§ucaba (Abacus) - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

abfraser

California

5/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Update: Have been fortunate enough to have this many times in Feb/Mar of 2009 and am upgrading my score a perfect 5, the only beer I have ever given such a rating. Just an unbelievably amazing beer. This is the benchmark for all barrel-aged stouts/barleywines. I'm not going to add anything to my previous review. I think my 5 rating speaks for itself.

Old review: Going to review this one off memory from a little over a week ago, so not going to be able to do as intricate a review. General principles still hold. Had at City Beer Store in SF during their Barrel Aged Week

A: Poured black, off-white head a finger or two deep

S: Smoked malt, vanilla bourbony goodness, brown sugar

T: Wow. Creamy alcohol, caramel, vanilla oak. So damn smooth and rich.

M: About as good as it gets. Mouth-filling and complex

D: Unbelievably drinkable for a "barleywine". So damn smooth and delicious.

A different type of barleywine than the sugary high alcohol set (although this one ain't no session beer). Just an awesome beer. Would drink it every night if I could.

Serving type: on-tap

08-29-2008 06:07:35 | More by abfraser

JoeySchlitz

California

5/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A re-review almost a year later - was again on tap at CBS (3/09) and again delicious.

Had on tap at City Beer Store in SF following the barrel-aged week and was really surprised to see it still available today.

A: Mahogany brown with a medium to light head. Very little if any lacing.

S: Sweet, malty with a bit of smokiness and brandy (delicious). Hopp undertones but well balanced.

T: Fantastic and completely agree with an earlier review - as it warms up the real flavors surface (carmel, toffee, butterscotch, etc.). There is a slight hoppy finish at the end although crisp - no lingering bitterness.

M: Chewy (although a bit overused as a descriptor - this term definitely applies) great mouthfeel. The kind of beverage that you want to linger in your mouth for a bit to pick up all the flavors.

D: Unbelievably drinkable for the high abv - and can definitely sneak up on you making the following day's work pretty much useless. Like a well-polished brandy or whisky this one goes down quite easily and brings a smile to your face.

This is definitely one of the best barleywines that I have had and look forward to future availability. Firestone (although seemingly focused on pale ales based on their website) needs to either bottle this or produce/distribute more of this and the Parabola. They're definitely on to something here.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2009 06:18:23 | More by JoeySchlitz

Tawnos

Washington

5/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is labeled (here) as an American Barleywine, but really reminds me more of an English one. Since they used a British yeast, I will be rating this as if it were English.

A: Quickly dissipating head with almost no lace. Large bubbles that make loud popping as they disappear. Swirling in glass causes a brown coating on the wall, indicating high sugar.
Cola brown with reddish highlights

S: This beer hits you fast with the sweet smell of overripe pineapple and perfectly ripe coconut (almost a pina colada), hints of chocolate and a slight sweet-sherry smell follow.
The malty smell is reminiscent of sweet dark rye bread. Very small butterscotch upon opening hints at diacetyl, but that quickly fades.

T: Sweet toasted malt gives way to a chocolate and bourbon palette with. There's no hop bite, the bitterness is slightly subdued behind the sweet chewy toffee. Slightly alcoholic, but not too much. It leaves a coffeelike aftertaste going down, which turns to coconut.

M: It's creamy and delicious and not too hot or biting on the tongue. The balance is perfect.

I would drink this again and again, though probably only one a night if I want to wake up the next day. It is truly a world class beer, one of the few 5.0s to a style I have seen. Judged as an English Barleywine, I cannot find a flaw.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2011 03:43:10 | More by Tawnos

Impfan

Washington

5/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Incredible barleywine with beautiful dark chocolate, cognac, pitted fruit and unpitted fruit skins, tobacco, leather, subtle bourbon (well integrated) cardamom, clove, and surprisingly dryish in the remarkably lengthy finish. Impeccable balance from sniff to aftertaste. Simply one of the most amazingly sophisticated barleywines I've ever tasted. In another six months when the heat has subsided, this will be a true masterpiece. Edit: After only a few days resting, the heat has almost totally vanished, the carbonation is softer, and the flavors are already more married. Kudos, Firestone!

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2011 23:16:28 | More by Impfan

zoolzoo

Connecticut

5/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: "Dirt brown", maybe a half finger head which quickly dissipates. Not much activity. I guess I didn't expect much anyway.

S: Bourbon, anise, cherry, tobacco. The alcohol is there but well integrated.

T: Vanilla bean ice cream, bourbon, drizzled with chocolate. Sweet as hell, but cloying? Is an ice cream sundae "cloying"? No, its just awesome. No medicinal qualities, even in the impressions of cherry as the glass warms. Nice woody undertones, and a FAINT hop bitterness compliment. Not over hopped, thankfully. Alcohol presence is complimenting, not really "boozy".

M: Enough carbonation to support and enhance drinkability. Body is velvety and smooth. Drinkability is right on, this is going down too fast @ 13%.

O: Overall, this is what a Barley Wine should taste like in my opinion. World Class!

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2011 22:28:17 | More by zoolzoo

Stunner97

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Appearnce- dark brown to to dark amber/red/brown, light thin tan head quickly fades away to only the rim of the glass, almost no carbonation what so ever

Smell- tons of vanilla, oak, sweet malts, just such and appeasing appetizing nose can really pull a ton of oak,

Taste- wow just so delicious and so balance, nice faint hops provide a balance at the end with little gentle kiss of alcohol, notes of chocolate and vanilla just so delicious delectable balanced

Mouthfeel- so surprisingly light and smooth makes it go down so easy

Overall/Drinkability- this is overall probably one of the best beers I have had in an extremely long time, its just so incredible balanced even with out any age, the oak has been masterfully integrated into a delicious and smooth ale of high abv. but amazingly drinkable, well worth seeking out I find this to be a master piece, as well as this is rated i find it underrated, seek it and horde it good stuff, almost reviewed this just under perfect but said to myself for the style how could this be better my answer was it couldnt be , this is perfect if not best beer i have ever had in my top 5 and certainly the best of they style, incredible, this beer made me forget the world around me and smile when something can do that its brilliance : )

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2012 05:14:33 | More by Stunner97

sitarist

Ohio

5/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Blind review, via the blind bif round 7. Bottles 4a. & 4b. are bombers that say "share."

4a... Pours a deep, rich ruby color. Very little light gets through. A hard pour yields a few bubbles that retreat to a thin ring which leave a few spots of lacing.(4.5)

It has a pleasant sweet aroma. Caramel, toffee, vanilla, dates, as it warms I get some bourbon. Nice balance, not too sweet, alcohol is prominent yet in check. Dare I say that it is sophisticated? (5.0)

The bourbon carries over well. It has wonderful balance in the flavor department as well. Toffee, & whiskey (cognac) lead the way, vanilla, & caramel finish. (5.0)

Nice thick body, next to no carbonation, a bit sticky. Its body is perfectly paired to its flavors.(5.0)

It goes down easy for such a "big beer.". If I had one beer to drink for the rest of my life; it would be this one!(10.0)

4b. Pours root-beer brown, not much light passes through. 1/8" of tan head retreats quickly to a faint ring. Spots of lacing slide back in to the drink.(4.0)

It has a big, complex aroma. I smell whiskey / bourbon, tobacco, cherries soaked in vodka, caramel... Its not about any one component, it is the overall aroma that make this a winner.(5.0)

Taste like an adult beverage to me! The first sip tells me that there is a common denominator between this and 4a. Less booze, and more fruit, though it is still quite boozy.Tobacco is an added element as well. Its flavors do not seem to be as married, no complaints though...good to the last drop.(4.75)

Full bodied with a hint of carbonation, slightly bitter, warm, dry finish.(4.5)

This is a wonderful beer as well; too bad it had to go up against 4a.(4.75)

Im guessing that these are both English style Barleywines, same brand different vintages.

4a. = 2012 SUCABA.
4b. = 2011 ABACUS.

I was fucking floored with the reveal. Not only due to how buzzed that Buzzard and I were becoming, but also getting to share this great beer with a non b.a. At times I think he enjoyed this more than I did. He was more amazed than me with the depth, and complexity of these two beers. It didnt mater to him if he was drinking 4a, 4b. or AbacussucabA.

Kind of weird, I would have guessed that 4a. had more age than 4b.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 00:03:28 | More by sitarist

Brandywine

Washington

5/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Deep crimson with barley a fingers worth of a tan head that dissipated almost immediately. Tons of alcohol legs. lots of lacing around the rim of the glass.

Smell: Bourbon, caramel, toffee, burnt brown sugar, rum soaked fruits, cherry, charred oak, sweet malt, vanilla, fruity esters, plum, fig.

Taste: Huge bourbon and vanilla notes, middle of the mouth fills with caramel and toffee, rum soaked fruit adds depth to the toffee and caramel notes, raspberry. Tip of the tongue has subtle toasted coconut overlaid with bourbon. End of the tongue has a nice tannic dryness that clears the palate from the initial and middle sweetness. Milk chocolate appears at the end as the beer warms.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with moderate carbonation. Viscous and sweet without being cloying.

Overall: A massively complex beer. Huge dark fruit notes covered in bourbon and sweet toffee. Just enough carbonation and tannins to clear the palate and make you want to come back for more. Expertly balanced between huge sweet notes and strong bourbon and heat but it remains extremely smooth even as it warms.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 09:23:15 | More by Brandywine

Veazus

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2013 25oz...I own multiple bottles for aging, but I find myself caving and opening a bottle whenever a friend questions barleywines or cites KBS as the best barrel-aged; this beer is far superior to most bourbon aged beers...the craftsmanship is ridiculous.

A - pours a ruby red; as you pour you can see the medium to thick body. A 1/4 inch head with perfect carbonation.

S - boozy with vanilla, with a yeast undertone throughout...the sweetness is apparent as well.

T - the booze is upfront, not pushy but not secondary. Vanilla hits immediately after the bourbon, followed by some dark fruit, with a constant sweetbread undertone. The bourbon lasts and is the first to the party and the last to leave; inhabiting the chest as it goes down and exiting the nose as a bourbon vapor should.

M - thicker than medium, but won't choke you. Perfect carbonation...slight fizz to the swallow; much more carbonation than people are citing.

Overall - its a 5. I dont feel this way lightly. Many beers are so close to great, but not quite there. The presentation begins the experience: the box packaging, the bottle size (12oz would be entirely too small), the label, and the ruby-red color...all build a respectful anticipation. Like awaiting a world series game 7.

Once you begin to taste the beer you fully realize the skill in creating this old ale. It's layered perfectly, begging for a drinker to revisit and pick out it's characteristics...Sucaba begs you to share, showing people what passion and craftsmanship, when married, will produce.

This beer is exquisite.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 07:30:46 | More by Veazus

Thehuntmaster

South Africa

4.98/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

650ml bottle, 13,0% Abv.
Served chilled in an over sized wine glass.
2011, No. 001

Thanks to pittsburghkid66 for hooking me up with this bottle.

Appearance: Beautiful pour, thick mahogany brown body with stunning deep ruby highlights when held to the light. A small cream coloured head forms slowly; retention and lacing are average, but that is expected from a barrel aged beer of 13%. A light swirl yields stunning alcohol legs - it would seem the bourbon has even had an impact on the appearance.

Smell: Good lord, I knew this was going to be a good beer, but I had no idea it would smell this delicious! It is just so rich and complex - basically it is perfect!
Sweet caramel, toffee, maple syrup, butterscotch, quality bourbon, lots of oak, sweet vanilla, a stunning array of sweet fruits including cherries, plums, figs and golden raisins, toasted coconut and a light nuttiness are all present. Alcohol is noted, but it has a quality bourbon feel and fits perfectly with the rest of the nose.
The combination of sweet caramel, bourbon and vanilla is to die for!

Taste: I do not think there exist enough adjectives to describe just how good this beer tastes! The nose seemed perfect, but the taste just seems to be that little bit better.
Again sweet caramel, toffee, butterscotch, vanilla, bourbon, oak and sweet dark fruits are dominant. Alcohol is noted through a lovely warming at the back of the throat and all the way down to the stomach. The finish has a moderate bitterness that helps to keep the sweetness in check.

Mouthfeel: Again pretty much perfect! Full, chewy body with super smooth, mild carbonation. I just seem to be continually reaching for the glass to take another sip.

Overall: An absolutely stunning beer, one of my all time favorites. I will have to make a concerted effort to get a whole lot more of this!

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2012 12:20:03 | More by Thehuntmaster

PatrickSwayze

California

4.98/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2011 Bottle

A: Pours a beatiful dark burnt caramel that had a fantastic head on it.

S: The complexity defintely starts on the nose lending outrageous bourbon and vanilla bean characteristics with subtle hints of the oak at the end.

T: For a fresh bottle of this beer, i was astounded by the low heat as well as the ridiculous complexity and craftsmenship that went into creating this beast of a brew. Super silky smooth with bellowing vanilla, caramel, and oak joyfullness in every sip that is complemented by a strikingly subtle bourbon character.

M: This beer does it correctly by not killing off the flavors with overwhelming sweetness like so many big beers do. It maintains a reletively dry presence which allows for the participants to actually enjoy the flavors presented.

O: Wow this is one beer that takes the stage and does not dissapoint. Beautiful on every level, i could only imagine how this masterpiece ages. If you find a bottle, do not hesitate to buy and enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 18:02:12 | More by PatrickSwayze

C13

Illinois

4.98/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This beer blew my mind! It is definitely one of the best beers I've had the pleasure of sharing with a friend.

A: Very deep brown with hints of red. Virtually no head.

S: After my first sniff, I knew this beer was going to be great. I smelled a lot of vanilla and oak up front and the malts came through nicely. There was also a hit of fruit. The kick of bourbon gave my nose a tingle...of excitement.

T: AMAZING! It was "hot", but I really enjoyed that sensation on my first sip when I got the blast of bourbon. It had a sweet, fruity, vanilla flavor with some chocolaty malts. Did I mention bourbon?

M: Smooth...incredibly smooth even without age. Great finish.

O: Hands down the best barley wine I've had. I loved it and I would be surprised if you don't. I have one sleeping in the box, in my basement, taking a long nap until I wake her up in a year or so. I cannot wait to see how she develops.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2012 00:42:19 | More by C13

dcloeren

Texas

4.98/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours a transparent mahogany with hints of ruby mixed through out. Produces a finger of cinnamon cream colored head that quickly dissipates to a thin ring.

The aroma is absolute HEAVEN! Luscious bourbon notes dominate the aroma, ever so smoothly, with an amazing background dark fruits, caramel, big toffee notes, vanilla and oak.

The taste follows the nose to the T. The smoothness of the bourbon is top notch. Toffee, vanilla and oak dominate the rest of my palate and I'm just begging for more with each sip.

Full bodied with medium to high carb (the absolute perfect amount for this beer). Definitely some heat, which I think is an asset to this beer and finishes with a sweet burn.

Overall this is a top notch BBBW! I am convinced that this is as close to King Henry as you can get without drinking it. I have a few bottles left and plan on seeking out somemore!

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2012 01:28:54 | More by dcloeren

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.98/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

22 oz boxed bottle poured into a snifter.
12.5% ABV, 27°P O.G., 42 IBUs, 3000 Cases, 4.7°P F.G., 36 SRM, 2012, No. 002, Bottled on: [Missing].

Major thanks to Thorpe429 for this beer!

A - Strong alcohol keeps the light khaki head from sticking around long but it leaves light clingy lace on the glass. Deep chestnut mahogany brown in color, §ucaba pours very clear.

S - Deep, rich maltiness floods the aroma with sweet caramel cube, milk chocolate, and toasted bread. Very mellow, smooth, but warm alcohol blends with complex undertones of dark fruit esters; raisin and fig. Earthy hops provide a nice balance through the finish.

T - Malt heavy, the sweet caramel blends perfectly with the chocolate flavor for a mouth-watering treat! Fruit esters remain in play as the soothing alcohol finishes out.

M - Soft as velvet, this smooth-drinking barleywine has an exceptional feel that is malt-heavy but still balanced and finishes with a warming, mellow alcohol presence that seems faint for how strong it really is.

O - Deep, complex, and balanced superbly, this barleywine showcases the wonderful malt and warm alcohol attributes without ever pushing the limits. §ucaba is world-class.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 22:23:59 | More by BeerFMAndy

sentomaster

Connecticut

4.98/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2012 release poured into Stone IRS snifter.

A- pours into the glass a beautiful deep garnett and gives off an almost wine like appearance until the carbonation kicks in . Semi opaque; holding it up to a bright light reveals some bright ruby highlights playing amongst the vinaceous shadows. A modicum of soft bubbles create a modest 1-2 finger head which quickly dies and leaves patches of sticky lace. Fantastic.

S- Wowzers. No one does barrels like FW. So smooth and complex. Beautifully mellowed bourbony vanilla notes mix with a slightly sweet caramel and a fantastic berry like vinous aroma. Lesser notes of port, tart cherry, licorice, toast, and chocolate.

T/M- Smooth and complex doesn't even begin to describe how sublimely perfect this beer is. Big smack of bourbony vanilla, oak, and toasted sweet bread- especially as it warms. Follows almost lockstep with the nose- light fruit flavors of tart and sweet cherry, pineapple, apple and vinous twang that imparts some dark fruit as well. A rich and decadent sweet dark chocolate flavor also mixes with a slight nuttiness. The flavors seem to intermingle endlessly; new flavors emerging with each sip. As it warms the alcohol makes itself known with a light pepperiness and play nicely with the ever-so-slight tannic astringency.

O- I believe FW adds wine barrels to many of their BA lineup and I think they are what adds another level of complexity that absolutely blows my mind. With a year on it this beer is unbelievably awesome.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 17:39:14 | More by sentomaster

BigMcLargeHuge

Arizona

4.97/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Sampled at Toronado 2009 Barleywine Festival.
This is the second beer I've had at this event that has simply floored me with its silky rich yummy goodness. Pours deep amber to near dark brown and micro thin tan head. Wow! Another knee buckler aroma with a smooth blended mixture of wood, molasses, rich dark fruity esters and more rich molasses. The wood notes become mildly brighter upon further inspection. The taste is just amazing with some smooth bourbon flowing into deep rich dark fruity esters accented with well rounded smooth wood notes. Just a smooth beer that gets almost velvety for a while. It dries out a tad into the finish.

Serving type: on-tap

10-06-2009 22:24:38 | More by BigMcLargeHuge

msimmons32

California

4.97/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I had this on tap at Aces and Ales thanks to Destral in Henderson NV. The beer group I met there was amazing and really made me feel at home. They knew owner there and he specially brought out the left over keg of Abacus for us. This was the one of the best beers I had the privelege to tastse.

If anyone gets the chance to taste this beer I hope you enjoy this beer as much as i did.

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2010 06:38:16 | More by msimmons32

t420o

California

4.97/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A- Dark red-brown. Little head is produced from a fairly aggressive pour. Very enticing. Held up to the light there are hints of ruby red

S- Vanilla, sweet syrupy bourbon, sherry, coconut, dark fruits , caramel, and candied sugar. Superb smelling

T- Wow!!! This is even more amazing than I ever thought. Taste follows the nose. Vanilla, sweet bourbon, dark fruits, candided sugar, coconut. I wish I could describe the wave of flavors that I am experiencing. It is a beautiful beer. Not a hint of alcohol which is amazing as well, just a slight warmth that is very welcomed. Easily a 5. Nothing can be improved on this.

M- Low carbonation from the barrel aging which produces a creamy mouthfeel. Viscosity of it is nice also. Great

O- One of the top beers I have ever had. Amazing beer worth the hype and praise. Also worthy of its price. Have four stored away for aging and special occasions that I am looking very forward to. Cheers

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2011 20:05:10 | More by t420o

Yby1acb

Nevada

4.97/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Dark with some red/copper highlights and a light, cream-colored head.

Oak, roasted malt, vanilla hints and choco, and the classic Firestone Oak presence comes through.

I get some caramel/toffee taste as well as subtle oak/wood flavors in the finish. Some chocolate and hints of vanilla. A bit of bourbon and the "Abacus Brownie" served with it was different but nice pairing. Nice touch TapRoom!!!

Nice and chewy well balanced and round.

This beer keeps getting better with age. Very complex, very impressed!!!

Serving type: on-tap

06-02-2011 06:17:40 | More by Yby1acb

jayhawk73

Maryland

4.97/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Bottle generously given and shared by Huhzubendah. Thanks Matt!

Pours a brilliant brown w/ orange highlights and a sliver of a chocolate head. Very little carbonation or lacing, which is expected at a 13% ABV beer. Excellent for the style. Very port-like in appearance. Nose is nothing short of amazing! Malt, chocolate, toffee, some faint fruit, and very mild alcohol smell, oak. bourbon. There's no way the nose gets any better than it is. Wow. Taste is very similar profile. Unbelievable! It's so smooth and drinkable I can't believe it's a 13% beer. Alcohol is almost completely masked in the taste. This is truly one of the best beers I've ever had the privilege of tasting. If you have the opportunity to try this, RUN, don't walk, and pick up as much as you can fit in your car. Undoubtedly a world class beer, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to try it. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2011 01:37:51 | More by jayhawk73

mullenpc

North Carolina

4.97/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2011 Vintage

Bottle served in a Stone 15th Anniversary glass. Thanks to SpdKilz for the bottle!

Appearance -- Beautiful dark brown transitions to a dark ruby red at the edge of the glass when held up to the light. Head is very persistent at about half a finger and a creamy, buttermilk color.

Smell -- Incredible. Very, very happy that this was my 23rd birthday beer. Initially I get a very vanilla-based sweetness that is quickly surrounded by the barrel notes, most notably the toasted coconut and bourbon sweetness that you expect from good barrels.

Taste -- I love bourbon barrel aged beers and I knew this would be top-notch. This beer is so smooth that it is almost impossible to pick out specific taste characteristics. Initially I taste the sweetness of the bourbon barrels and the vanilla and oak that it imparts on the beer, followed by toffee/caramel sweetness. Little bit of toasted coconut in there as well. At 13% this is easily the smoothest double-digit ABV beer I have ever had.

Mouthfeel -- Abacus is so smooth and drinkable. The carbonation is spot-on and perfect for a brew of this size.

Overall -- Abacus is basically the perfect BA Barleywine IMO. Definitely the best I have ever had. I'm very happy that I was able to try this.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2011 05:33:56 | More by mullenpc

NWer

Washington

4.97/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2011 reserve series in a brandy snifter.
Alcohol notes overwhelm the senses from the get-go. Like a fine brandy only better.
This is why I now prefer beer to other alcohol choices.
Mouthfeel and aftertaste leave a very pleasant taste and feel that makes each sip a joy to behold.
Life is good when one of these are at hand.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2011 21:46:53 | More by NWer

hagbergl

Massachusetts

4.96/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I had the pleasure of having Firestone Walker's English-style Barleywine, Sucaba, at Lord Hobo in Cambridge, MA in late-March (yes, I have quite the backlog of reviews to do...they're coming along). It was incredible, to say the least. Read on to hear just HOW good.

Appearance (5/5): Sucaba pours a very dark brown with a small off-white/light khaki head. The head doesn't stay around too long, not that I would expect that from a beer of its strength. Pretty red highlights against the light; this is a good-looking barleywine, for sure.

Smell (5/5): This barleywine has a wonderful barrel character to it: I'm getting some vanilla and bourbony-boozy notes. One of the most noticeable aromas actually is toasted coconut, which you don't get too often in a beer. It's a fantastic note that I wish showed up more often in imperial stout. You can tell that this beer is sweet but has nicely rounded edges; it's not a sticky, sickly sweet mess.

Taste (5/5): Sucaba has serious barrel aged characteristics: I'm getting bourbon, vanilla, coconut, but no serious alcohol heat. That comes on after you've already swallowed and manifests itself, rather tamely, as a warming sensation in the chest. Leather, dark chocolate. Very very malty, but not syrupy or cloyingly sweet, which is incredible. Lingering bitterness and burnt sugar flavors finish this baby off. Incredible complexity. The best tasting barleywine that I have ever had.

Mouthfeel (5/5): Sucaba is smoothness incarnate. Not a jagged edge on this beer to be found, and it's disturbingly easy to drink–but DON'T drink this one quickly...let it warm and savor the changing character as the beer creeps toward room temperature. The body is appropriately full and the carbonation level is right where it should be–low, that is. This beer has the velvet touch. It's not aggressive even though it packs a ton of flavor.

Overall (5/5): Absolutely outstanding. Easily one of the best beers in the style. Take this one slow and appreciate true craftsmanship.

Serving type: on-tap

05-07-2013 20:36:46 | More by hagbergl

emsoud726

Ohio

4.93/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I would love to say that this was a "got" but it basically only sat in my "beer fridge" long enough to cool down after a long summer's drive home. Enough idyllic sounding stuff, how about a review?

Poured this into a nice tulip and gave it a chance to sit. Pours a nice ruby/caramel color. Pretty much a standard look for a Barleywine.

Definite Bourbon in the nose (as is to be expected from a Barrel-aged barleywine). Tiny hint of alcohol but, once again, Bourbon barrels...no shock here. Wood, candy sugars, maybe a bit of vanilla.

Mouthfeel? Nothing overwhelming.

Taste is where this brew absolutely kills. Balance like nothing else - something I've come to almost EXPECT from Firestone Walker. Just when you think you might get overwhelmed by sweetness, the Bourbon kicks in and manages to mellow out in seconds.

All pretentious beer reviewing aside, here's my plain old opinion: I go with barelywines in the fall almost as a rule just because of the intense alcohol and full bodied flavor. I'm almost afraid of when the 13% catches up to me because frankly I don't taste it. This is just a fantastic brew hands down. Highly recommended to even those who aren't into the "bourbon aging" or "barleywine" scene.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2011 02:20:39 | More by emsoud726

NickRivers

California

4.93/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A&S - Pours a unique brownish ruby, with a bubbly thin tan head that pleasantly sits on top. Smells of dark malt, alcohol, woodiness, dark cherry, little raisin, nice vanilla, toffee, as well as a few spices.

T&M - Hits super sweet, and immediately you get that dark fruit, cherry vanilla flavor that builds to a wonderful woody alcohol burn that forms this amazing mouthgasm. Very nice alcohol burn and pretty heavy body. After taste is smokey, a little chocolate and toffee, but mostly that bourbon flavor which seems a little too much after a while.

O - Definitely a amazing sipper. Im not a Hard Liquor guy, but if I ever was, this would be my go to beer. I'm gonna cellar one of these as well, however I don't think i'll make it till then. Get you hands on one of these! They're amazing. Top 5 beer for sure! Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 04:41:58 | More by NickRivers