Firestone 16 - Anniversary Ale - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

joeseppy

Illinois

4.59/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

This sat on store shelves for months. Que?? After I delved into the Double Dba, I had to go back and pull the trigger on this one.

Cola perception with a head that fizzles away quickly, receding to the edges in a thin line formation. Soon that will be gone too as it comes up in temperature.

I could assimilate this all day long. Bananas fried in butter flambéed in Grand Marnier. Alcohol, light brown sugar, vanilla oaked tequila. Bourbon notes with a floral bouquet dusted with cocoa powder. A very complex libation, really, need I go on?

Taste of alcohol throughout entire sip or 'aggressive slurp'. My mind goes through a myriad of booze. Let's go...first I get the anejo tequila, shutterbox, as a camera, I get oaky bourbon, onto a delightful rye whiskey. A mellifluous sweetness with fig and dried cherry. Hoppy bitterness that is subdued in a dusty Dutch cocoa fashion. This is tremendously tremendous.

Some pucker from the cocoa and hops. Almost no carbonation at the ideal temperature.

You need to follow the manufacturers recommendation to drink this at the optimal 55F to fully enjoy the voluptuousness and intricate aromas and flavours.. Cold temp. proves to be bitter, untamed, raw and unsophisticated. The dynamics lend well to the pleasuring of the palate. This breaks down inhibitions and...tally ho.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 22:25:13 | More by joeseppy

Auztan

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -13.6%

06-18-2013 19:30:51 | More by Auztan

vitters03

Illinois

4/5  rDev -7.8%

06-18-2013 01:47:31 | More by vitters03

JamesGWittel

New Jersey

4.75/5  rDev +9.4%

06-18-2013 00:23:31 | More by JamesGWittel

DougFresh

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +15.2%

06-17-2013 01:58:59 | More by DougFresh

jaxon53

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev -2.1%

06-16-2013 19:43:37 | More by jaxon53

IndyDad

New York

4/5  rDev -7.8%

06-16-2013 02:37:32 | More by IndyDad

mcphish22

Maryland

4.75/5  rDev +9.4%

06-16-2013 01:39:44 | More by mcphish22

Buff0910

Alabama

5/5  rDev +15.2%

06-15-2013 22:14:45 | More by Buff0910

hooliganlife

Missouri

4.09/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

pours a cola brown, cloudy, dark, creamy head

rich vanilla and sweet bourbon. candied fruit and molasses

similar to nose, very smooth vanilla and oak bourbon. sweet candy and molasses with a touch of chocolate.

mild to moderate carbonation, a lot of burn on the gums and lips. the heat really reminds you this is 13% and barrel aged.

smooth, good stuff. a great evening sipper.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 14:23:26 | More by hooliganlife

beertunes

Washington

3.84/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Served in tulip. Poured an almost muddy dark brown, no translucence, but not really black either, with just under 1/2 inch of medium brown head that had low-to-medium retention and pretty good lacing.

The aroma was fantastic, lots of deep, rich malts, a hint of stone fruit, just a touch of yeast, and a barely noticeable alcohol scent. On the tongue though, the alcohol hit hard, fast, and sharp at the front. The blend of malts and fruit took possession of the middle, with alcohol and fruit sharing the finish.

The body was nicely smooth and even, and surprisingly dry for as sweet as it was. Drinkability was good, for such a big beer, but I probably wouldn't have 2 in a row. Overall, a great beer. A must try if you see it.

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2013 21:22:30 | More by beertunes

djre4orm

Virginia

4/5  rDev -7.8%

06-13-2013 18:22:04 | More by djre4orm

Ayelikebeer

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -2.1%

06-11-2013 01:33:36 | More by Ayelikebeer

straightlambic

California

4.5/5  rDev +3.7%

06-10-2013 16:31:01 | More by straightlambic

ajzy

Wisconsin

2.75/5  rDev -36.6%

06-09-2013 20:53:30 | More by ajzy

Zaximus

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +3.7%

06-09-2013 14:15:36 | More by Zaximus

RoryOMoore

New Jersey

4.75/5  rDev +9.4%

06-09-2013 02:45:15 | More by RoryOMoore

hopstermonster1

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +3.7%

06-08-2013 16:45:02 | More by hopstermonster1

jdklks

Nevada

4/5  rDev -7.8%

06-08-2013 15:02:07 | More by jdklks

fsck

Washington

4.75/5  rDev +9.4%

06-08-2013 04:52:03 | More by fsck

draheim

Washington

4.49/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

22oz into a tulip. Pours a murky mahogany brown w/ a thin beige head that settles to a transparent film of sea foam. No lacing but it does leave some boozy, sudsy legs on the glass with a swirl.

Aroma is a rich, complex blend of toffee, chocolate, bourbon, vanilla, dark brown sugar, molasses, and booze. Wowee zowee.

Taste, likewise, is complex and flavorful. Tons of dark sugars, bourbon, molasses, toffee, caramel, chocolate, vanilla, toasted coconut, rum-soaked pipe tobacco, and peaty smoky char.

Mouthfeel is thick and chewy, rich and dessert-like. A real sipper of a beer.

Overall, what else did we expect here but another masterpiece of blending and barrel aging by Firestone Walker? These guys know exactly what they're doing and they keep getting better at it.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2013 04:33:03 | More by draheim

BeerSnob1022

New Jersey

4.75/5  rDev +9.4%

06-07-2013 16:41:55 | More by BeerSnob1022

smitty5245

California

4.5/5  rDev +3.7%

06-07-2013 15:42:45 | More by smitty5245

DeutschesBier

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +3.7%

06-07-2013 14:19:42 | More by DeutschesBier

HoppyLuckyGoGo

California

4.5/5  rDev +3.7%

06-06-2013 19:42:39 | More by HoppyLuckyGoGo