.
Yup. Oaky bourbon, breakfast flavors... oatmeal and chocolate, even a touch of coffee maybe, caramel cake, more of that sweet bourbon, toffee and liquor... the complexity demonstrated here is on par with Melange 3. Wonderfully dynamic stuff.
Very grateful to have had the chance to try this one out - can't wait to crack the 15, thanks Tom!
822 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Massive thanks to hugonaut13 for this gem:
Dark, swampy brown body with edges of coffee clarity. A large gauge finger of khaki carbonation fades to a thick collar within a few minutes... oily alcohol legs coat the glass along with some thin bits of lacing.
Mmmm... bourbon... roasted nutty malt notes soaked in caramel and boozy toffee, vanilla sweetness with the charred wood character, the alcohol presents itself with a touch of brown sugar, molasses... big and bad... nice.
Yup. Oaky bourbon, breakfast flavors... oatmeal and chocolate, even a touch of coffee maybe, caramel cake, more of that sweet bourbon, toffee and liquor... the complexity demonstrated here is on par with Melange 3. Wonderfully dynamic stuff.
Very grateful to have had the chance to try this one out - can't wait to crack the 15, thanks Tom!
822 characters
Firestone 16 - Anniversary Ale from Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
4.29
out of 5
based on 1,123 ratings.