Double Double Barrel Ale - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

kojevergas

California

2.83/5  rDev -32.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served on nitro-draught into a snifter at the taproom in Paso Robles on its grand opening day. I found it interesting it was on nitro (which I verified with the bartender and by the black nozzle on the tap). I don't know if serving this on nitro was a decision made specifically for the new taproom or not.

A: Pours a one finger head of amazing cream (owed to the nitro-tap no doubt), great thickness, and amazing retention given the high ABV. A mild bubble show entertains the beholder as the head surfaces. Colour is a nontransparent caramel-amber. The head is very appealing.

Sm: Cream, butterscotch, buttery notes, and a hint of milk. Clean malts. A mild strength aroma.

T: Cream, overdone butterscotch (diacetyl?), amber hop notes, clean bright malts, raspberry fruit esters, and bad biscuit malt. Severely imbalanced, compromising the lovely cream with the estery malts. Built okay. The finish in particular is awful.

Mf: Smooth, wet, and creamy (for the first half). It aborts the cream but shouldn't.

Dr: Drinkable but poorly executed, especially for the style. Hides its ABV quite well. I wouldn't have it again. Likely best on nitro-draught.

C

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-23-2012 03:51:37 | More by kojevergas

chinchill

South Carolina

4.23/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

2012 Reserve #001 bottle. Translucent red-copper color; sparkling clear; small but durable off-white head.

Aroma: Big, rich and complex with some evidence of higher ABV. Surprisingly fruity! Hints of oak, caramel, raisins, brown sugar and bourbon.

Taste: Rich, complex and lasting. Bourbon whiskey-oak tones over a very fine barley wine. Has 12% ABV but drinks more like 8%.

Mouthfeel: Smooth but with some alcohol heat. Excellent for 12% ABV!

O: Exceptional. Perfect for sipping. An ESB transformed into something else altogether.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 14:06:35 | More by chinchill

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

weonfire

Kentucky

4.43/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed this on tap at the Local Option in Chicago, IL in a 12oz snifter

A - Golden brown, white fluffy head

S - Coconut, Vanilla, toffe, bourbon and aged fruit.

T - Sweet coconut, vanilla, brown sugar, toffee, more aged fruit, bourbon, chocolate and just a just a booze on the finish

M - super frothy, creamy, obviously full body, but slightly less carbonated.

O - Awesome. The coconut and vanilla made this very different from other American Strong Ales I've had. I loved it. and I normally HATE coconut. Vanilla and bourbon also combine with a very good mouth- to make a very good brew.

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2013 01:56:00 | More by weonfire

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4.14/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Thanks to my mother and father in law for this most excellent Christmas gift.

Appearance. Pours a deep, hazy burnt orange with almost a finger of off-white head.

Smell. Rich oak and vanilla, bourbon and sweet caramel malts, some brown sugar and a bit of woody spice.

Taste. Caramel, vanilla, barrel wood and bourbon with a little chocolate and coconut.

Mouthfeel. Medium-full body with medium-low carbonation and some nice smooth boozy warmth.

Overall. A nice big but smooth sipper that actually goes down quite easy.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 02:58:21 | More by Rutager

scottfrie

California

4.13/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle into snifter. Batch 1.

A: Pours a deep caramel color with a couple fingers of light tan soft head that faded to faint film leaving spotty lace down the glass.
S: Caramel, raisins, toffee, toast, and light vanilla. Boozy.
T: More toast and roast, toasted grains, toffee, boozy barrel, piny hops, and earthy spice. Solid bitterness in the finish with a hint of milk chocolate. The aftertaste is warming, boozy and spicy with hints of vanilla and leather.
M: Full body, thick and slick mouthfeel, bitter, warming, and low carbonation.
O: Very good complexity and flavor. A couple more months of age and I think this beer will be even more awesome.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 16:50:41 | More by scottfrie

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

jmaharaj

Maryland

4.11/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Translucent brown with a glint of red. Thin off white head that sizzles until it completely disappears. This is meant to be a thick boozy beer and it very much looks the part. Viscous and ominously serene this looks like its going to pack a punch. Big, big malts on the nose. Caramel and swollen raisins just below the boozy tingle. brown sugar and a hint of bourbon and cola. The taste is very much the same. Big, long and complex. Prickly alcohol heat up front that drops into the malts. Each flavor holds it own but they swirl well together. No detectable hop bitterness which is a little disappointing, but an imperial barrel aged bitter was always going to be about the malt. Mouth feel is wonderful, viscous with a light but aggressive carbonation.
Very nice beer. Perfect for sipping. Maybe not exactly suited if want you want is in fact a English pale, but very good.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 00:50:31 | More by jmaharaj

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on 2012-09-05 in Norristown, PA at Capones (from tasting notes)

A - Brewed tea brown with a short tan head and light lace.

S - Very mild malt. Not much aroma but there were food odors present.

T - Rich, rich toffee and roasted malt, spice. Hop oil flavor but not overly-bitter. Rich aftertaste of dark cherry and alcohol.

M - Medium body and light carbonation. Creamy, oily, thick.

O - Very enjoyable. LIked it as well or perhaps a bit more than the DBA.

Serving type: on-tap

03-24-2013 18:24:48 | More by Tucquan

TheSixthRing

California

3.59/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at Capitol Beer and Tap Room in Sacramento, CA

Appearance - A semi-hazy, deep reddish copper, served up with a razor thin, off-white head. Too thin to properly judge retention.

Smell - Strong boozy quality. Bourbony. Vanilla. Hints of caramel. Sharp.

Taste - Thankfully, smoother on the tongue than in the nose. Bourbon qualities do dominate the profile, however, and comes across as oaky and vanilla sweetness. Subtle caramel near the finish, then more bourbon qualities punch through again in the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel - Full-bodied with low carbonation. Finishes bone dry.

Overall - Call it what you will, but there are barrel-aged brews out there that don't really do it for me. Often I find too much booziness will get in the way of more subtle, enjoyable qualities of a beer. This one is no exception. It's good, but this just isn't my cup of tea. Take away the bourbon flavors, and this beer barely has a leg to stand on it's own.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2013 04:21:37 | More by TheSixthRing

beerbully

New Jersey

4.38/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into Snifter from 22 oz.

A-Brownish, reddish copper hue. 1/2 inch head that dissipates rather quickly. Moderate lacing that immediately runs down side of glass.

S-Big Sweet Aroma, Cherries, vanilla, bourbon, toffee, butterscotch

T-Follows the nose, First sip produces a big blast of bourbon upfront. followed by slightly burning sweetness. Barrel aging is prominent. Picking up the vanilla, canidied dark fruits, Oak. Alcohol is noticeable but not overpowering for 12%. Blends nicely with the complex flavors. Flavor lingers long after taking a sip. Lingering sweetness quite noticeable as near the bottom of glass.

M-quite a bit more carbonation than I was expecting. warms the mouth, leaves a slight tingle on roof of mouth. Carbonation mellows as beer warms.

O-This does the trick. Big beer with complex flavors that holds the drinkers attention while sipping on a cold day. Drinks more like a spirit than beer. Continues to improve as it warms. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 22:05:27 | More by beerbully

crewfan16

Minnesota

4.29/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

22 oz bottle dated 06/14/12 poured into a goblet. I'm forgetting which trader got me this,but thanks again.

A- pours hazy mahogany orange color. Light khaki foam recedes quirky, not surprising for 12. Pretty looking beer.

S- get lots of vanilla sweetness and caramel and toffee. Definite bourbon barrel booziness. Just slight bit of fruity hop, but not much. Very complex, as I would expect from Firestone walker specialty brews

T- follows the nose. Barrel character is evident with the creamy vanilla and caramel. Lots of booze. Big malt backbone with just a hint of bittering hops on the finish. Nice complexity.

M- thick and sticky mouthfeel. Not cloyingly sweet. Carbonation is minimum, but seems correct for the style,

Overall, another very good beer from firestone walker. Without much style-wise to compare It to, it's hard to say how truly good this is.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 05:27:27 | More by crewfan16

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

Samuel906

California

3.86/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

This beer is rich, a cacophony of flavors and smells. It really bares no resemblance to the run of the mill DBA other than it was aged in a barrel. This has a huge, complex smell. Chocolate, bourbon, cherries, shit loads of malt, brown sugar, molasses, vanilla. The taste is equally diverse, but the bourbon flavor really comes though but its not overly boozey. I liked it the most around 58 degrees F. Feel is very smooth with mild carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 06:04:10 | More by Samuel906

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

$7.25 for a 10 snifter
Sampled 20AUG12

[A] Amber brown with medium depth and a thin tan colored cap on top. Retention is shortly lived, leaving only a crescent shaped collar and an island of film.

[S] Dominantly caramel and toffee-forward upfront fades into mild figs and raisins and butterscotch. Bourbon barrel introduces a subtle counterpoint. Marvelously done.

[T] Big and bold malty flavors with rendered sugary flavors of caramel and buttery toffee dominating. Dark fruits of raisin and dates add complexity and, to take it another step further, the bourbon and barrel flavors bring it all together.

The flavor does, however, take a hit purely on the the completely average mouthfeel alone. This beer deserves better than this. (Note: This, nor the mouthfeel isnt an issue from a bottle serving.)

[M] A more syrupy texture would have benefited this beer immensely. The carbonation is just a tad too aggressive. Body is between full and medium full otherwise.

[O] Fantastic. As far as FW offerings go, and in my opinion of course, Double DBA is a more complete beer than say 14, 15 or Abacus - and every bit as good as Parabola.

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2013 14:09:49 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

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

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

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

brentk56

North Carolina

3.83/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: Pours a hazy amber color with a respectable head that leaves a few shards behind

Smell: Caramel, oak and vanilla, with Bourbon tones readily apparent; the base fruit and mineral tones of the ESB base are also discernable

Taste: Caramel, vanilla and toasted coconut jut out, with the Bourbon (and perhaps a little English hop flavor) building in the middle; the vanilla returns, after the swallow, with the oak lingering in the finish; it is not until the aftertaste that the base beer tones come through

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with low to moderate carbonation; warmth in the gullet

Overall: An interesting beer, with a lot of complexity; really rather sweet, however, and more suitable for an after-dinner nip, as a result

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 21:38:26 | More by brentk56

mooseo

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle into snifter.

A - Deep red-amber with a small bubbly head that quickly dwindles down into a thin, white film.

S - Complex and sweet. Caramel, brown sugar, oak, vanilla. Hints of dark fruit and alcohol.

T - Toasted caramel, vanilla bean, bourbon, and candied dark fruit. There is a distinct nuttiness present throughout. The finish is slightly bitter with strong oak/wood notes and a hint of alcohol.

M - Full bodied, silky and creamy. Mild carbonation, warming alcohol.

O - A very tasty and complex strong ale. Sweet up front but balanced nicely by earthy hops and a spicy alcohol bite. A true delight.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 04:46:01 | More by mooseo

ThickNStout

Georgia

4.29/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

22oz bottle from jpaco47 (thanks man!). Bottled 6/15/12. Served in a Southern Tier snifter.

Pours shimmery red hued light brown with a quickly receding two fingers of cream head. A good many patches of lace considering the high abv.

A pronounced bourbon boozy aroma on the nose with toffee, caramel, bread, wood and hints of figs/ dates blended in. Interesting.

Right up front there is a significant barrel prescense. Oak, vanilla, toffee, bourbon, bread, the sweetness of dark fruits, caramel, biscuit, rum cake and unsalted nuts. The bourbon is ever present but the base beer holds it's own. There's no denying that this is high abv but there are so many things going on that distract from the near constant slight burn.

Medium thick feel with an almost heavy dose of carbonated fizz. It really plops right down, coating the tongue and sticking around for a lingering woodsy toffee finish.

A unique barrel aged offering. I wasn't sure what to expect but Firestone Walker has another winner here. Lots of sweet malty goodness in this nice slow sipper that. Full of depth and character.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 03:08:35 | More by ThickNStout

nUgZ

North Carolina

3.84/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 ounce bomber poured into a snifter. Thanks to SanFranJake for this opportunity!!

A: Pours a somewhat clear burgundy color with a half finger head and minimal lacing.

S: Sweet smelling at first with a lot of vanilla and oak aged aromas. Bourbon is present as well.

T: Much like the smell, but not as smooth. There are vanilla and oak flavors as well as some alcohol, bourbon, and caramel. There is also a slight champagne or white wine aftertaste.

M: Medium bodied with low carbonation.

O: Pretty good, but it would probably benefit from some more aging. Personally, I prefer my Lukcy Basartd and Double Bastards over this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 21:44:21 | More by nUgZ

jethrodium

California

3.1/5  rDev -26.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

On tap. Pours a copper brown with a small tan head settles to a ring and leaves some light lacing on the glass. The aroma is lots of caramel, bourbon, vanilla, and toffee as well as some light oak, a bit of nuttiness, and some sweetness. The taste is sweet with lots of caramel, some oak, some light bourbon, toffee, and a light nuttiness. The finish is toffee and some lingering barrel notes. Medium body. Low carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2013 04:00:35 | More by jethrodium

claspada

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy, dark burgundy color with a decent size off-white head of bubbly foam that recedes to leave some decent retention and some sudsy trails of lacing behind.

Aromas begin with a ton of vanilla, oak and brown sugar. As it warms you get a lot more toasty bready malt and wheaty bourbon, maple syrup and sweet toffee.

The tastes follow the nose but are a bit more brash. It begins with semi-boozy, sweet maltiness with caramel and toffee joining soon after. Some bourbon spiciness adds just enough bitterness to balance the vanilla sweetness.

The mouthfeel is just below full bodied with a low amount of carbonation. Finish is fairly sweet but the oak and alcohol cuts the sweetness just enough.

Overall this was another great beer from Firestone Walker, but a bit too brash after only six months in the bottle. I feel some more age would be beneficial for the flavors to mellow and mesh and I will be revisiting my other bottles down the line to see how this develops.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 15:17:13 | More by claspada

maximum12

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Siggy125 for this bottle as part of a trade that meant I must have been really good this past year...never met a bottle of FW I didn't like. Bet this won't be the first. 22 oz. bottle split with my wife.

Pour is dark, dark red with hardly a breath of carbonation. Bourbon spreads from the open mouth of the bottle like the best Glade Plug-In ever. Underneath that boozy blanket is a bit of caramel, fruit basket. You had me at bourbon.

Double Double Barrel Ale burns all the way down; as if the brewer not only aged this in the barrels, but they weren't really empty when they splashed a little beer into them. Hard-core whiskey leaves scorched-earth behind. Past that storefront is caramel/toffee & a big swig of sweetness, malt & vanilla. Bare ground pepper right in the end, before the barrel takes over again. Couldn't drink more than a tub full of this, really. OK, maybe two.

This is sexy boozy. The barrel is brings some heat & the base beer slinks up against it like it's a cold night. And it is. Excellent beer that's warming my toes. Kickin' off my slippers. Ahhh.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 03:45:11 | More by maximum12