Firestone Walker: "BRAVO" Finally Takes A Bow

Discussion in 'Beer Releases' started by rfgetz, Jan 23, 2017.

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  1. rfgetz

    rfgetz Pooh-Bah (2,609) Nov 14, 2008 New Jersey
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    http://www.firestonebeer.com/press-room/index.php?id=75

    "BRAVO" Finally Takes A Bow
    JANUARY 23, 2017

    Paso Robles, CA: For the first time since its brewing inception more than a dozen years ago, Firestone Walker’s “Bravo” imperial brown ale is finally finding its way into the bottle, with a limited release set for early February across all Firestone Walker markets.

    Along the way, Bravo ($9.99) launches the transition of all Firestone Walker Vintage Reserve barrel-aged beers from 22-ounce bombers to individually boxed 12-ounce bottles in 2017, to include longtime stalwarts such as Parabola and the annual Anniversary Ale.

    Bravo: Back to The Future

    Bravo was the first beer matured in retired spirits barrels by Brewmaster Matt Brynildson in 2004, during the experimental stages of what would become Firestone Walker’s inaugural Anniversary Ale.

    From day one, Bravo has epitomized Firestone Walker’s approach to barrel-aged beers. “At the time, most barrel-aged beers veered toward the sweeter side,” Brynildson said. “We wanted to make something more dry and lean that would really allow the true bourbon barrel character to pop.”

    Bravo has remained one of the driest beers in Firestone Walker’s Vintage Reserve series of barrel-aged beers, and since day one has been considered a vital component in the annual blending of the Anniversary Ale, balancing out some of the stickier components.

    “Coming out of stainless steel, Bravo is pretty bracing,” Brynildson said. “But when it goes into the barrel, it really mellows out, and the barrel character comes to the forefront.”

    Another signature of Bravo is a lively malt quality that is maintained through Firestone Walker’s cold-storage of its barrel-aged beers. “It has this malt character that is surprisingly fresh,” he said. “There’s a ton of barrel character, and a lot of toffee and caramel. It has the flavor of things sweet, but without being cloying or oxidative.”

    The Upside of Downsizing

    Henceforth, all beers from Firestone Walker’s Vintage Reserve line of barrel aged beers will be bottled in the 12-ounce format, although total production of each beer remains the same.

    “We’ve been thinking about doing this for a while now,” Brynildson said. “It’s something that a lot of people have been clamoring for, and we decided to finally pull the trigger.”

    Brynildson noted that the primary benefit is the ability to enjoy a high-gravity, barrel-aged beer without committing to consuming a full 22-ounce bottle.

    “With beers like this, a 12-ounce bottle is perfect for two reasonable servings,” he said.

    He added, “The per-bottle price point becomes more palatable, and we can spread the same amount of beer farther so that more people can try it. It also makes it easier to drink one now and age another for later. It’s just a lot more flexible.”
     
    #1 rfgetz, Jan 23, 2017
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  2. NewmansOwn

    NewmansOwn Initiate (0) Jun 25, 2016 New York

     
    #2 NewmansOwn, Jan 23, 2017
    arlingtonjoe, SeanEDPBK, 1Sundown2C and 2 others like this.
  3. Dando274

    Dando274 Initiate (0) Jan 12, 2016 Pennsylvania

    I love it. 12oz is a dramatically better serving size than a bomber for these high abv beers.
     
    #3 Dando274, Jan 23, 2017
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  4. KBlodorn

    KBlodorn Pundit (920) Oct 3, 2014 Ohio
    Trader

    Bravo to FW (pardon the pun), but this is awesome news. With not many friends that share the same enthusiasm for craft beer as me, I find myself sitting on bombers for extended periods of time, as I don't want to drink that much at once. With 12 oz. bottles, though, I'll have no problem with that. Love the transition!
     
    #4 KBlodorn, Jan 23, 2017
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  5. NewmansOwn

    NewmansOwn Initiate (0) Jun 25, 2016 New York

    So NYC will now get 12 bottles instead of 6 right?
     
    #5 NewmansOwn, Jan 23, 2017
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  6. Patches826

    Patches826 Pooh-Bah (2,479) Aug 28, 2013 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    That's a weird quote to include. Even at high ABV, who the hell drinks 6oz of beer at a time?
     
    #6 Patches826, Jan 23, 2017
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  7. Harrison8

    Harrison8 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,285) Dec 6, 2015 Missouri
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Actually, you'll get 11 :wink:
     
    #7 Harrison8, Jan 23, 2017
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  8. gclaw4444

    gclaw4444 Zealot (590) Jul 30, 2015 Massachusetts
    Trader

    Do people really have a problem drinking a bomber of beer? While the smaller format might be nice to have one now and cellar another, i feel like a lot of stores will put a 1pp limit on them.
    Also i actually enjoy having a bombers worth of these beers to share with friends or have myself. I cant really share a 12oz bottle aside from pouring myself a glass and passing it around to some friends to have a sip. Getting 2 12oz bottles is also more expensive than the bomber typically is in my area ($18? if i remember) so overall i guess i prefer the bomber format.

    On a side note, are there any other 12oz beers that come in single boxes like this? It seems like a strange move to change the format but keep the packaging.
     
    #8 gclaw4444, Jan 23, 2017
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  9. raynmoon

    raynmoon Initiate (0) Aug 13, 2011 Colorado

    To the people complaining about the price per ounce: Under this format, a bomber would be $18.26. Which is not too far off from what people were paying last year for the 22oz.

    With the old price per ounce, the 12oz would cost $9.27.

    Stop bitching, basically.
     
    #9 raynmoon, Jan 23, 2017
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  10. Wasatch

    Wasatch Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,050) Jun 8, 2005 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Will be on the lookout for it.

    Cheers!
     
    #10 Wasatch, Jan 23, 2017
  11. CJNAPS

    CJNAPS Pooh-Bah (2,492) Nov 3, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Really looking forward to this one, never had Bravo.
     
    #11 CJNAPS, Jan 23, 2017
  12. gclaw4444

    gclaw4444 Zealot (590) Jul 30, 2015 Massachusetts
    Trader

    Was this directed at me? Sorry if i'm "bitching", I was just saying how i feel about the format change, though i'm sure that can come off as too negative and thus "bitching". I'm also not complaining about price per ounce, it's more that if I want 2 glasses of this beer it's going to cost me $2 more than it usually would, if I can even get 2 bottles.
     
    #12 gclaw4444, Jan 23, 2017
  13. raynmoon

    raynmoon Initiate (0) Aug 13, 2011 Colorado

    No, this wasn't directed at anyone one person in general, but just for those who are upset about the price being 74 cents more than "it should." But I see what you mean about the having to buy two.
     
    #13 raynmoon, Jan 24, 2017
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  14. BWood

    BWood Initiate (0) Jan 4, 2015 California

    Not a fan. To me a 22oz is the perfect size. FW beers are 12-14%. That's not ridiculously high compared to the Bruery who regularly puts 16-20% beers in 750s. If they keep the price per ounce the same I will not mind that much. But I have a feeling there will be a increase eventually. More glass bought. More labels produced. More space taken for shipping. I have to say I am a little disheartened by this. A bomber fills the glass twice. So you get to taste the beer in several different stages (cold-warm). Just my personal opinion.
     
    #14 BWood, Jan 24, 2017
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  15. readyski

    readyski Pooh-Bah (1,557) Jun 4, 2005 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I say get rid of the box and put this bad boy in four packs. I would definitely pay $40 for that :grinning:
     
    #15 readyski, Jan 24, 2017
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  16. KBlodorn

    KBlodorn Pundit (920) Oct 3, 2014 Ohio
    Trader

    Completely agree
     
    #16 KBlodorn, Jan 24, 2017
  17. beernuts

    beernuts Initiate (0) Jan 23, 2014 Virginia

    Yes, for a lot of people 22 oz of 10-15% abv beer is too much for most occasions. I'm sure I can do it, but I would almost never want to. Besides the alcohol, with such a rich flavor I've usually had more than enough after 6-8 oz.
     
    #17 beernuts, Jan 24, 2017
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  18. Wasatch

    Wasatch Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,050) Jun 8, 2005 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I should have said something probably sooner, but bombers are very nice, 750ml are the way to go though. For me, pretty easy to drink, been doing it for years. Also like 12 oz. brew's, all high ABV.:slight_smile:

    Cheers!
     
    #18 Wasatch, Jan 24, 2017
  19. ebin6

    ebin6 Initiate (0) Jun 11, 2009 California

    I'd imagine they're referring to the standard drink servings. A bomber of that stuff is like 5.5 standard drinks. This is much more reasonable.

    I, for one, will be much more likely to pick one up now. Bombers of this type of beer, in my opinion, are way too much to solo. Also, since the price point is essentially the same, it's a good value compared to many other barrel-aged beers.
     
    #19 ebin6, Jan 24, 2017
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  20. Abstractual

    Abstractual Initiate (0) Mar 6, 2015 New York

    Pour 6oz at a time and allow the beer some space to breathe, 12oz of a beer like this is easily good for a couple hours of drinking.
     
    #20 Abstractual, Jan 24, 2017
    ebin6 likes this.
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