Firestone Walker XVI

Interesting to see Wookey thrown into the mix . Will be interesting to see how pnc contributes to this one.

 

I'm really glad to see Wookey in the mix. Last year they used about the same amount of Double Jack. I can only imagine that Wookey will have went way better with the blend.

 

Also I have a quick question. Does anyone know if they blend it and then age it in barrels together or if it is just blended a bottled.

 

It is all blended separately. The barrel aging process goes something like this- in general brewers come up with a base beer, then barrel age part of it. Then they blend the barrel aged portion back with the base beer to come up with the final product ( otherwise the beer would be way too strong). So this process has already been completed with every component of the XIV except Wookey jack, and they just blend the components as is.

 

At $23.99 suggested retail this is the end of the road for me with regard to Firestone Walker Anniversary beers.
Sucks as I really enjoyed 14 & 15 but I just can't justify the cost of a Bourbon County 4-pack for one single Bomber of XVI.

 

I went on the FW13 tour @ release with Matt B and he said it was all barrel blending.

 

Hey There,

Just curious where you found the retail price? I was wondering what it would go for this year.

 

What was the suggested retail price of XIV and XV? I'm guessing close to the same. Standard pricing on both XIV and XV tended to vary between $22-$26, though deals could be had at well priced stores for $18-$20.

I found this from 13: http://thefullpint.com/events/firestone-walker-brewing-announces-release-of-13-anniversary-ale/

Which was $21.99. So +$2 over 3 years isn't all that much increase. It's just always been an expensive beer. And honestly, I think it is adequately priced, as it pretty much takes a year to sell out.

 

I've cut down immensely on craft spending lately, but I haven't EVER been dissapointed by any of the beers that FW puts out, so I will be making a special exception for this one... especially since this is a pretty cool and creative way to do anniversary beers.

 

I'll pick up a bottle or two. I loved XIV and XV.

 

A store near me still has XV at the reduced price of $18.99. I liked it but I honestly thought Sucaba, Parabola, and Double DBA were leagues above XV. I'm still going to try XVI though!

 

15 was the worst Anniversary beer yet (though still good) - it just didn't have enough stout in it. 16 seems to be rectifying that.

 

People are saying that XV is drinking really well now. I liked XV more than Double DBA, about the same as Parabola, but not as much as Sucaba. 100 percent barrel aged Velvet merkin/merlin is coming out this year too and I Sticky Monkey is after that so there are lots of things to look forward to from FW.

 

http://beerpulse.com/2012/10/firest...-passes-1500-xvi-release-coming-this-weekend/

 

I agree it's well-priced to make it move more slowly but it's also just getting to be too expensive year after year for me personally.

 

XV was good but I was expecting a bit more for the price and like I said Sucaba and the rest delivered so I'm in no position to complain! I would love to try some of the other additions to the anniversary beer so if they release the Merkin and Monkey I would happily shell over the money!

 

When is this hitting distribution? I'm hoping it hits NJ late December.

 

They are planning to release Merkin next year. Have had it on tap and its something special for sure, can't wait for this one!

 

Wait, is it this year or next year that Merkin gets released? I saw it on their list and I've been salivating ever since.

Also, count me as one who wasn't a fan on XV at all. This blend certainly looks more appealing.