Double Double Barrel Ale - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

DocJitsu

California

4.98/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured into my Figueroa Mountain pint glass for a bit of poetic irony. The beer pours a mildly hazy copper-amber with a light taupe head. The head gives off an orange hue. The head, like all FW brews, subsides nearly immediately. Vibrant notes of coconut, honey, caramel, and bourbon comprise the aroma. The mouthfeel is so soft, creamy, and full that it takes on a life of its own. There's just enough scrubbiness on the top to balance. The mouthfeel is so complimentary to the gestalt of the beer. The flavor, while easily describable, does not lend itself to words for adequate appraisal of how good it really is. A flawlessly engineered combination of bourbon oak, caramel, and honey causes one to be thankful to have had the good fortune to experience it. It finishes with the most perfectly smooth coconut and butter, and, finally, just a hint of alcohol warmth. This may be the best beer I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2012 19:29:36 | More by DocJitsu

musicman575

California

4.98/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

From a tiny Firestone snifter, it smelled a bit like hot, gooey banana bread. Lot's of buttery brown sugar and spicy goodness plus bourbon and vanilla. Tiny bubbles slowly rise through the clear, somewhat thick, mahogany-colored beer. It melts over the palate like a soft liqueur. It's delicate, but anything but subtle. The tinier the sip, the better.

Serving type: on-tap

09-03-2012 19:51:35 | More by musicman575

elNopalero

Texas

4.98/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This was fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. I loved every sip.

This poured an amber malty caramel color with low foam.

There’s a complex, layered aroma with caramel, coconut, some dark chocolate around the edges and a hint of tobacco too. Like a secret whispered to the senses.

The flavor has a similar complexity, sweet with a nice bitterness giving it definition and contrast. I get more caramel, a roasted coconut, some cinnamon and dark chocolate. It’s smooth, malty and warmed well. The alcohol is present at 12% but it doesn’t show it. This is one of those brews that had me reminiscing about it days—nay, weeks—later.

Serving type: on-tap

10-17-2012 06:54:51 | More by elNopalero

DoubleSimcoe

New York

4.93/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Double DBA, on tap at Pony Bar, Hell's Kitchen, NYC

Appearance: Luscious color, Southern-style sweet-tea color, cherry overtones. One finger of head, then a rim and a mantle. Substantial lacing.

Smell: Rich, sweet, Christmas. Chesnut, caramel, butterscotch. Flan and all the desserts you can imagine. Countryside, smoke, Kentucky ham. Peat. Fields ready to be harvested, late summer in the Midwest. Malt, straight-up whiskey, barrel.

Taste: Great barreling here. Toastiness, lip-smacking hop touch as it goes down. Coconut, essential oils, vanilla. Whiskey (not bourbon) at the end, that astringent feel. Well balanced, not too sweet or heavy on the barrel. Just how I like it. Brulee sugars and spicy finish. Simple, but amazing.

Mouthfeel: Great carbonation, body and flavor. Love the tangy finish, like chewing on a Szechuan button. Whiskey all around, no doubt.

Overall: So drinkable! I don't get tired of this. Smooth, edible, beautiful. This is all I want in a barrel-aged beer.

Note: A second tasting of this on tap the next day was shorter in flavor and complexity and bigger in booze and barrel. More one-dimensional but still damn delicious.

Serving type: on-tap

08-26-2012 05:26:08 | More by DoubleSimcoe

smcnulty1981

Rhode Island

4.9/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: pours with a nice copper color with a 2 finger white head that sticks around for awhile good ammount of lacing on the head and some alcohol legs

S: starts off with a good ammount of coconut bourbon and oak very very little alchol on the nose

T: hints of bourbon flavor and coconut and maltiness that is present in most English bitters no alchol on the taste

M: full bodied mouthfeel that fully Coates the mouth almost sticky

O: another great example of why fw is the best at barrel aging

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 16:10:34 | More by smcnulty1981

SLObeer

California

4.78/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

poured from a 24oz bottle into a pint glass.

A: poured a nice dark toffee color, slightly reddish when held to light. large fluffy off white head that dissapears quickly, leaving very minimal lacing.

S: big floral hops right away. caramel malt, sweet fruit, slight hint of wood. i love how this beer smells.

T: tastes amazing. first comes the floral hops, then the caramely sweetness, the aftertaste is slightly woody

M: creamy, buttery, perfect carbonation

D: im into my second pint of it and i could keep on going. great session beer. the flowery hops get slightly overwhelming to the palette, my only complaint

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2010 01:00:23 | More by SLObeer

Big_Eatums

Arizona

4.78/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This is my first posting, so I’m afraid to give it the full on 5.0. But seriously…..this one ROCKS!! Okay, wait…to get more sophisticated.

It has a caramel taste, which could be from the barrels. As a homebrewer, I’ve already made note to get some kegs to double barrel my own brews….okay. The flavor is very malty indeed with a nice small ring a foam.

Trust me, this BEER is worth the price you’ll pay for it. Heck, get two and save one for when the world comes to a end and enjoy……

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2012 22:17:50 | More by Big_Eatums

shehateme

Massachusetts

4.74/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

A ...amber /copper tiny head
S...vanilla ,bourbon carmelized sugar
T...ooo Firestone you've done it again .i don't know what bourbon barrels Firestone uses but they should be the standard for beer aging .Huge bourbon ,vanilla and sugar shine through the perfect boozyness
M...still not sure what mouthfeel is
O...the barrel program at Firestone is heads and tails above every other that I have tried ,and this is no exception this beer seems to sit on the shelves in my area ,and now I'm glad it does will make this a staple in my rotation .

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 23:11:16 | More by shehateme

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

4.73/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: 1/8" tan coloured head that dissipated quickly over rich mahogany liquid.

S: Sweet caramel, honey, tangerines, apricot and oak.

T: Oak, sweet caramel malt, honey, earthy hops, lemon, and a touch of alcohol. Very smooth considering the ABV.

M: Medium to thick syrupy viscosity and a medium level of very fine carbonation. Some drying.

O: Extremely drinkable and tasty considering the 12% ABV. As a fan of oak and caramel, I definitely will be picking up this one next year.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 00:59:16 | More by DaftCaskBC

tchenery

Virginia

4.7/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The beer looks almost a light nutty brown color. It has a very rich reddish hue to it. There was a quick head that is gone, but it does seem to have decent carbonation from the looks of it.

It smells wonderful. Floral hop aromas are very forward, with an almost sweet smell. It tastes incredibly smooth. The malt shines through with this beer. It has a nice roasted/toasted nutty flavor to it. There is a bitter finish to the beer, but only slightly. Very delicious.

The malt of this beer give it a pretty full body, but it is extremely drinkable.

Well done.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2010 00:43:01 | More by tchenery

kennylopez

New Jersey

4.7/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a 22oz bottle into a mini snifter.
Appearance: a reddish copper color with a little white head that leaves little lacing. Tiny bits of sediment/flavorings floating from the pour.
Smells: a bitter floral hop that blends with a sweet dark fruit and bourbon.
Tastes: there is a unique bitter taste that marries a plum and fig sweetness. I pick out a slightly bready taste and the barrel notes are super enjoyable and adds a whole different layer.
Mouthfeel: there is a bit of a burn from the higher abv, but that's expected and sit well with a lingering bourbon aftertaste.
Overall: I picked up a few bottles at $7 a bottle and feel like its a steal, very worth every cent. I like this offering from Firestone walker and look forward to seeing how they lay down for so time.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2012 19:08:58 | More by kennylopez

joeseppy

Illinois

4.69/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Pours a dark murky brown. Hazy with little head and decent lacing. 2012 reserve.

Toasted coconut, vanilla, fruit of raisin and prune. Burnt sugar, bready with caramel.

Upfront sweetness with a bourbon head tic. Vanilla, tobacco, toasted coconut and burnt sugar works well with the heat. Sweetness just shines. Just plain crazy and complex!

Classic FSW barrel program. Big malt sweetness, vanilla, toffee and dark fruit. This is a bourbon neat. If you love bourbon and GI BCS, this is a must, esp. the price. $13 is a steal. I'm stunned! Drink now or cellar. Just simply Awesome!!!

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 04:16:24 | More by joeseppy

dave73ok

Minnesota

4.69/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Poured from bottle, dated 6-15-12.

a- Lovely color and clarity, poured nice, above average carbonation, but no issue.
s- Wow. Raisins, caramel, toffee, bourbon, vanilla.
t- Very complex flavor profile. The barrel effects are very evident, and add much to it. Not too hot, especially once it warmed a bit.
m- Full, thick.
o- This is a great beer. It'll probably put me to sleep, but that's ok!

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 02:17:57 | More by dave73ok

bpasquini

California

4.69/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A: dark ruby in color, similar to sucaba, a little more carbonation leaving a small half finger head

S: similar to sucaba and parabola, very sweet smelling, vanilla and bourbon predominately, some tart fruit also

T: slight bourbon presence, vanilla, and a little caramelized sugar, tasted a little coconut, and very little earthy hops as well, can tell they aged this in the same barrels as sucaba and parabola, very good flavor to it, would say it is sweeter than parabola, gets a little boozy as it warms

M: feels thick but smooth, almost identical to sucaba, very easy to drink considering %12 ABV

O: very good beer, recommend trying if you can find it, Sucaba and Parabola are better but this still compares to them, a little cheaper than sucaba and parabola, but still very good

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 05:49:44 | More by bpasquini

klink40

Massachusetts

4.68/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pros-balanced, hidden boozyness, able to draw many subtle flavors from it (caramel, vanilla, banana, slight green apple)

Cons-thin mouthfeel (despit being an Ale I'd expect a tad more)

Tastebuds were probably saying "YES! KBS! No. Wait. This is an Ale but a really balance barrel-aged one. Awesome."
Overall I LOVE IT! and will buy again. Wonder how it'll age...

AHHH! computers! After writing this a 3rd time I hope got my point across.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2012 01:27:38 | More by klink40

ThePaleRider

California

4.65/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Pizza Port in San Diego.

A - Dark red, almost mahogany in appearance. Thin off white head that really stays on the glass. Nice lacing as you would assume from a beer of this style.

S - Very rich, notes of oak, bourbon, and chocolate.

T - This is where Firestone Walker really shows that their barrel aging is one of the best. Very smooth flavor. Similar to many of their brews. Toasted coconut is the first flavor to hit my tongue. Definite whiskey presence, with what seems to be a hit of tobacco.

M - Nice and heavy without much carbonation. Lighter than some of FW's other options.

O - My favorite out of the barrel aged series from FW. If this beer was available in unlimited quantities it would be a daily brew for me.

Serving type: on-tap

08-19-2012 00:02:31 | More by ThePaleRider

Gatch

Massachusetts

4.65/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Served in a snifter. Delicious straight out of the refrigerated bottle but man does this shine with plenty of time to warm to room temperature! Becomes much more complex and flavorful (as any big beer/BBA beer should be).

A: Gorgeous burnt sienna/amber with shades of brown/red/clay/golden-yellow. If you pour it straight into the glass it'll build a nice, tall, bubbly off-white head but generally the head is minimal, leaving behind a bit of lace and retention. As it should be.

S: Massive bourbon and oak notes. Everything is there. Bourbon, smoke, earth, toffee, sweet malt, booze, toasted malt, vanilla, molasses, caramelized sugar. I could keep attempting to describe the nose but I'll just leave it at COMPLEX.

T: Everything that's in the nose but kicked up a notch. The warmth brings out so many flavors. And warming flavors at that. Definitely a good sipping beer on a cool night. The bourbon is intense but when each sip finishes, you're left wanting more. So I'm going to say it's perfectly balanced bourbon flavor. Not too much and not too little.

M: There's a bit of an alcohol burn but this beer has been sitting out for over two hours. Besides that, it's incredibly smooth, exploding with flavor, and blows your mind. I can't believe a beer can be this great. And I can't believe barrel-aging can be this awesome.

O: Firestone Walker defines the category of barrel-aging. They do it so well. All of their big beers are exceptional. Every beer aficionado/connoisseur should have the opportunity to try this. Outstanding!

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2012 01:28:42 | More by Gatch

GregSVT

Texas

4.65/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle into a tulip

A: Pours a hazy reddish brown with an eggshell white head that fades to a ring and leaves a little bit of lacing on the glass.

S: The nose is pretty amazing on this one...loads of vanilla, caramel, toffee, figs, and Belgian candied sugar.

T: The taste is even more impressive! Big flavors of vanilla, caramel, candied figs, and a small hint of hops on the finish. The finish really lasts.

M: The feel is medium bodied and slightly creamy.

O: I was way more impressed by this one than I thought I was gonna be. The aromas and flavors are really great. It's pretty sweet but it's nowhere near cloying.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 22:57:21 | More by GregSVT

Greywulfken

New York

4.63/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: amber brown with orange accents; off-white head vanished quickly leaving a bubbly collar

S: candi sugar, toffee, some bourbon

T: super beer - reminded me of an old ale - don't know what a bitter ale normally tastes like, but this reminded me of the scotch ale/old ale/barleywine styles; sweet malt toffee, some drier notes from the barrels; nice woody flavors wrap around boozy dark fruits

M: creamy, little bitter on the drying finish; medium body

O: probably a great cigar beer, has a nice smokiness and strong character; again, I'd have pegged it for an old ale or scotch ale - warms well, finishes great, wonderful aftertaste - glad I got my hands on one

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 21:28:57 | More by Greywulfken

tigg924

Massachusetts

4.63/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Big thanks to Fubar1453 for giving this to me as a gift.

Appearance: hazy, copper in color, 1/4 inch head, high carbonation

Smell: dominated by pineapple--yes not what i thought I was gonna get, tones of oak and vanilla as well. This is right up there with Creme Brulee Stout as one of the best smelling beers I have ever had.

Taste: toffee and sweet vanilla start, citrus in the middle that quickly goes to oaking and whiskey

Mouthfeel: sweet with a touch of bitterness, heavy body, smooth, medium-high carbonation

Overall: The best beer I have tasted that has been imported to Massachusetts in a long time. The smell is amazing with the pineapple being so fresh. The oak and the whiskey tastes are present but never overbearing. I will certainly pick this up again as a treat for special occasions.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2012 13:30:03 | More by tigg924

Jonada

New Jersey

4.61/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

2012 Bottle served in a Founders snifter

Appearance: Copper/Orange color with a 1 finger cream colored head. Head dissipates to a thin film and collar around the edges of the glass. Once in the glass, its very hazy. Can't see anything through it.

Smell: Caramel, rum soaked raisins, vanilla, oak, bourbon, butterscotch.

Taste: Toffee, butterscotch, vanilla, sweet malt, hints of coconut and brown sugar. Incredibly complex, yielding different flavors with each sip. Light bitterness in the finish balances out the sweetness.

Mouthfeel: Medium/full bodied, with light carbonation. Alcohol yields a gentile warming sensation going down, but isn't hot. Dangerously drinkable for 12%

Overall: More evidence that Firestone Walker has one of, if not the best barrel program in the world. Incredibly complex and flavorful, while at the same time maintaining a surprising level of drinkability. This one's definitely a winner.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 00:22:39 | More by Jonada

Zorro

California

4.58/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours viscous and thick, chill hazed dark amber with a very small tan colored head. The head doesn't last long, typical of a 12% beer.

Smell is sweet and fruity with a strong bourbon scent to it. Strong caramel, vanilla and oak, it is quite fragrant. Fruit scents of pineapple, cherry, prune and melon. Hop scent isn't much just a slight scent of cedar and leather. Brown sugar and whiskey, the more you smell it the more things you sense. One of the best smelling beers out there and the best one this year.

Starts out sweet with a strong vanilla taste and a sensation of alcohol on the tongue, slightly numbing. Tastes much like it smells, might need a little aging though alcohol is detectable. A super sipper, the taste just gets better as you drink it. Only downside is the alcohol, 6 months to a year of aging will mellow that out.

Mouthfeel is syrup thick.

Overall this is the best beer I have had this year. This would be a straight all 5s beer if the alcohol was a little less noticeable, aging might fix that. Stashing two bottles of this away for Christmas!

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2012 01:20:23 | More by Zorro

gshak

Texas

4.55/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Finally got to grab a couple of bombers of the first double DBA release. Let's see how this goes:

Poured about 3 oz from bottle at fridge temperature into a triple karmeliet snifter, and allowed to warm up for about 10 mins:
A - Orange/light brown with minimal head and zero lacing. Not much to look at, but I wasn't paying for the appearance either...
S - coconut, vanilla, delicate bourbon, toffee, brown sugar, and slight fruity tartness...the smell reminds me of a very decadent dessert.
T - slight saltiness, yielding rightaway to rich, sweet, toffee-like, brown sugary, rum-soaked raisin breadiness that finishes tart, and very abruptly at that. The mouth demands another sip to replace the one that just went down. There is some oak and a slight hop near the end to balance out the sweetness.
M - medium bodied, but chewy indicating that this is one flavorful beer.
O - A most excellent beer that will likely age gracefully into a more complex and rewarding fine liquid. At 12%, this one drinks remarkably easy and very filling. Drink it responsibly at home, with good company.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 21:05:29 | More by gshak

beergoot

Colorado

4.55/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a clear, deep reddish-copper color with a nice one-finger thick creamy head. Rich, rich malt nose, coupled with figs, dates, caramel; sort of an alcohol-infused honey-bun...Rich, warm taste; roasted malts, pear, and an earthy bitterness squeezed in; honey and caramelized sugars. Medium-heavy body; chewy and syrupy.

The first whiff made me think of some of the strong dark Nordic brews I favor. Perhaps some sherry and port in the mix too (as far as smell goes). Anyway, a big, flavorful beer -- heavy on the malt characteristics overall; nicely balanced with an appealing alcohol warmth (considering its high ABV). Gonna get me another bottle or two while I can...

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2012 20:35:51 | More by beergoot

ngeunit1

California

4.53/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A - Pours a cloudy copper-brown color with a finger of khaki colored head. The head fades fairly quickly leaving behind a bit of lace.

S - Aroma is a mix of sweet caramel malts, dark fruits, oak, vanilla, toasted coconut, brown sugar, and a bit of booze.

T - Starts off with sweet caramel malts with some raisin and other dark fruits and vanilla. Through the middle, some toasted coconut, oak, and Bourbon comes through with a some brown sugar. The finish is a mix of sweet caramel malts, brown sugar, dark fruits, fruity English yeast character, oak, vanilla, and some booze.

M - Medium full bodied with light carbonation. Feels smooth with a sweet and warming finish.

D - Very drinkable. Very nicely balanced. The sweet malty profile is nicely balanced by the Bourbon barrel character.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 07:17:07 | More by ngeunit1