Parabola - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

JohnnyHopps

Indiana

4.4/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This beer has been on my wish list for a long time. Being a fan of Russian Imperial Stouts, this is a premium example.

Poured from the bottle into a snifter, this stout was a dark black with little if any variation in the color. As expected, virtually no head was present as a reflection of a smooth stout. The aroma was boozy with notes a vanilla and dark fruits. I must note the aroma on this one to be close to nirvana. On the initial taste, one notes the smooth mouthfeel of vanilla that is implied by the barrel aging process. The booziness jumps ahead of the pack with a warming sensation. Dark fruits, darkened malts, cocoa, grape skin also make appearances before the warming sensation takes over. The thickness allows the warmth to linger nicely. The smoothness on this beer is unbelievable.

This is a great beer for a cold winter night. I was not as blown away by the taste as I expected, but still enjoyed this one a great deal.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 16:19:28 | More by JohnnyHopps

BeerBucks

New York

4.75/5  rDev +3.3%

05-22-2013 02:58:06 | More by BeerBucks

alysmith4

District of Columbia

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-22-2013 01:40:48 | More by alysmith4

gcamparone

Rhode Island

4.53/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

2012 vintage opened a year after release. Acquired in a trade .

A- pours a deep brown opaque body with a 2 finger mocha colored head that reduces to a brown ring.

S- soft yet pungent whiskey, dark fruits, french vanilla, chocolate, butterscotch, sugar cookie.

T- Sweet vanilla and caramel, whiskey upfront. Semisweet chocolate and roasted coffee is next, dark fruits an almost grassy citrus follow through. Nice toasty, burnt malt aftertaste.

M- smooth and silky, medium heavy body.

I really enjoyed this one - lives up to the hype and really impresses. Super complex and balanced, just the right amount of bourbon and a nice roasted flavor. Awesome

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 01:12:52 | More by gcamparone

jimilayne

New York

4/5  rDev -13%

05-22-2013 00:50:23 | More by jimilayne

Justinsosmart

California

5/5  rDev +8.7%

05-21-2013 22:08:40 | More by Justinsosmart

ackeeper

Illinois

5/5  rDev +8.7%

05-21-2013 21:00:57 | More by ackeeper

PlinyBeMiney

California

4.25/5  rDev -7.6%

05-21-2013 06:55:04 | More by PlinyBeMiney

CosmoHopHead

Kansas

4.75/5  rDev +3.3%

05-21-2013 04:00:38 | More by CosmoHopHead

JandJMD

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-21-2013 03:19:41 | More by JandJMD

gkozeny

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +3.3%

05-21-2013 01:20:36 | More by gkozeny

JSBILK

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-20-2013 20:00:35 | More by JSBILK

--Dom--

Missouri

4.75/5  rDev +3.3%

05-20-2013 17:55:38 | More by --Dom--

jimmygord

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -18.5%

05-20-2013 16:29:58 | More by jimmygord

dar482

New York

4.75/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

I had this aged 2012 in keg at Brouwerij lane.

The beer comes in a pitch black with a khaki ring.

The aroma has big toffee and caramel sweetness with dark roasted notes. With some barrel wood notes. Deep rich dark raisin.

The flavor has a nuttiness with deep roasted malt. Very creamy. Vanilla. Coconut. Burnt caramel. Bitter darkest chocolate. Espresso. Definitely that oakiness from the barrels. There's a bit of that sticking sweetness. Finish lingers a bit, but not long. The beer lacks an alcohol bite. The aging must have really mellowed it out.

KBS is still my favorite barrel aged stout. However, this is one of my favorite still. Under Bourbon County Coffee, but above the regular version. So freaking smooth, wonderful barrel age character, just an amazing and delicious.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2013 05:28:22 | More by dar482

duobob

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-20-2013 05:11:13 | More by duobob

Jd2391

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +3.3%

05-20-2013 03:11:00 | More by Jd2391

Pdrufo

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +3.3%

05-20-2013 01:20:38 | More by Pdrufo

IrishKevin

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +3.3%

05-20-2013 00:22:04 | More by IrishKevin

HawkIPA

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +3.3%

05-19-2013 22:35:35 | More by HawkIPA

ShawnMH

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-19-2013 15:50:43 | More by ShawnMH

JellyJacket

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -7.6%

05-19-2013 10:33:46 | More by JellyJacket

nick_asian

Nevada

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-19-2013 06:54:38 | More by nick_asian

haknort

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-19-2013 03:27:52 | More by haknort

jakeox

Illinois

5/5  rDev +8.7%

05-19-2013 02:08:21 | More by jakeox