Parabola - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

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100
world-class
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2,369 Ratings

THE BROS
95
world-class
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rAvg: 4.6
pDev: 8.7%
Reviews: 797
Hads: 1572

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Brewed by:
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

California, United States

Style | ABV
Russian Imperial Stout | 13.00% ABV

Availability: Rotating. bottle (688), on-tap (108), growler (1).

Notes:
Russian Imperial Oatmeal Stout aged for 8 months in circa 1990's Heaven Hill bourbon barrels.

2011
OG: 29.5p [plato]
IBU: 82 [high]
Cases: 3000 produced [LTD]
Aged: 12 mo [time in barrel]
Yeast: British Ale [house]
Color: 167SRM [midnight black]

View: Beers (48) | Events (0)

Reviews

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Reviews by markmiller:

markmiller

New York

4.5/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a snifter after being allowed to warm for a bit. Very, very dark with a nice 1 finger creamy mocha head. Lovely.

Smells of oaky vanilla soaked in just a few drips of bourbon. Yet you can tell that this is a big beer. Alcohol is there in the nose as alcohol soaked raisin and sugar. Just a dusting of cocoa dusted espresso beans in there. Complex and sweet.

To me, the taste profile follows the nose in reverse. I get cocoa and alcohol at first, with fruit in the middle. This beer is strong and chewy. A hint of bourbon with the vanilla. Held in the mouth a bit brings out the warmth and oak and a little black cherry. This beer has a large amount of sweetness to it, something that I wish was mellowed out a bit. I would have liked a little more dryness to this one. After the swallow, the beautiful roastiness comes through, with slightly bitter coffee and cream. So, so good.

Mouthfeel is practically perfect. Big and chewy. Thick and viscous. Completely coats your tongue in it's gigantic flavor. Very must a slow sipper. No beer I've ever had has gone down this slow. A bomber is to share for sure.

Overall, this is a world-class RIS that is full of big huge flavors. Most of the time I find that it is overly sweet and wish it was a tad more dry. I have one to age for a while and I cannot wait to visit this one again in the future with some years in the cellar on it.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2012 02:26:59 | More by markmiller

More User Reviews:

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