Firestone Walker, wow.

Just brought a Wookey Jack back from CA and can't wait to try it.

 

DBA is one of the few FW's I simply can't get down. I like nothing about it. I've had a bomber my friend brought over a couple of months ago that I've been trying to get someone who doesn't know any better to drink. I don't like throwing out beer unless it was that Costco kirkland drek...

But the vast majority of FW is awesome. Parabola, Velvet Merlin, Union and DBL Jack, Sucuba, Abacus, etc...

 

Imbibe. I saw that when I was there for work and Almost punched the glass. What a ripoff.

 

My only advice is to try drinking it warm, like around 60 F. The first time I go. it, I didn't like it either. Later, I found a bottle sitting out and drank it at close to room temp. It was much better. I really like the beer now, and don't drink it straight outta the fridge.

 

Had a chat with the FW rep at their tasting about it. He didn't appear to be all that thrilled about it, but said they can't control the price at the retailer. They miraculously came up with a full row of 2011 release just in time for the tasting too...at an ultra affordable $59.

 

I wonder if people are actually paying that? Firestone keeps lots of vintage bottles for events like this, and for inside their taproom restaurants, but 59 dollars is almost as bad as 29 for this years vintage. It seemed like a decent selection, but some of beers are out of their distribution area so I am not sure how they get it, and some of the stuff was pushing the 6 month mark too.

 

A recent bottle of the 15th Anniversary Ale was possibly the best and most complex beer I have ever had. I balked slightly at the $25 price tag..looking back it was worth every penny.

 

Regarding aging, is it true that you have to age firestone at 44f or below? I age everything at cellar temp (~60f). Should I switch the firestones to the fridge? Are there any other breweries that need similar treatment?

 

I store everything cool, my beer fridge is set to 50, and if I want it colder I pop it in the Fridge. I think dark and cool at 50-60 is probably about right. I believe I read cellar temps are considered around 55 or so.

 

I've never cellared anything at that temp & I also never heard that about the FW ageing temp...then again I only aged mine about 4 days until I buckled under the pressure and opened it lol

 

Drinking my first union jack. A damn good IPA at over two months old.

 

if you're really "aging" it, as in trying to get it to change with time, you want it at cellar temperature. a lot of people (e.g. me) think parabola / abacus get worse with time. this is just our opinion though.

(non-advisability of aging at fridge temps isn't opinion though; it slows down the aging process, so it's difficult to see what the point is)

 

I'm in SE VA this weekend and I know FW is available. Anything in particular I should look for? Any seasonals out?

 

Parabola is a exceptional BA Imperial Stout and is out now. Wookey Jack was also released recently and it's a very tasty Black Rye IPA. Double Jack, a DIPA, is fantastic and is fairly easy to find. The distribution of FW releases varies depending on the area of the country. We still have yet to see Parabola or Wookey Jack here in Chicago.

 

at 5.5% ABV, it's not a "session beer" even by beeradvocate's comparatively high limit of 5.0%

 

VA only gets the "reserve" series, ie, bombers/specials. '12 Parabola and Wookey Jack hasn't hit VA yet.
you might still be able to find some Sucaba on a shelf in a low traffic store.
the anniversary brews won't hit till November or so.

 

i'm fortunate enough to drive by the Firestone Walker brewery every so often. fresh pale ale and union jack on tap are right up there with the best (and I've had most all of 'em) hoppy offerings out there.

 

I still have not had their year round offerings! I have Parabola, Abacus, Sucaba, Anniversary 10-15, Double Jack and Union Jack. One day I will get to try the regulars.

 

Ive seen a bunch of 15th anniversaries on the shelf near me for like 23 bucks. I already have one is it really good to the point where I should get more? I'm thinking I'm gonna just get more Parabola.