Double Double Barrel Ale - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

denver10

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a deep caramel amber with a slight cream colored head. Aroma provides a healthy hit of booze, barrel, some honey, caramel, honey. Flavor follows suit and the booze and barrel strut their stuff in the get go, some honey and toffee that leads to a vanilla caramel in the finish. Fuller bodied, slight activity. Overall, I quite enjoyed this one a lot though it would have benefited from a lessening of the heat.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 23:35:03 | More by denver10

ehammond1

California

4.38/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On Tap

Firestone Walker Brewing co.
Paso Robles, CA

Light copper or a dark amber, depending on the light, with a thin light khaki colored head that doesn't last long at all, eventually leaving the glass with an oily shine. Typical of a barrel-aged beer of this strength.

Aroma of bourbon, caramel, toffee, pecan, and big vanilla notes, along with some earth and simple grain in the background. It smells lovely, though Abacus and Helldorado do smell better, in my opinion.

The flavor too is quite nice, but again I think Abacus and Helldorado both taste slightly better. This is full of vanilla, bourbon, wood, grain, and a bit of alcohol. There's also mild dark fruits, though it's not a major component of the flavor profile.

Medium bodied with low carbonation. Very drinkable.

Fantastic.

Serving type: on-tap

08-02-2012 17:51:55 | More by ehammond1

beertunes

Washington

3.98/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in tulip. Poured a lightly hazy medium mahogany color with under 1/2 inch of light tan head that had low retention and moderate lacing.

A nice grain scent provided a solid base for a bit of yeasty spice aromas. There was an olfactory aspect I couldn't quite put my finger on, but the closest I can come is the yeasty fruit qualities of a Dubbel. There was a bit of an alcohol in the nose as well. The very good taste was kind of the same story, nice grains, some good yeast, and that quality I couldn't place, but again, that seemed reminiscent of a Dubbel.

The body was very good, smooth, well-rounded and full. It slid across the tongue very easily for such a big beer. Drinkability was excellent, especially considering this brews 12% ABV, several would go down too easily. Overall, a great beer, most certainly a must try. Might worth laying a few bottles down.

Serving type: on-tap

08-02-2012 17:39:39 | More by beertunes

RuckusDu

Colorado

3.28/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Just picked up this 2012 version to see what its like. Poured into Duvel tulip.

A - A loud finger of light beige head that quickly falls. Body is slightly cloudy. Color is weird. Almost an artificial bright red/amber. Can't remember ever seeing this florescence in a beer before.

S - Yes please. Tons of bourbon, sweet vanilla and lots of oak. A hint of fruit, like red apple, cranberry, and cherry. So much going on and very nice.

T - Just a big mess. Very alcoholic and all over. The oak over powers and just makes it taste woody. Not a whole lot of bourbon, some vanilla. Finishes with some slight hops.

M - The alcohol burns. Body is a little syrupy, but carbonation is good.

O - Maybe I need to compare this to regular DBA, but this is not a balanced beer. Too much wood and not enough smoothness. Weird.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2012 03:16:09 | More by RuckusDu

Docer

Washington

3.63/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: (4.0)

- This beer poured a very huge light tan head that was a fluffy 2-3 fingers of thick foamy head over the top of a rather dark and ruby-like copper brew. Thin layers of creamy head reside over the brew while a medium sized ring is left. Solid.

Smell: (4.0)

- Big notes of vanilla and oak with a kiss of bourbon. It's a little hot and would be a nice aging brew. Huge sweet molasses-like malts with a caramel punch. Rather sweet. Bready notes are certainly present as well.

Taste: (3.5)

- Big sweet molasses and caramel notes with a lovely grassy and earthy hop bitterness present as this beer is fresh. Light heat flavors from the alcohol. Lovely vanilla dessert with an oak bottom. Solid brew, but for me doesn't touch a lot of other barrel aged beers. The flavors are great from the aging process, but i am not sure if the beer is.

Mouth Feel: (3.5)

- Medium bodied, slightly sticky, a nice chewy flare, and well carbonated. Curious what this would be like without the use of a standard British Ale yeast. It's not too syrupy at all from the aging which is nice. The base beer must have been. Overall not a bad feel.

Overall: (3.5)

- This beer is nice after the whole process. I doubt that I would like the base beer that much, and to be honest I don't care much for the basic DBA beer from Firestone. I find most to be too malt forward. This however is a nice dessert beer with a nice sweet touch. The malt, caramel, and vanilla is solid, but I would still like a little more bitter rather than dry heat from the alcohol... though I'm reviewing this beer a tad fresh. Got another in the cellar.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 04:14:46 | More by Docer

chugalug06

Colorado

4.35/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

One-finger head rises from the dead of the carbonation. Brew is deep blood red. With nice outer off-white ring.

Tons of vanilla sweet syrup.. Oak. Caramel. Domination.

Not overly sweet, like the scent would lead one to believe. Very nice balance. Great use of heat to distribute the sweetness across palate. Very well balanced and nicely bitter. Not bready or over oaked. Heat is highly detected, but it's in a nice refreshing way. Low carbonation, but it's perfect!

Awesome brew! Curious to see what this brew does with time on its hands.. Hopefully it's not the work of the Devil.. Highly recommended. Yum! Right on-point for the style. Nice work FW!!

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 01:10:51 | More by chugalug06

pmarlowe

California

4.3/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2012 vintage. Tulip glass.

A: Pours an auburn-tinted gold with a thick ring of light khaki head. Good retention and a few dots of lacing.

S: Lots of spice, cherry and liquorice, sweet decadent bourbon, spiced white chocolate and marshmallow. Wonderful, lots going on here.

T: Boozy vanilla, oak, white chocolate, slightly tannic with undertones of toffee on a long, bone dry finish. I actually wish this had a little sweetness to round out the flavors. A slight alcohol burn and warming sensation.

M: Medium-full body and medium carbonation, which actually seems a touch high for the style.

O: Delicious and unique. Like a spicey, white chocolate barleywine. I don't think I've had a beer like this before.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 04:56:11 | More by pmarlowe

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

UCLABrewN84

California

4.08/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle pour at Woodshop 7 held at Beachwood BBQ & Brewing in Long Beach, CA.

Pours a slightly murky dark brown with a foamy beige head that settles to small dots of foam on top of the beer. Small dots of lace also form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, brown sugar, caramel, vanilla, wood, and bourbon. Taste is much the same with the bourbon really coming through in the aftertaste. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer with a great smell but I think it needs to sit for a little while for the flavors to mesh together a bit better.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 00:44:42 | More by UCLABrewN84

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

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

gmagness

Colorado

3.73/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Yard House in downtown Denver.

A: Clear red/amber/copper color. One finger head, slightly off-color

S: The sharpness of strong ale comes through, with the aroma being pleasant but unremarkable.

T: Starts malty, but quickly becomes dry with alcohol in the finish. Fruity flavors are subdued.

M: Carbonation and body are appropriate for a strong ale.

O: This is a good strong ale, although I prefer more complexity. If allowed, I would score all categories at 3.75

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2011 21:55:18 | More by gmagness

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.48/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I love DBA, Unfiltered DBA even better! So when I heard about Double Unfiltered DBA it was a must have!

Poured a amber color with a small dirty white head. Nose was caramel, hops, brown sugar, floral notes. Taste for DBA always has a wine like texture, very smooth and velvety. Brown sugar, caramel, wood, vanilla and the ABV is well hidden. Mouthfeel is nice and smooth.This beer is so smooth and easy that is nuts. Drinkability is phenom! I had 3 at 10% with no problem.
///
The 2 BA's below reviewed the beer as standard DBA and the reviews are incorrect.

Serving type: on-tap

07-15-2011 01:46:33 | More by barleywinefiend

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.65/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bomber into a pint glass, the beer pours with a thick, foamy, dense, off-white head and a crystal clear ruby-copper coloring that is infested with bubbles, a sign of the high carbonation. The beer has caramel sweet aromas, mixed with cut grass and semi-sour notes. Also, slightly toasted characteristics are present. The flavors are toasted, both caramel malty sweet and a hint of bitter hops. Everything has a toasted feel to it. There is also a hint of dark chocolate buried way in the background. The beer itself is dry and crisp in mouth, and the aftertaste is slightly sour and dry. The finish is quick, and there is little to no linger in mouth, making this an easy one to continue to drink. Flavors lack a little body and staying power, and there are other Strong Ales I would lean towards.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2011 02:37:06 | More by GarthDanielson

sj660

California

4.33/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Firestone Double Barrel Ale presents itself in a light copper-orange color, with a thick foam marking a lace at every sip.

I get a toasty aroma that comes through in the flavor, along with pine, grapefruit, toast, and perfectly in balance.

Medium-bodied and you can drink it like it's Groundhog Day.

This beer is part of California Central Coast cuisine as much as the local zinfandels, pinot noirs, strawberries, Tri-Tip, Pinquito beans, Ranch dressing (invented here), abalone, etc.

Goes great with tri-tip sandwiches, fries, and ranch, but also with fresh local greens.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2011 20:55:49 | More by sj660

Swimsum

California

4.22/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the brewery on 7/26/09 (working though a backlog of reviews).

Pours out a deep amber in color. Very thin white head emerges on the pour and quickly settles to ring around the glass. When held to light the sides highlight amber but the body is fairly cloudy and not much light come shining though. No lacing is left.

This one smells sweet (as in sugary). I asked about how they brewed this and was told they start with a ton of sugar. Well it definitely shows as there is a ton of residual sugar left in the smell. Also notes of vanilla and caramel. A lot of alcohol can be smelled in this as well.

As with the smell, tons of sweetness. Sort of taste like it was bourbon barrel aged but was told it was just the residual sugar. The vanilla and caramel comes out more in the taste than in the smell. This finishes with some alcohol heat and bitterness. However, this is still a very smooth tasting beer.

Nice and thick and sticky from the sugar. The alcohol causes a warming sensation as the beer is swallowed but thankfully isn't as present as the nose would lead one to believe.

This was a great beer. Pretty easy drinking but still a sipper. The alcohol heat is nice and mellow here yet present enough to remind you that it's a 10% beer. It really is like an "Imperial DBA"

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2011 21:24:56 | More by Swimsum

smcolw

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dome-like head that stick around for a very long time. Leaves a coating of lace. The color is dark amber and very clear.

Sharp spicy hop bite; good malt background.

Rich bodied with a low level of carbonation. Malty start that lasts through the swallow. Good hop to provide balance. The aftertaste mostly bitter but well balanced.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2010 02:33:05 | More by smcolw

jlindros

Massachusetts

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

This one thanks to RaulMatisse.

A: A fluffy white head rises and quickly dissipates over an amber reddish auburn brown color that's mostly clear.

N: A nice hoppy aroma, some spicy and floral hops, combined with some caramel malts, some malty flavors, touch of oak.

T: Again with the nice hops, floral, a little spicy and slightly earthy, a decent bitterness. Then more caramel malts, toasty slightly, a slight nutty taste to it too. Somewhat sweet as well, with a little oak and vanilla.

M: Medium to heavier body with decent carbonation.

F: FInishes somewhat bitter with some lingering spicy and floral hops, as well as a little pine. Still somewhat sweet, but dries a bit. A little lingering malt and toasty flavors as well as that barrel and oak flavors. Very drinkable for 10%, you can barely notice the alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2010 01:51:07 | More by jlindros

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

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

ThreeWiseMen

California

3.88/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Free samples of Twelve, Thirteen, and a number of other Firestone rarities were being offered up at the Firestone Thirteen Release Party at the brewery in Paso Robles. That's where I got to try this. Following review based on notes from that event.

Served in a small snifter.

Appearance: Cloudy, bright amber with big, frothy, off-white head. This looks like a very big Double Barrel Ale (as it should, I suppose). Lovin' the color, lovin' the look of the head. Nice lacing too.

Smell: Caramel, flowery hops, chai, and butter. Odd, which is kind of what I expected. Wiseman Justin told me this smelled and tasted like chai, and so far he's dead on.

Taste: Chai tea (good call Justin!), caramel, and flowery and piney hops. A plethora of interesting spices emerge in the background. Weird-ish flavor.

Mouthfeel: Great! Malty, clean, and very balanced. Light spiciness and perfect, velvety carbonation. Not very heavy, and for 10%, the alcohol is hidden very well.

Drinkability: Pretty damn weird, but still good on the whole. I'd like to try a full pint sometime.

Serving type: on-tap

11-18-2009 02:15:40 | More by ThreeWiseMen

charlzm

California

3.95/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Consumed 08/08/09 at Blue Palms, Hollywood, CA.

Clear butterscotch/toffee colored brew with ample carbonation (though no appreciable head).

Aroma is malty, with caramel/toffee being the dominant note over alcohol.

Flavor is more or less the same as standard Double Barrel Ale (caramel malt, bready, nutty and with an almost fruity juiciness), just more so. And with a little alcohol heat.

Goes down easily, though not as creamy or smooth as the standard DBA.

I think I prefer the garden variety version of this one; Double Double Barrel is taking a good, sessionable beer and kicking it up in ABV. Which sort of ruins its sessionability.

Serving type: on-tap

09-02-2009 08:31:09 | More by charlzm

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

4.22/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Biercafe in Portland, served in a snifter. Went well with a deli sandwich.

Pours a lightly cloudy dark orange/brown, decently thick off white head forms, quickly settles to a thin ring around the glass, some lace spots stick. Smell is nice, very malty, caramel and raisin, dark fruit, oak and bourbon, some vanilla, earthy, almost herbal hoppiness to it, some alcohol but decently hidden. Taste is similar, huge and malty, toffee, raisins, alcohol, bourbon, oak and vanilla, nice dark fruit, again an herbal bitterness that makes me think of this as more an imperial ESB than a barleywine, nicely balanced in the finish. Mouthfeel is full bodied with low to medium carbonation, a sipper but pretty smooth considering whats going on in it. I liked this one.

Serving type: on-tap

08-27-2009 17:39:02 | More by Viggo

msubulldog25

Oregon

4.28/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Found this on tap at Bailey's in downtown Portland; a 10 oz. pour for $5. Not cheap but worth it, I hope.

A: Chestnut orange-brown with a fairly creamy head, ivory and <1 finger. Drops to a rim-hugging film and sprawling film. Strong lace in broad, drippy bands.

S: Malty-sweet aroma, full of candied fruit, vanilla and a hearty (but not overbearing) woodiness. Toffee and raisin sugariness, a sweeter booze than a barleywine or strong ale, but not far removed.

T: All the caramel and fruit found in the aroma comes through in the taste: candy sweet caramel with a deeper fruit flavor: sweet raisins, overripe melons, syrupy. 'Barrel' flavor is just strong enough to defeat over-sweetness.

M: Creamy smoothness, luscious medium-heavy body.

D: Far too easy to drink for a 10% beer, stealthy. Recommended; should be served in small doses or risk getting carried away.

Serving type: on-tap

08-21-2009 00:59:47 | More by msubulldog25

MasterSki

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on-tap at City Beer Store in SF. Served in a tulip glass.

A - This is not the most attractive brew. Minimal foam over a hazed light brown-orange-red messy looking body. Just looks kind of sludgy. Still, not going to punish it too much as the appearance rating is overweighted here and it's a high gravity brew.

S - Much better! Dark fruits and raisins, caramel apple and burnt sugar malts, light vanilla and bourbon character, and a touch of booziness.

T - Very similar to the smell - burnt sugars, dark fruits, light woody and earthy notes, but without the touch of fusel alcohol in the smell. Odd case where it tastes a little better than it smells.

M - Medium-thick body, viscous and super sticky, low carbonation. Surprisingly clean finish with minimal tannic character and charred sugar sensations (like most malty high gravity brews).

D - Minimal heat, great flavor, very easy drinking for a 10% brew. Reminds me a little of Struise Rocking Horse but without the amazing hop flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

08-15-2009 17:03:44 | More by MasterSki