FW X Anniversary

It will probably take a lot to land a FW X. In my opinion it isn't worth it. FW X has been way over the hill for a long time now. If you want to have it look cool in your cellar than go for it, but I doubt you'd get the same enjoyment from what is actually in the bottle.

 

^ second this. some report that fw x is doing great, but i haven't had a good bottle in a few years; i'd suspect it is bottle variation, storage variation, or palate variation/inexperience.

fwiw, if you want to calibrate against my experiences, fw xi is past its peak, fw xiii is past its peak, fw xii drinks ok but is past its peak, don't know about the latest two.

firestone doesn't age very well, in my experience. i mean most beers don't, but firestone especially badly. their beers are best fresh.

 

14 is still quite tasty.

 

Yep, just get 14 and live the good life.

 

a number of local BA's did a Firestone X-XV vertical about a month back, and we were all blown away by how good X and XI still were.

I'm sure part of it has to do with not having as much experience with these beers as many CA folks, but to many of us we were shocked by how pleasant and tasty they were especially considering the constant talk that these beers are over the hill.

Are they past their peak? I can't speak to that at all, but I can say that I would trade for another X if I knew how it was stored.

I'd actually bet it wouldn't take quite as much as you'd think considering that most beer geeks think its not tasting great anymore.

Cheers!

 

I had a small taste of FW X earlier this year and found that it was doing quite well. I tend to think that these beers are boozy messes fresh though (well at least XIII big time), so my opinion is different than most.

 

I drank one about 8 months ago that was cellared in almost perfect conditions and it was holding up really nicely but to be completely honest we also drank one about a year and a half ago that was pretty oxidized, that one was opened by a buddy from a trade. I think the cellaring conditions as almost everyone else is saying also is key.

I have one more and would possibly be interested in trading it but would probably want something of similar vintage or a newer rare beer. Do you have any ideas of what you would offer for a bottle? I would feel horrible though if you opened it and it was a drainpour so I am kinda torn on even trading it. Shoot me a message man if you are interested, if not no worries. I can also provide pics of my cellar and proof of the conditions and temps it stays at. Lots of other BAs can attest to my very meticulous cellar and conditions also.

 

I've had many people tell me 13 was really boozy. I took a whole bomber to the dome when it came out. Never once thought it was overtly boozy. But I like it hot so maybe that's just me.

 

I did a 12-15 vert last night and 12 was okay but really muted with barely any barrel left. 13 was mellow and has come together nicely but won't hold on for 2 more years, 14 is at its peak for me, and 15 isn't nearly as hot as it was at release. I had 10 and 11 about 8 months ago and they were past their prime already but worth trying, although I wouldn't trade a lot of top notch stuff for them.

 

I just want to reiterate that FW X isn't worth the cost on taste. I'd imagine that getting one would be rough, and it's just not going to deliver on taste. Unless the thing you give up is similarly over the hill, I guess.