Firestone Walker Appreciation Thread

Since it's my "homer" brewery (albeit just under 100 miles away) I have to say Firestone Walker is my favorite brewery as well for many of the same reasons stated above. They just know how to effectively brew so many styles on the beer spectrum. Their barrel aging program is also second to none. I feel for you folks who are on the far reaches of the distribution map.

 

How's this for appreciation?

Their 2013 Parabola is my highest rated beer

 

That's the real answer, but Chicago gets a ton of FW (including Parabola/Sucaba/etc.)

 

FW is the closest thing I have to "automatic good" beyond New Glarus. I'm very happy they have good Chicago distro, and that the local Whole Foods beer buyers like them.

 

Best barrel aging program out there. If only they had better distribution

 

Well put. I have been focusing on the 6-week old Double Jack lately, because that's about as fresh as I have seen it. It's excellent for sure, but I'm sure it's even better younger than that.

 

On the FW front... Thought i read somewhere that they bought the mini-storage place next to them in Paso for expansion.. True?

 

Completely agree, Union Jack is my favorite IPA, Double Barrel Ale is great, Double Jack, Velvet Merlin and I have greatly enjoyed their barrel aged beers, especially Parabola.

 

i Love me some double jack and Parabola. Plus my favorite Barrel Aged Barleywing is Sucaba. Cheers Firestone Walker.

 

Everytime I pass through paso I always get a growler fill od unfiltered DBA, its a must try for all FW fans

 

Chicago. I also pick it up when in St. Louis.

 

Their barrel program is one of the best out there. To add, I really enjoyed Bretta Rose.

 

I've been fortunate enough to have visited a good number of breweries, but FW is still the big whale on my list. I get to LA for work a couple of times a year, but Paso is just a bit too far. Looking forward to their new facility in Venice (is it open yet?). Agree with most everyone here...FW just knocks basically everything out of the park (I was disappointed in Velvet Merkin as well).

 

As I said in the other thread, I too was a victim of seeing nothing younger than 6 months on the shelf until recently. And just today, I found Union Jack at 3 week old, at a Whole Foods. Holy smokes its so worth hunting down.

I'd suggest trying a Whole Foods; the locations by me in NYC at least have a great selection.

 

Totally read that in Gus Fring's voice.

 

FWIW- the best Union Jack and Double jack I've had has been on draught in NYC- extremely fresh and fragrant, too. Those pints opened my eyes in the same manner those fresh bottles did for you. There are precious few IPAs I'd take over them if they were available.

 

All of their barrel aged beers that I've had are world class (Parabola, Double DBA, Sucaba). Velvet Merlin is a great oatmeal stout and Pivo Pils (especially on tap) is sometimes just what the doctor ordered. Oh and you can't forget about Wookey Jack and Double Jack. Fantastic beers. My only complaint is that I wish I could find their year-rounds here a lot fresher than I do. I feel like all those are like 3 months old.

 

I feel very fortunate to not only live close enough to drive there and back in anew hours but to drop around $200 every time I go. Can't get enough of their boxed beers. On top of having great beer the staff in the brewery store are extremely friendly and helpful and have always helped me carry my purchases out to my car. My goal this year is to get there at least once a quarter and attend two of their events.

 

While the bottle shop's blog has a ton of benefits, knowing when fresh Union Jack arrives is near the top of them Love their entire year round line-up, and have loved every boxed beer I've ever had. There are a few breweries where I can't say anything bad about any beer, just that some aren't my style. Not the case with FW, and I'm having trouble thinking of any others.. maybe Sierra Nevada.