Firestone Walker Parabola 2016

Well maybe my palate wasn't off that day after all, multiple people here and irl friends noticed the weird astringent bitterness in this years batch.

 

I haven't opened up my bottles yet but when I was at FW in paco a few weeks ago, I was able to have a glass of 2015 and 2016 Parabola. I really enjoyed both, but both were very different of each other. Didn't notice any bitterness in 2016, but it was a bit more softer, less complex than 2015. 2015 almost had more of a spices/cinnamon bite to it, which I enjoyed. Here at home I have a bunch of 2014, 2015, and 2016 Parabolas. Going to for sure do a vertical eventually. You think a 3 year vertical is good enough or should I wait for 2016 (or look for a 2013)?

 

I felt this year's vintage was drier than previous years', with a little less sweetness and a little more oakiness. I thought it made it more complex, and thought it was the best of the vintages I've tried. Different strokes, I guess.

 

I will probably be opening up a bottle tonight with a couple friends. So, I will have a better understanding of it tonight. I have only tried the 2016 at the brewery. Definitely got the more oakiness and less sweet/syrupy if I recall correctly.

 

It gets better as it warms for sure. I wouldn't even open it until it's been sitting out of the fridge for at least a half hour then drink slowly over the next couple hours. It tastes best at straight room temp. I'm hoping this vintage is a beer that really improves with age. I have 8 more bottles and will be drinking one every six months until they're gone.

 

I'd say at least one a year for 3-4 years each year and put together one of the best verticals you can put together

 

I had the complete vertical until last week when I traded my last 2010 for a BT Reserve. They are all drinking good, even the '10 as of 6 months ago is tasting great. The '16 is my least favorite out of the whole series.

 

I just had two bottles of the 16 and was expecting it to be stellar, it was not as good as the 15. I went into Mesa Liquor in SB looking for Sucaba and was surprised to see the Parabolas lined up by the register. My favorite last year was the Helldorado.

 

Sacramento and the area got their shipment today and most places sold out within the first hour. All the bevmos were wiped clean. Might be a few on the outskirts that are hiding some. The total wines have a 1 bottle limit. So, you might be in luck going to one of the sac area ones. I think I got my stash and my hunt is over for the season.

 

Finally landed in Sacramento today. Picked up 5 bottles. Probably grab a few more tomorrow. Drinking the first as we speak.

 

I am sure you will be able to find some tomorrow, but not at the big stores like Bevmo and Total Wine. The Bevmos are completely wiped out. Stopped by a few Total Wines and was able to get their 1 bottle limit at each. I have about 15 total now. So, I am good for the year. Probably won't crack more than 2 or 3 open this entire year.

 

Finally got to try Parabola the other day for the first time ever and it was a '14 vintage, it was absolutely stellar! Then i got a pleasant surprise and got hooked up with a '16! I may just age it as the '14 was so damn good...

In regards to the people saying this year's version is inferior to past ones- is that really fair? I mean the box says the beer changes every year and we all know age changes them drastically too... I understand comparing them but I do think the ba community seems to prefer stouts with a couple extra years on them (the stout fanatics at least) so don't fret guys! Put one away and reevaluate in a year or two!

 

I've had 2013, 2014 and 2015's Parabolas, and they were amazing. Cracked open a bottle of 2016 and it was still absolutely amazing. Yes, different (which is expected) but not inferior.

 

I need this to come to Mi

 

to each his own- Sucaba is an amazing beer in my experience. could never understand someone "drain pouring" this. What didn't you like about this? This is considered one of the best barrel -aged barleywines out there.

Also- Parabola is much harder to find and much more limited everywhere. I'd assume even in California. In CO I had the same experience. - I still see some Sucaba's around. Parabola typically sells out same day.

 

Its helped that they increased the case load from 3,500 to 4,000 for both of them. Parabola won't make that much of a difference though in most areas.

 

It was only my second time drinking barley wine. Way way too sweet and kind of syrupy. It tasted like doing shots of liquor which isn't a pleasant taste to me. Didn't hide the 13.5% well at all. I drink beers that are around 10% that barely have any taste of alcohol and drink really easy so theres no reason for me to ever drink something so harsh flavored. It wasn't aged at all it was a brand new bottle. I would probly like Parabola better but i'm not going to buy it.

 

Is this still around in central California? Forgive me if that's a dumb question. I have a friend in Fresno and was going to ask him to keep an eye out for me. Just noticing this thread for the first time (was inactive on the site for several months).

 

Sucuba is not only a Barleywine, but its a barrel aged barleywine... I think what you picked up wasn't necessarily the 13.5% abv, but the barrel flavors (which, admittedly are very much like drinking whiskey).

But that's just my take, and I hope that didn't come across as condescending. In my opinion, it drinks pretty smooth and the barrel characters are really nice. But to each their own and hopefully you had something to replace it that's more your style!