Double Barrel Ale - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

errantnight

California

4.2/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I'm tempted to up the score, because I think this beer is generally under-appreciated... but for me, this is as close as I can get to a session beer out here in SoCal that isn't loaded with hops.

It's beautiful. Crystal copper with a thin head that sticks around with attractive lacing.

Aroma is a ball of malt with just a tinge of pine and hoppy spice with some fruit esters around the corners. Super mild, however.

Flavor is a perfect balance of malt and hops. Smooth, silky textures reveal subtle toasts and mild roast flavors. Nothing here stands out, but those claiming this lacks complexity aren't paying it enough attention.

The mouthfeel on this is refined and truly exceptional. A solid medium body with a pleasant lift from a perfect carbonic level. It's not big, it's not thin... I "blame" some tannins from the barrel aging process, and this is backed up a bit by some dryness in the cheeks.

I can't claim that this gets me excited to sniff and savor like great IPAs, or has the complexity and richness of... well, of the truly great beers. But there's something Perfect here. I was turned off to this beer by a Los Angeles location with infected lines, but now it's a staple. Inexpensive, prevalent, low in alcohol, and tasty. Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2008 00:20:59 | More by errantnight

Jerzdevil1116

New Jersey

4.18/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

12oz bottle purchased at Stateline Liquors in Elkton, MD.

A- Clear reddish amber body. Poured with little to no head. Minimal carbonation.

S- Sweet taosted malts, toffee and vanilla. Slightly yeasty and hoppy.

T- Malty and bready beginning. A bit of oak. Very light hops in the finish.

M- Medium bodied. Lightly carbonated.

D- An extremely drinkable beer. Nicely balanced. No single overpowering taste. Light enough in body and alcohol to drink several of these in a sitting.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2008 05:02:01 | More by Jerzdevil1116

bobsy

Ontario (Canada)

4.18/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Thanks to BigBry for this one (and you're a lucky fella for having access to this). Nice amber pour, with a small off-white head which doesn't last too well. The appearance is loses something for the somewhat lackluster head, but its a small quibble, and made up for by the other aspects of this beer. Rich, malty caramel aroma and forest floor earthiness. Fruity, caramel flavours hit first as the malts dominate, before the hops make themselves felt wuth an earthy character. The crisp finish returns to fruitiness and light brown sugar. Just the perfect combination of flavours for a solid drink whenever, wherever brew. Nothing really challenges the palette, yet there's huge kudos for the soothing, drinkable and familiar flavours that this one brings to the table. Medium-light body and carbonation, but very smooth on the tongue. As I've already touched upon, there is huge drinkability here. The crisp finish and relatively light body really helps to make this a session beer that could disappear in a hurry.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2008 19:20:46 | More by bobsy

hajenaD

California

4.18/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

bottle poured into pint

A: I really like the color of this beer, I held it up to my ceiling fan's light and was impressed by it's beautiful amber color with a burnt yellow color at the top.

S: Smelled great, general citrus scent with some pine scent to it

T: hit the spot, not to strong, but just right if you're in the mood for an amber ale!

M: light, smooth, flavor hits a little late for me, but when it does hit it's just what I was lookin for.

O: I'm really happy with this beer, it's exactly what I was looking for! I will grab this bad boy again and again in the future!

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2011 04:40:43 | More by hajenaD

tmitch75

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Clear bright orange color with about 1/4" of white head.

Fruity sweet smell with floral citrusy hops.

Malty sweetness with toffee followed by citrusy hops and a hint of pine.

A bit past medium body with nice crispness.

Excellent beer, a very good amber ale.

Tasted on 5/5/08.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2008 03:18:38 | More by tmitch75

younger35

Minnesota

4.15/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a bottle of this in San Luis Obispo at Sandy's Deli. The little dude that was working there was hilarious. Drank from my Ithaca Excelsior tulip.

Appearance- Pours a reddish orange with a decent sized one finger bright white head. The head recedes fairly slowly leaving a spotty cap, fairly thin collar and pretty much no lacing.
Smell- Some soft malty sweetness upfront gives way to just a kiss of soft floral hops. A bit of toffee shows a bit more as it warms and the lilac like hops really shine. Fairly soft nose but pleasant none-the-less.
Taste- Much like the nose this thing is just soft and flavorful and delicious! Nice malty backbone that is somewhat biscuity and doughy. A small amount of sweetness is present but just enough to add a soft toffee aspect. The hops are fairly aggressive as well for a Red Ale. Some ripe juicy pineapple is present towards the end with a light lingering bitterness.
Mouthfeel- Nice big body with a full feel and light carbonation.
Drinkability- Very easy drinking, nice flavorful brew. The malt and hop are in very nice balance and I thoroughly enjoyed this. I wish I could find a nice mild red around here that is as easy drinking as this brew.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2008 01:10:23 | More by younger35

Sutardja

California

4.15/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I had this on tap at a sports bar before my dinner. The first thing I noticed about the beer was the subtle fruity aroma coming from it's translucent, amber body. The flavor combined a complementary balance of fruit and malty breadiness that was well balanced by the subtle hop character. The only problem was that these flavors weren't strong enough to keep the beer interesting to drink. Carbonation was medium, but suited the character of the beer. The careful balance of good flavors and the lack of any offensive flavors makes this beer extremely drinkable. I would definitely recommend it for a session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2009 09:58:38 | More by Sutardja

goatgoat

California

4.15/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I've been enjoying this brew for years. It was the first case I picked up upon returning to California (albeit a beer desert section of Cali, does such a thing exist? yes, yes it does).

Appearance is clear orange with copper depths and lemon edges. A few fingers of head forms but falls rather quickly. No lace to speak of. Aroma is very forward: lemon, black tea, and moist earth. An undercurrent of sweet malt gives a bit of body to the experience. No butter notes. Taste starts with a slightly bready, slightly caramel sweetness. Earthy character more prominent in the taste. A moderate bitterness that's well-balanced with the whole. Good body for the style, not too heavy with a surprising crispness. Carbonation is low for my American palette, but is probably over-boisterous by English standards.

An exceptionally drinkable session ale. It has enough complexity to warrant extended consideration but is friendly enough to share with macro-drinkers. I never get tired of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2009 19:36:42 | More by goatgoat

beerluvr

New Jersey

4.13/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Ultra effervescent and foamy cream colored head, massive and rocky! Medium amber hued brew. Subtle woody nose with sweet malt backing. Toasty oak flavors abound, mingling with some fruitiness and leafy hop bitters. Nice complex finish, showing some caramel like notes and more woodiness. A uniquely tasty ale. Thanks CRJM for the bottles!

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2004 13:21:51 | More by beerluvr

WetCoaster

California

4.13/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Very nice clear copper with a glowing gold undertone. Slightly off-white head, decent volume and durability. Some lacing. Moderate, fine carbonation.

Smell: Wow. For a "small" beer (5% ABV), this thing is booming. Very strong citrus/pineapple hop aroma with assertive green apple yeast esters. (Note: For some reason, the first of the six was far more powerful nosewise than was the others.) Didn't pick up much malt, but since this brewery is local, ours may be "fresher" than most.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Velvety smooth mouthfeel is the first thing I noticed; again, very good for a low ABV brew. The taste is mild and very typical of a West Coast pale ale with a nice balance of chewy malt and hop bite. Has hints of caramel toward the end and finishes dry and quite clean.

Drinkablity: Great taste, awesome aroma and mouthfeel, low ABV--you could drink these all day. In fact, I just might.

I have to admit, given that these arrived in the wave of hype surrounding "The Bachelor," I expected NOTHING from this beer and have avoided buying it for at least a year. My mistake. While perhaps not the advertised English ale, this is an extremely solid version of the WCPA style and is much better than I ever would have imagined. Great session brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2004 00:18:19 | More by WetCoaster

cerveza5150

California

4.13/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Good session beer. I've had many beers and ales that are better than this one, but this is a good choice if there are no others! Kinda liked the old SLO Brew better, but the brewery as a whole is pretty good. A little more hops would have been a nice addition.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2006 22:32:16 | More by cerveza5150

garymuchow

Minnesota

4.13/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On the website it noted one of it's awards was for an "ordinary bitter" category, which I'm sure lends further confusion as to what this should be. But considering it uses both english hops and yeast it may be a closer bid.
Nonetheless...here goes.
Aroma is a really nice blend of hop and malt. Slightly toasty and grassy too. Sweet and somewhat earthy. Real pleasant.
Good looking beer too. Firm and somewhat dense head capping a classic amber of orange/brown. Clear with visible bubbles rising.
Flavor continues the trend of well blended ingredients. Nothing overpowers the other flavors and it's a rounded around a present yet soft bitterness. Toasty malt, grassy hops, mild dryness, touch of fruit, little sweetness up front, tasty bitter finish.
Quite soft in feel of both liquid and carbonation. Smooth drinking. On the richer side, but not too much.
I'm impressed. This is a well rounded ale that can be used for a variety of situations including food. Well done.
Thanks John.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2007 17:49:16 | More by garymuchow

canucklehead

British Columbia (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

What a well put together ale with the perfect ruby tinged dark brown colour topped with a creamy white head. Nose is hoppy and almost brewery like. I like the complex hop notes in the finish coupled with a slight oakiness. At 5% this is a great drinking beer that is nuanced more than most of the style.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2007 10:53:12 | More by canucklehead

beachbum1975

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Much of what makes me a beer fan is the opportunity to meet and trade with great people on this website. I was fortune enough to trade for a Firestone Walker 11th Anniversary EinWeizenbitte for some local brews and he was kind enough to send me a sampler pack of 4 of Firestone Walker's offerings as extras! EinWeizenbitte is a truly generous beer advocate. This one's for you!

A: No freshness date on this gorgeous 12 ounce brown bottle. I love the bear and lion attempting to keep the DBA balanced in the center of this classy label. Much like the picture on the label, this pours a beautifully clear ruddy copper with a great, creamy ½ off-white head. This is a thing of beauty to look at and a great example for its' style.

S: Lightly toasted malts, sweet grains and traces of floral hops.

T/M: Much lighter than I was expecting for being a double barreled ale. To me, a name like DBA implies rich flavors slamming your palate, especially with this being a West Coast beer. Instead the beer was gently blended in a very subtle manner. The taste was much like the nose - sweet malts with light floral hops. Slightly bitter in the middle, as well. It almost reminded me of Fat Tire. This is a light bodied, medium flavored beer with ample carbonation. Mouthfeel was slightly smooth and velvety. Very nice.

D: I really enjoyed this one. For its' style, it's quite easy to drink and the high carbonation helped.

I can't wait to try the other FW's now!

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2008 02:13:10 | More by beachbum1975

davexisxrabid

California

4.13/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass and enjoyed! This brew poured a nice dark amber/copper color with a thin head that fizzled down quickly and left minimal lacing throughout the drinking.

Aroma was of sweet malts nicely balanced with some citrusy hops; reminded me of orange blossoms.

Bold sweet malt flavor, rendered bitter-sweet by the slight hop aftertaste. Mild alcohol presence throughout the drink.

Smooth mouthfeel, very well balanced with good carbonation that keeps this brew lively.

All in all, I would definitely have to say this is a good session beer; it has excellent flavor and an average abv making this perfect all night long or paired with some food.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2008 19:09:49 | More by davexisxrabid

OStrungT

California

4.13/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours a dark golden color with a thight tan head. the thin head fades slowly, leaving sparce lace.

This beer smells mildly of floral hops. I get a slight caramel sweet aroma. The aroma is pretty mild.

This beer tastes like it smells, with one exception. I get a slightly bready flavor as well.

This beer is crisp and refreshing. It is highly carbonated. It leaves a flroal aftertaste.

This beer would probably make a good session beer. It is mild and low in alcohol.

Overall: This is a good sessionable beer from a solid brewery. I am supprized that it took me so long to review it.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2011 02:03:59 | More by OStrungT

DM1293

California

4.13/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Taste - The hops are the first thing to hit you and then they immediately dissipate, leaving a lingering finish on the palate. There's no bitter aftertaste, so this Ale is all Bite and no Bark. Interestingly, as I got halfway through, the ale seemed to ease up on the sweet hoppy taste and pulled back into more of a malt taste.

Overall - Its a crisp refreshing brew thats strong, but very smooth and easy drinking. I wish there was a little more flavor to it, but its otherwise solid.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2012 02:25:47 | More by DM1293

smakawhat

Maryland

4.13/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a nonic pint glass. Bottled August 21st 2012.

A real nice pour brings a great dark copper red caramel body, crystal clear, hints of chestnut brown edges, a nice smorgasborg of colors. Head is off white, somewhat fluffy making three fingers, with some decent pinhead size consistency. A real classic looking pint.

Nose is filled with lots of wonderment. Toasty crispy malt backbone, with a sweet cinnamon. Hints of fruity esters. Caramel and strawberries. Real nice mix on the bouquet here, quite decent and impressive really digging this, and excited about what might come next.

Palate hits with a large but mellow tea herbal palate. Finishes clean with a light body and bringing the toast aromas found on the nose. Slightly grainy finish. Quenching. Mild sense of cream and a mellow oolong black tea like aftertaste, and lots leafy character.

Overall, from the nose to palate there is a little bit of minor disappointment but it's still a very solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 18:39:18 | More by smakawhat

Immortale25

Florida

4.11/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Special thanks to SatlyMalty for this, my first FW beer. Poured into a Ninkasi Brewing pint. No freshness date.

A- Pours a clean medium amber color with a 1/2 inch off-white bubbly head that retains a bit before becoming a thick ring around the edge of the glass and random assortments of surface foam.

S- Biscuity and doughy with a soft herbal hop aroma. Definitely smells like an English ale.

T- Bready malt with a touch of hop bitterness. Toasty, somewhat nutty. Very Easy to drink with a moderate amount of alcohol flavor. Faint caramel sweetness.

M- Very smooth with a moderate body. Medium carbonation.

O- A very good all-around brew that's spot on for the style. Excellent balance makes for easy drinking.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 00:07:33 | More by Immortale25

Mark

California

4.1/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Deep amber color, airy head that shrunk a bit, lacing was o.k.. Musty aroma that was malt dominating, not much hop aroma, some nuttiness. Very smooth, woodsy, malty, did I say smooth? Full bodied yet refreshing. A very English like ale. Quite drinkable. I think this might be more of a cooler weather brew, but it went down nice on our 12th day in a row of unseasonable warmth. Nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2004 21:02:59 | More by Mark

aforbes10

Iowa

4.1/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Reviewing from a whole sixer (just so i know i've gotten it right!) Pours a nice clear amber with good strong redness and a nice white puffy head. Smells of sweet biscuity malt and light green hops. Flavor is very smooth, with just a bit of bitterness on the finish. Mild caramel sweetness and hop flavor mix well together. Extremely smooth drinker, medium bodied for the style. Drinks very easily and tasty to boot.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2009 02:47:27 | More by aforbes10

chickencoop

California

4.1/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked this up on a roadie back from LA, went out of my way and went up the 101 instead of the 5 and was extremely glad I did, even though it took like 3 more hours. I love the DBA in 12oz. bottles, the perfect balance, but on tap, in a growler it was awesome, kind of finished it in about an hour. This is my favorite FW beer, becoming one of my stand-by's.

Serving type: growler

11-26-2009 21:02:39 | More by chickencoop

merryjoulton

Arkansas

4.1/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Visiting southern California and had to try something local so I chose this at a little bar around the corner. Came out with a nice half inch head that lingered and laced pretty nicely. Deep red copper color. Smell was very malty and crisp. Taste full of barley and bready goodness. Mouthfeel is full and great drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

08-15-2010 18:15:20 | More by merryjoulton

mithrascruor

California

4.1/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle poured into a mug.

Really, I haven't reviewed this before?

Appearance: Pours a slightly darker copper/amber color. Light off-white head turns to a film and leaves a bit of lacing.

Smell: Nice, slightly roasted, malty aroma with a bit of caramel and florals.

Taste: A very flavorful beer with some more earthy caramel and floral flavors up front. Some hoppy bitterness comes in later, with a hint of butter at the finish. Has an aftertaste of slightly bitter caramel.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and generally smooth. Quite a bit of carbonation, but it is pretty light.

Drinkability: Very drinkable with a good ABV.

I really enjoy this beer. It has a nice kick in the flavor department, with a good combination of almost heady malts with crisp hop flavors, yet done at a very moderate ABV. It is easy-to-find and affordable too.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2010 22:33:57 | More by mithrascruor

denver10

Colorado

4.1/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Nice, robust amber looking with a respectable head.

Smell is subtle but on the sweet, maltier side.

Taste....smooth and well balanced. The backbone of it seems to be some roasted malts paired with the sweetness of the malt and a little bit of some vanilla. Some hops present as there there is a little citrus flavor there, but no bitterness. Taste is distinct but low key.

Mouthfeel seems to be hovering betwee full and medium bodied and creamy. Really nice, imo.

Overall, one of my absolute favorite beers. It's a pretty simple beer but with some depth to that simplicity. My session beer of choice these days.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2011 16:16:10 | More by denver10