Wookey Jack - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

far333

Connecticut

3.56/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Deep mahogany colored and opaque. A beige thick head settles out quickly. Low aroma of citrusy hops. Flavors of citrusy hops, morphing to orange rind pith, mix of pine and rye spice. Good balance of hops and malt, leaning more towards the hops, but good presence for the roasty dark malt. Rich and full mouthfeel, creamy, finishes a bit tannic. Good beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2013 22:37:17 | More by far333

AndyP612

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bomber poured to Darkness stem.

A- Dark. Black color with a light brown head that dissipates quickly. Looks very much so at home in the trusty Darkness glass I usually use to review at home.

S- Hops with rye highlights but predominately hop forward. Good, hearty nose one this ale seemingly on the sweeter side with the nose.

T- Nice hop bite towards the front. The rye balances things out toward the middle and ends in lovely rich malt. Extremely well balances with nothing coming out as the star. The three acts are definitely present Hops, Rye and Malt in this ale.

M- Extremely drinkable at 8.3% abv and the layers work very well with one another. Medium bodied with the malt staying with you after the sip slightly longer than the hops.

O- This is by far the best Black IPA I have had to memory because there is evidence that it is, in actuality is an IPA. I have become quite sick of ale claiming to be BIPAs and are really just black ale with no hops detectable in the nose or the palate. Would buy again. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 22:55:15 | More by AndyP612

stephens101

Oklahoma

4.46/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

A near pitch-black brew with a fantastic, rich, dark brown head. The herbal hops flow freely out of this one. Some dark fruity notes and faint caramel are noticed. Nothing out of the ordinary or complex with the aroma, just right on target. Caramel and bitter chocolates to the tongue and this one goes down smooth as hell. An herbal hop envelope helps provide a pleasant and non-threatening counterpoint to the sweetness. Some rye graniness and plum is noticed later. Medium-bodied at the most and the alcohol provides warmth but no harshness. Fabulous is end of the story.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 23:21:48 | More by stephens101

smooth_aleing

Pennsylvania

4.49/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Once again, Firestone Walker doesn't disappoint. Poured from a bomber into an over-sized wine glass.

Pours a deep, jet black with a thick, frothy, cream-hued head that stands at two fingers. Settles down to nice lacing, with a generous layer of head.

The smell is immediately of rye, which I love. Notes of pine, roasted malts. Nice earthy, meaty nose.

First taste notes are rye and hops, followed by lingering notes of toasted barley and hops. Sme lingering bitterness provides good balance.

Mouthfeel is nice, a good creamy feel with nice carbonation.

Overall, very nice. Definitely would drink this one again, and the balance of rye and hops is spot-on.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 01:25:16 | More by smooth_aleing

hitter114

Colorado

4.56/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

mmmm... Wookey

It has taken maybe a case of this to review it, but this time, poured from 22 into gulden draak tulip

A: Jet black, some mahogany, with thin white head nice lacing
S: Smells like hops, farm hops
T: Dank Hops up front, rye, malts and a little roast finish, very nice complex layering of flavors from a hybrid style
M: IPA Style mouth feel with a little roast on the roof of the mouth that lingers

O: A great beer that mixes a few beer styles. It almost takes the character of a hoppy porter at times, then at others a black ipa. Very nice, FSW

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 06:39:27 | More by hitter114

confer

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

What a fantastic beer.
Pours dark brown with a creamy tan head.
Smell is all citrus/piney hops but with a sweet smelling twist to it.
Is this its own style? Imperial Roggen American Black Ale?
The taste is just like the smell. A sugary sweetness starts things out but the mild hop bitterness quickly takes over and lingers.
Overall a really enjoyable beer and I am just a few sips into the bottle. This is worth the price and I will most likely look for it again.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 22:52:18 | More by confer

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.76/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass

Appearance – The beer pours a deep brown nearly pitch black color with a one finger tan colored head. The head fades relatively quickly leaving a nice level of lace on the sides of the glass.

Smell- The aroma is a blend of hoppy smells and more roasted smells as would be expected for a black IPA. The roasted smells are largely of a coffee and toasted malt aroma with the hop being predominantly of a pine and earthy smell. While these are the bulk aromas other aromas of grapefruit and chocolate find their way to the nose as well giving a rather robust and dark smelling brew.

Taste – The taste begins much heavier of lightly roasted malt and a rye flavor more than of anything else. Upfront there is only a lighter presence of a grapefruit citrus hop, but as the flavors advance this changes, with flavor of pine hop increasing in strength throughout the taste. A light chocolate flavor seems to come and go in the taste, being taken over in the end by an earthy hop flavor as well as some roasted coffee flavors. The roasted coffee gets quite potent toward the end, overshadowing the rest of the flavors, to leave a rather coffee bitter and moderately hoppy roasted flavor on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the brew was on the average side in terms of its thickness and creaminess with a carbonation level that was on the average side as well. A slightly thicker body may have been slightly better for the roasted flavors of the brew, but even so, the feel was quite all right.

Overall – A pretty decent black IPA, but nothing too outstanding in my mind. It ended with a bit too much coffee bitterness, which took away from much of the nice hop undertones that were present. It was worth the try, but not one I would go back to with any real occasion.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 00:46:07 | More by Darkmagus82

Bosoxfan20

Missouri

4.3/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Poured from a 22oz bomber bottle into a Speigelau IPA glass. A super dark brown/near black color with a thick 2 finger tan head. Great retention. One of the damn finest beers my eyes have seen

S- Pine hops, dank hoppy resins, touch of tabacco leaf, with some citrus, and a caramel malt presence.

T- Very smooth. Not a huge hop presence as expected, but maybe due to the age. If so, it ages just fine. Taste follows nose, but with a flavorful cross of pale and dark caramel malts that blends well with the earthy tone. Hops come back in the finish with the bitterness, accompanied by touch of rye spice.

M- Love the feel of this one. So creamy. Mid to full body. Smooth with lil to no alcohol detected.

O- Nothing wrong with this effort from FW. Quite an anticipation built up and i wasn't let down. Not sure what wookey dust is, but i seem to like it.

Bottled on 1/10/13
Consumed on 5/7/13

$7 for bomber bottle

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 21:47:32 | More by Bosoxfan20

dar482

New York

4.46/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The bottle is of decent age, brewed at 3/4/13, written on the bottom left of the label.

A light tan one finger head, almost like a milk stout. The color is pitch black with a bit of brown coming through at the edges as the head recedes quickly.

The aroma is of big grapefruit with pine, malted sweetness and rye, and citrus. Certaintly smells like an IPA. As it warms up, it’s more orange and fresh fruit.

The flavor is surprising. It has a big grapefruit bitterness like Double Jack and also juicy orange and citrus. Then with a smooth clean malt that comes behind it, which then leaves a grapefruit peel finish along with an orange candy sweetness. It leaves your mouth watering because it’s so quite dry and strong.

The malt profile instead of crystal malt like Double IPAs has more of this breadiness and caramel behind it instead of rounded stickiness. There’s also a rye spice in there like Hop Rod Rye. Quite prominent actually in the later part of the beer.

As this beer warms up, the roasted malt notes slowly come through along with the rye.

Quite a complex beer, but not too far from a Double IPA. I’ve only had this with Sublimely Self Righteous, which I really did not like at all. This on the other hand is a really complex and delicious. For a rye beer, I think I like Hop Rod Rye more, but just slightly. This really is an impressive beer. Not shockingly different enough from a Double IPA for me to really go crazy for it about the style however.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 03:56:13 | More by dar482

Damian

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Drank from a 1 pint, 6 fl oz (650ml) bottle
Bottled on: 02/18/13
Served in a pint glass

Dark mahogany appearance. The liquid was topped by a tight, creamy, two-finger, beige colored crown that slowly receded to a resilient cap of foam. Thick patches of lacing stuck along glass. As the liquid fell, the patches transformed into a curtain of froth.

While this beer is listed as an American black ale, the aroma was dominated by IPA-like characteristics. Quite hoppy with strong citrus notes. Orange peel was apparent. Slightly sweet. Somewhat piney. A touch of chocolate and roasted malts were noticeable in the background. Hints of a dry, powdery yeastiness came through as well.

The flavor profile was quite similar to nose. Very hoppy and crisp. Lots of citrus. Hefty dose of orange peel. Touch of sweetness. Pine notes came through strong on the back end. The finish was crisp, dry and bitter with intense, lingering notes of pine resin. Although the beer looked dark and malty, I picked up no indication of any roasted or chocolate malts.

The mouthfeel was lighter bodied than anticipated. Smooth, creamy and soft on the palate with a crisp, bubbly, medium effervescence.

This American black ale leans much more in the direction of an IPA than a dark ale of any type. While it lacked some complexity, it was flavorful and quite drinkable. All in all, a respectable offering from Firestone Walker.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 02:14:53 | More by Damian

RaulMondesi

California

3.76/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

Surprising. Not walk in on your best friend and girlfriend surprising, but a lil off the beaten path. Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, this bad boy flies around for a while - but like John Daly, it ends up being pretty par for the course. A lil dark, a lil hoppy, a lil boom boom in the zoom zoom, and a lil too bitter in the end. Raul doesn't mind popping it, but like my fish oils every morning, it won't be a daily thang.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 04:32:02 | More by RaulMondesi

spoony

Colorado

4.15/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

From a 650 ml bomber (dated March 15, 2013) into a globe glass.

A-This is a good looking beer. The tan head is tall at two-plus fingers, pillowy, and slow to fade. A nice curtain of lace is left behind on the glass, too. The brew is nearly black and mostly opaque.

S-I detect a fair amount of spice and some herbal notes, but also a lot of citrus fruit like orange, grapefruit, and lemon. There is a little hint of cocoa and chocolate, but don't go looking for heavy malt influence because it isn't here.

T-The taste is more spicy, dank, and bitter than the smell. I lose a lot of the citrus. There is also more cocoa/chocolate from the malts and just a hint of dark-roasted bitterness. Alcohol is mostly concealed.

M-The feel is medium bodied with a fine carbonation that gives a soft bite, but mostly lays low.

O-I never know what to expect from black IPAs, but this was a good one for the sort-of spicy meal I had. Anyway, this good-looking brew leans heavily toward the hop end of things and fans of rye spice should enjoy. On the other hand, if you like a little more chocolate/malty flavor in your black ale, you might be better served elsewhere. Final note, for an ABV of 8.3% the alcohol remains well hidden.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 03:02:05 | More by spoony

atigerlife

Hawaii

4.28/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

For those not from CA...Bevmo is like heaven!!!

Pours a dark brown with light highlights. Good size brown head that is creamy and fluffy. Good lasting power.

Aroma of hops, malts, bread.

Taste is grapefruit, malt, piney and some light wood in the background.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied, much lighter than expected. Cleansing.

Overall, a very drinkable beer. Very enjoyable. Very refreshing. Really like this one!

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 01:32:35 | More by atigerlife

brewtus

Ohio

4.6/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured 22oz into tulip

A- pours black with a nice two finger light beige head
S- piney hops, some coffee, roasted malt, some chocolate, floral (weird combo right?)
T/M-starts with a dry toasty smokiness, leads into a nice warm hop flavor complimented with some dry rye. Finishes with chocolate, coffee, and smoke like a porter. Texture is just thicker than an ipa, as expected.
O- this is one of the best black IPAs I've ever had, the smell and taste are just amazing, west coast style ipa mixed with Midwest style porter. it's flavors balance out perfectly, not too bitter, not too dry, not too roasty, and not too hoppy, very uniqueand extremely enjoyable. Got this in a trade and really wish I had access to get this again.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 01:09:15 | More by brewtus

jjboesen

Maryland

4.51/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Since my first sip of Firestone Walker’s Union Jack (See Review), I have been a fan of this fantastic brewer – this is the same Firestone that makes tires. Concurrently was my newfound love of the Black IPA; naturally, the two would meet in the guise of Wookey Jack.

It opens with a fast and furious rush of froth; it settles slowly into a pitch black body capped by a beige froth. While the nose reeks of a pine forest, the taste is rather semi-sweet and reinforced by an aggressive molasses toastiness that retreats into a grassy finale.

The mouthfeel is spectacular: it is perfectly balanced, smooth, sweet and dry – all at the same time! This Wooky is an excellent brew that covers all the bases and a wonderful addiction.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 23:33:42 | More by jjboesen

kangarooAdam59

Pennsylvania

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

Thanx SammyJaxxx:

Bottled on 12/14/2012:

Into a pint glass:

A: black body with a three finger off-white foamy head, leaves some clingy slightly foamy lacing in rings

S: slight roasted coffee, there is some rye, slight citrus/pine coming through in a spicy sort of way

T: mainly bitter, some slight coffee - but mainly subdued, hopped - yes, but balanced and extremely flavorful, dry yet bittersweet aftertaste and finish

M: medium, sessionable - maybe perhaps, ABV slightly felt

O: I'd say this is very good for a Black Ale and I would come back to this quicker than other Black ales though I'm not a super fan on the style

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 12:12:30 | More by kangarooAdam59

BrianScottK

New York

4.31/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a tulip glass.

It's certainly black. Can't see any light at all through it when holding it up to a bulb. Smells of sourdough and chestnuts. Sweet and malty on the fore with hints of currents and charred bread. Sweetness gives way to a perfect, relatively intense floral hoppiness. So smooth on the tongue that the 8.3% ABV doesn't even register.

One of the most well-balanced beers I've tasted. I'd recommend it to any IPA-guzzling hop-head as well as anyone who loves a good porter or doppelbock.

Great beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 01:08:07 | More by BrianScottK

blankust

Oklahoma

4.6/5  rDev +8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

served from bottle into chalice style glass

Odor: piney, hoppy aroma
Appearance: black with 2 finger mocha colored head, plenty of lacing
Taste: nice citrusy start, very smooth, hops throughout, can fell 8.3% warming at end, spicy on tip of tongue, can taste molasses as beer warms.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 02:25:56 | More by blankust

kawilliams81

Illinois

4.14/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a Lost Abbey teku.

A- pours black with a 2" tan head. Thick trails and latches of lacing cover the glass.

S- chocolate, light roast, spice, good amount of pine.

T- semi sweet chocolate, some light roasted malts, mint from the pine/chocolate combo, and pine bitterness.

M- medium body and carbonation. Nice smooth feel with light acidity at the finish.

O- very good black ipa. Great balance of chocolate, roast and pine.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 04:15:21 | More by kawilliams81

Steamer

Missouri

4.69/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Pours a dark brown, chocolate color with a one-finger beige head. Nice lacing. The strong hops and rye smells hit hard like fresh pine needles; citrus overtones. The taste follows the smell up front but it is remarkably smooth. A robust, full hops burst but not at all harsh; becomes bitter as expected at the end. Medium mouth feel, like a porter more than a dark IPA. This one goes on the favorite list as one to always have at the ready!

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 00:25:11 | More by Steamer

MattSweatshirt

Texas

4.25/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Bomber dated 03/04/13

Pours out looking like a stout with a black body you can’t see any light through and a khaki head. Great lacing and good head retention.

Sweet citrus fruit and pine hop aromas. The rye peeks through with a nice little spice.

The taste opens with a hit of hop flavor and bitterness upfront and the bitterness lingers throughout the taste which is nice. This thing is heavily hopped. Big citrus and pine flavors. The malts come through nicely as well providing rye spiciness, roastedness, and breadiness.

Medium bodied and carbonated. Goes down smooth. Very nice.

I’m glad Firestone Walker is now available in Texas. This beer is superb. Haven't had much to compare it to in the Black IPA category, but it is delicious. The added rye is a nice touch.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 05:00:20 | More by MattSweatshirt

McStagger

California

4.58/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Black IPA is a bit of misnomer, no?

A: Decadent espresso brown. Two finger mocha brown head. Retention is moderate. Lacing is excellent. Hard to gauge carbonation due to extremely dark, murky nature of the beer. Looks like a damn porter.

S: Does not smell like a damn porter, that's for sure. Actually, it does have some characteristics. Roasted notes, bit of toffee and mocha. The hops are less citric or pine and quite a bit more stone fruit and tropical fruit. Pineapple, mango, also bits of stone fruit. Fairly strange combination of scents, but it works.

T: Slam of hop bitterness integrates beautifully into coffee bitterness throughout the mid palate. The rustic aspect of the rye really accentuates the coffee notes. This bitterness extends into the finish, with some serious fruit flexing through on the end. Extremely fruity essence on the end, with stone fruit becoming much more dominant. Almost like fresh peach. This subsides and you're left with that lingering coffee bitterness. The oily hop bitterness again plays very well with the coffee.

M: Soft, without being cloying. Full bodied without being unctuous. Very balanced, with the carbonation standing up just enough to the fairly weighty malt and hop bill. No alcohol detected.

O: Amazing beer, pure and simple. I feel lucky to live so close to this amazing brewery. While some of their beers are uninspired (looking at you, 805), Firestone proves time and time again that they are simply one of the best breweries in the world.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 07:10:46 | More by McStagger

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

4.19/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Pours deep brown with a tan full head that leaves nice sticky lace. Skim retention.

Malt aroma is not toasty or smoky, or even a bit spicy. Some resinous hop notes, and malt. Nice.

Nice firm hop presence up front. Immediately bitter, with some charred notes and a spicy bitter bite as the palate clears. The dark roasted malt has no sweetness, or if it does the hops just crush it. Spicy rye gives this some nice balance.

Medium bodied, nice carbonation.

Nice brew from this brewer. This is a style that is tough to do right. They hit this just right, and are hop-strong. The off-balance here is actually appropriate and works well. Not overly boozy, and no off flavors. Well structured beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 23:36:46 | More by OtherShoe2

Pinknuggets

Vermont

4.18/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Bottle to rock art pint glass

A:very dark brown could be black when not up to the light it is completely opaque it has a small tan head that leaves a thick heavy lacing around the top of the glass. Pretty much what I want to see from a black ipa without being unreal

S: pretty hoppy upfront lots of resiny piney hop aromas there are definitely some notes of rye an dark malts but they are definitely in the background as the hops are pretty dominant even as the beer starts to warm the hop smell remains strong though fades a little

T: follows the nose and it is very hoppy up front an has a big hop bitterness and resin up front, but once that fades there is a significant dark malt presence it has a sweetness to it but the is also there with a fairly heavy presence of the rye mixed in with the malt that almost overpowers the bitterness of the hops in the finish but does not completely overtake the flavor. Though I would not describe it as well balanced.

M: it goes down pretty smooth the hops do leave a somewhat resinous feel to it but that does not necessarily last as it would with a standard hoppy ipa. It is thin and pretty light considering the abv which is not really noticeable at all as this beer is pretty drinkable.

O:This is definitely one of the best black ipa's I've had the rye definitely helps this beer stand out as difference but I am happy to say I liked this after being somewhat underwhelming by union and double jack. I highly recommend this beer a quality offering from firestone walker

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 03:05:21 | More by Pinknuggets

hreb

Washington

4.44/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Yeasty aroma accompanied by a serious punch of green hops. Centennial, Amarillo? [almost: website says Citra & Amarillo] Beer itself is nearly opaque black with just a tinge of reddish brown when held up to direct light. Extra large brown head. Flavor is a really smooth, almost creamy, full-on rye IPA. The robust edge in the rye flavor is complemented perfectly by the healthy IBU quotient, though I don't think there's anything roasty or otherwise blackened in the flavor to suggest the black Lovibond rating. It's even a little bit citrusy.

22oz bottle with "12/14/12 09:20" printed on the bottom left. Highly recommended. Among the best rye IPAs I've ever had. Must try side by side with Lenny's some time. (interesting side note: though this is 83% as alcoholic as Lenny's, it's about a third as viscous.)

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 03:45:22 | More by hreb