Parabola - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

stoutfiend27

North Carolina

4.6/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

bomber received in the latest the James...you sir are unbelievable...into the duck rabbit snifter

a-thick black pour into the glass...small khaki head that hung on for dear life before fading into a beautiful lacing...bubbles cling to sides of the glass

s-rich whisky and chocolate up front..a little alcohol heat is detectable...some cocoa and fudge...wood and vanilla...wow

t-starts of sweet and rich with bourbon whisky notes...the hops make a very bold statement right after then the waves of oak and vanilla and fudge rush in...followed by some dry cocoa and chocolate...finishes bitter and the chocolate really lingers

m-not as chewy as i would have imagined from the pour and thats why i docked it...the bitterness from the hops really linger on this one...this beer does coat the mouth well...really sticky

d-docked it a bit due to the slight alcohol burn on the way down...however they do mask the 13% very well in this beer...had to much fun enjoying this to have more than one...

overall another superb offering from Firestone and big thanks to James for sending it my way...ill have another down the road hopefully

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2011 02:30:46 | More by stoutfiend27

jakeox

Illinois

5/5  rDev +8.7%

05-19-2013 02:08:21 | More by jakeox

pkalix

California

4.59/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

poured black, no head, even with a vigorous shake just to see what it'd do... nothing really special about the look of it on the front, although it is obviously pouring a little syrup-y.
smells and tastes more like a bourbon than it does a beer. over-roasted coffee flavor and aroma, vanilla; yes, the fudge i get too. very sweet, very bitter.the alcohol is there, but is part of the overall taste and blends in with the flavors. the wood from the barrels is very strong. i appreciate what they've done but i dont much allow myself to be influenced by a brew which picks up a lot of its flavor from the storage vessel. there is a myriad of flavors but i feel they are over-shadowed by strong oak barrel presence.
2nd pour yields some alcohol presence. lots of oak. the malty quality of the brew seems to pick up more of the barrel residue.
it's still a 13% brew, so i suppose i ought to review it from that perspective. maybe i really wasnt looking for a sipper tonight. still a great brew. lots of effort here....

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 01:28:53 | More by pkalix

klythjohan

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +8.7%

05-19-2013 00:19:21 | More by klythjohan

dwagner003

California

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-18-2013 18:53:20 | More by dwagner003

eyeenjoybeer

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-18-2013 16:43:54 | More by eyeenjoybeer

Mikecap

Rhode Island

5/5  rDev +8.7%

05-18-2013 16:31:54 | More by Mikecap

Texsuds

Texas

4.25/5  rDev -7.6%

05-18-2013 15:35:23 | More by Texsuds

RobDB

New Jersey

4.75/5  rDev +3.3%

05-18-2013 11:19:27 | More by RobDB

Deuane

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-18-2013 06:08:18 | More by Deuane

Roose13

New Jersey

4.98/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Bomber poured into a shaped pint glass. It's a 2013, no. 004.

A: Beautiful, thin black color. I poured it with minimal head, but about a half inch of thin head lingers throughout the entire enjoyment of this beer. Leaves a wall of bubbles

S: Sweet, dark chocolate; bourbon is also strong; coffee, vanilla and subtle cherry.

T: The bourbon is so strong in the taste, but not too strong if that makes any sense. Like, it's definitely there, but not over powering. The chocolate is also strong and sweet, dancing with the bourbon to make this a ridiculously tasty stout. A very rich beer. I get the vanilla and coffee lingering in the aftertaste as well.

M: Incredibly smooth, like liquid silk. It also lingers beautifully, leaving the entire mouth coated with all it's different flavors.

Overall: Seriously, this is one of the best effing beers I have ever had and may just be the best RIS I've ever enjoyed. I paid $15 for this and would easily drop $20 it's so freakin' good. Sipped it slow and made it last like a fine bourbon.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 03:36:37 | More by Roose13

Netdogca

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +3.3%

05-18-2013 03:14:22 | More by Netdogca

TheLevi4000

New York

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-18-2013 01:33:43 | More by TheLevi4000

ssalamone

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-18-2013 01:12:36 | More by ssalamone

barbellsNbeers

Texas

5/5  rDev +8.7%

05-18-2013 01:11:55 | More by barbellsNbeers

rdooley

Texas

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-17-2013 23:54:19 | More by rdooley

jgluck

California

4.75/5  rDev +3.3%

05-17-2013 23:47:25 | More by jgluck

MRsojourner

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-17-2013 22:53:31 | More by MRsojourner

BarrelAgedBrian

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -13%

05-17-2013 20:42:56 | More by BarrelAgedBrian

EricClayton

West Virginia

5/5  rDev +8.7%

05-17-2013 18:58:23 | More by EricClayton

CesarLopes

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-17-2013 18:22:23 | More by CesarLopes

BillyHayes

California

5/5  rDev +8.7%

05-17-2013 06:43:24 | More by BillyHayes

chossboss

Oregon

5/5  rDev +8.7%

05-17-2013 04:23:45 | More by chossboss

myersk27

Indiana

4.75/5  rDev +3.3%

05-17-2013 03:49:10 | More by myersk27

Stoutish

California

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

I don't know if this has been done. I'm speechless and this is a 2013 vintage I've got three more to take on a journey over the next few years. I'm just going to let Tool(Band) speak on the subject as I'm pretty sure they wrote this song just for this... So here's my review.

TOOL

"Parabola"

We barely remember who or what came before this precious moment, We are choosing to be here right now. Hold on, stay inside This holy reality, this holy experience. Choosing to be here in

This body. This body holding me. Be my reminder here that I am not alone in This body, this body holding me, feeling eternal All this pain is an illusion.

Alive, I

In this holy reality, in this holy experience. Choosing to be here in

This body. This body holding me. Be my reminder here that I am not alone in This body, this body holding me, feeling eternal All this pain is an illusion.

Twirling round with this familiar parable. Spinning, weaving round each new experience. Recognize this as a holy gift and celebrate this chance to be alive and breathing.

This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality. Embrace this moment. Remember. we are eternal. all this pain is an illusion.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 03:22:45 | More by Stoutish