§ucaba (Abacus) - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

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BA SCORE
100
world-class
-
1,837 Ratings

rAvg: 4.54
pDev: 8.37%
Reviews: 617
Hads: 1220

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Brewed by:
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

California, United States

Style | ABV
English Barleywine | 12.50% ABV

Availability: Rotating. bottle (495), on-tap (113), growler (9).

Notes:
2011 Reserve Series Bottle Notes:
O.G. 27 Plato
F.G. 4.7 Plato
I.B.U. 42 units
Yeast: British Ale (House)
Cases: 1500 produced
Color: 36SRM (Dark Ruby)

View: Beers (48) | Events (0)

Reviews

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Reviews by shuajw:

shuajw

Georgia

4.5/5 rDev -0.9%

01-10-2013 01:29:13 | More by shuajw

More User Reviews:

nick_asian

Nevada

4.75/5 rDev +4.6%

05-19-2013 07:03:38 | More by nick_asian

RichardMNixon

Delaware

4.5/5 rDev -0.9%

05-19-2013 04:09:19 | More by RichardMNixon

artoolemomo

Oregon

4.75/5 rDev +4.6%

05-19-2013 03:58:03 | More by artoolemomo

haknort

Illinois

4.5/5 rDev -0.9%

05-19-2013 03:29:27 | More by haknort

jakeox

Illinois

3.75/5 rDev -17.4%

05-19-2013 00:14:18 | More by jakeox

DIPAFAN

New Jersey

4.5/5 rDev -0.9%

05-19-2013 00:01:30 | More by DIPAFAN

brian4beer

Indiana

4.5/5 rDev -0.9%

05-18-2013 21:32:47 | More by brian4beer

Phacoman

Pennsylvania

5/5 rDev +10.1%

05-18-2013 20:59:01 | More by Phacoman

AL89BR

New Jersey

4.5/5 rDev -0.9%

05-18-2013 19:50:16 | More by AL89BR

Kreko7

California

5/5 rDev +10.1%

05-18-2013 17:26:26 | More by Kreko7

eyeenjoybeer

Indiana

4.25/5 rDev -6.4%

05-18-2013 16:47:19 | More by eyeenjoybeer

jono0101

Missouri

5/5 rDev +10.1%

05-18-2013 15:47:59 | More by jono0101

outoffocus

Pennsylvania

5/5 rDev +10.1%

05-18-2013 15:47:34 | More by outoffocus

magictacosinus

California

4.68/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

§ucaba, we meet at last... I have dreamt of this beer for eons, and indeed, finally tasting it has been a journey well waited. Poured into a tulip glass from a 22oz bottle. 2013 vintage. No bottling date, but I know this was released in February.

Pours a deep, almost purple ruby, near opaque appearance when set close to the light, and a dark, ruby-red cloudy appearance when held against the light. The initial head on this thing was marvelous, rising completely in the tulip and lasting a good 10-15 minutes before settling down. A ring aggressively persists at the top, which is great given the high ABV. Extremely viscous - maybe the most viscous barleywine I've seen to date, and that's saying a lot. Lacing coats the glass in large droplets, which is astonishing. Bubbles and slight sediment abound inside this, give this a lively, jubilant appearance in midst of the intimidating, thickened look. A work of art.

At the aroma, you get whacked in the face immediately with sweetened, stinging booze, only to follow with a variety of complex and diverse flavors. Juicy brandy notes, vanilla from the bourbon, a touch of American oak, raisins, vinous, caramelized grapes, a buttery, woody finish, and a persistant sweetness that appears to last a good long while. There's an elevated hoppy profile here, to my surprise, often feeling floral, but the sweetened, syrupy malts are the stars here, only separating themselves from the high booze and woody, bourbon/brandy combo. Not necessarily my favorite thing to sniff on (very astringent and harsh at times), but still exquisite.

However, upon taking my first sip, I'm pretty sure my heart skipped a beat. This is absolutely delicious. At first, you get an initial touch of the brandy/bourbon flavors, coated with dried figs, plums, raisins, vanilla, honey, maybe a touch of coconut, combined with well integrated tannins from the oak. Then, as soon as the initial touch of sweetness and fruity complexity passes, you get a stinging yet exciting boozy sensation, combined with syrupy, toasty malts, a little bit of citrus and grassiness, and then a finish that is enormously buttery, thick, and silky - almost to the point where this feels like it's melting right in your mouth. It could be liked to a blood orange cream sorbet, but it's far more complex than that. Simply put, the vanilla, and brandy and bourbon combo combined with the syrupy toasted malts and fruity, resinous profile is unlike anything I've had before. No alcohol burn to speak of. Sticky, dry, slightly astringent, but definitely full bodied. Absolutely hedonistic and decadent to the highest degree. It's a sipper, no doubt, but it all goes down like a charm no matter how much it warms up.

Wow!! I knew people were head over heels in love with this thing, but now after having it I see why. This transcends the barleywine style as we know it, integrating the best of brandy, bourbon, and American white oak flavors, as well as incorporating a British malty goodness with a West Coast hop grassy profile at the finish. Undeniably complex, and I'm kicking myself for not buying a bottle or two extra to see how a vintage this great would end up tasting in a year or two. Not an everyday beer, but undeniably delicious. Can't wait to try Parabola and DDBA as well, and immerse myself with FW's incredible barrel program! This is pivotal for sure. Every fan of barleywines and barrel-aged beers must check it out.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 05:58:49 | More by magictacosinus