Firestone 16 - Anniversary Ale - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

UCLABrewN84

California

4.03/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to MaxStout for sharing this one at jmgrub's birthday tasting.

Pours a clear dark orange with a foamy biege head that settles to an oily film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, brown sugar, caramel, toffee, and alcohol. Taste is much the same with a sugary flavor and an alcohol kick on the finish. There is a mild amount of woody bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp and dry mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that is tasty but probably my least favorite of the Anniversary beers thus far.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 02:14:27 | More by UCLABrewN84

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in an Illinois State shaker pint glass.

Now that the tacos and whatnot have been consumed, howzabout a digestif? This stuff pours a deep ruby-black-brown topped by a finger of dark khaki foam. The nose comprises roasted malts, whiskey, dry oak, toasted caramel, a hint of coffee, light dark greens, and a kiss of pine sap. The taste brings in more of the same, with a stronger contingent of green, leafy hops. Interestingly, though all components return, they don't express themselves as harmoniously as before, instead opting to individually spiking up against each other at various points. The body is a hefty medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a sorta/kinda dry finish. Overall, a solid blend, one that's generally enjoyable, but one that also suffers from a lack of refinement. Perhaps a bit of age would do this beer well, but as things stand now, it's good but not great.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 19:20:23 | More by TMoney2591

zeff80

Missouri

4.23/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Christmas dinner 2012

A - Poured out an opaque, jet black color with a one-finger, off-white head of foam. It left thin sheets of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of vanilla and oak. Some dark chocolate notes, too.

T - It tasted of roasted malts, vanilla, oak, bourbon, toffee and a touch of bitter hops. Fairly boozy, too.

M - It was smooth and clean finish. A medium to full bodied brew.

O - This is fantastic. Firestone Walker's anniversary beers have all been great.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 22:16:16 | More by zeff80

MasterSki

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Local Option. Served in a snifter.

A - Tan foam settles to a partial cap and thick collar, leaving behind splotchy lace. Brown body with some ruby transparency when held to the light. Impressive for a 13% barrel-aged blend.

S - Roasty, with some chocolate an coffee notes and mild oak. Fairly stout-like this year, but with some obvious English malt influences, as well as a decidedly English approach to the barrel-aging; oxidized fruits and mild vanilla in addition to dry wood.

T - The taste is similar, with a mixture of roasty stout, vanilla, molasses, dark fruits, and chocolate, with a milder barrel influence than the aroma. The tequila is thankfully understated and creeps in late, although it does assert itself more as the beer warms with a spicy faux hop herbaceous vibe to it. Booze comes out a bit as this warms, and this gets a tad heavy and fatiguing.

M - Dry, roasty, and tannin heavy, with a medium-full body, and fairly restrained carbonation. Alochol is reasonably well-concealed, making this a smooth drinker even with the grainy and oak-heavy texture.

D - I enjoyed this more than the disappointing XV, as I dug the heavier roast stout flavors and the restraint on the vanilla. This also doesn't have cloying sugary sweetness and oxidization like last year. I was a bit skeptical about the blend, but the tequila integrated better than expected. I'd be curious to try this again, but I don't anticipate it will age that well, as it's decidedly mellow to begin with. Probably too pricey for me to splurge on though, as there are beers I enjoy more at half the price. It took me a while to work through the snifter.

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2012 03:43:03 | More by MasterSki

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.38/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Picked up in Pineville, MO

Pours an effervescent ebony with 2 fingers of tan head. Stellar lacing & average head retention

S: Dark fruit, a touch of booze

T: Figs, raisins, a bit of dark chocolate & then a touch of port, & a hint of boozey cakeyness up front. Bourbon elbows its way forward as this warms, some toffee, figs, black currant & cherry (boozey bing cherries). Finishes slightly dry, with rich dark fruit, a little vanilla, caramel & chocolate, just a bit of leafy hops & booze coming through

MF: Chewy, ever so slight carbonation, sticky, much warming

Pretty easy to drink despite the heft & complexity. I really nice effort, not cheap by any means, but I'd buy again if given a chance. I'm so thrilled we have Firestone Walker in the near-by Show Me state!

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2012 03:42:56 | More by russpowell

emerge077

Illinois

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

Poured into a mini nonic pint, compact thin cap of tan foam, arcs of lacing in the glass. Lasting skim across the surface, breaks after a few sips.

Toffee and plantains in caramel sauce. Slight hint of booze.

Chocolate and caramel, toffee, vanilla sweetness up front. Dry barrel tannins in the aftertaste. Full bodied though easily drinkable. Very smooth and a little viscous. Overall it's well blended and easily drinkable now... not going to improve with cellaring, so drink em if ya got em.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 00:31:44 | More by emerge077

Halcyondays

California

4.3/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Beachwood I,

A: Pours a deep brown with a light tan head, some lace, good head retention.

S: Lots of barrel character, bourbon, sugar cane, sweet brown sugar. Reminiscent of the 11.

T: Delicious malt flavour. Vanilla, some roast, lots of barrel/whiskey notes. Very well done, the best fresh since the 12 in my opinion.

M: Full-bodied, but never feels heavy. No real alcohol burn which is impressive. Soft, guiding carbonation.

O: As I said, the best fresh since the 12, a good beer, though I was never really spellbound with this one as I was with the 11 and the 12. The bomber price is far too much, but I loved trying this on-tap at a much better price point. It'll be interesting to see where this goes, since the boozier ones seemed to age better, i.e 13.

Serving type: on-tap

12-08-2012 00:22:57 | More by Halcyondays

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.48/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured a dark brown with a small tannish head which quickly fades leaving spotty lacing on the sides of the glass.

S: I get big notesa of caramel, toffee, a booze stings the nostrils. There is a light woodiness, vanilla and cocont with a subtle tequila note

T: Immediate heat. Hints of caramel, toffee and chocolate appear initially with some subtle dark fruits, vanilla, wood and coconut. There is a unique stinging quality to this beer, I do detect a very trace amount of tequila. The finish is warming, robust, silky and rather clean/dry

M: Full bodied, well carbonated. Loads of flavor that do not complete which was my biggest pet peeve against FW15.

O: Probbaly my favorite of the series only behind FW11 and FW13.

Serving type: growler

12-15-2012 18:39:34 | More by barleywinefiend

mdfb79

New York

4.1/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

From 03/15/13 notes.

a - Pours a deep dark brown color with one inch of light tan head and moderate carbonatioin evident.

s - Smells of coffee, toffee, roasted malts, chocolate, espresso, alcohol, bourbon, oak, and vanilla. Loads of coffee up front and alcohol isn't too strong; pretty nice nose.

t - Tastes of coffee, alcohol, vanilla, roasted malts, chocolate, toasted malts, toffee, caramel malts, oak. More vanilla and alcohol than the nose, and less toffee. Nice but liked the nose a little better.

m - Medium to thick body and moderate carbonation. Body is pretty smooth with some light alcohol heat keeping it from being great.

o - Overall a nice strong ale with loads of coffee. Alcohol is prominent in the taste; like the other years this will probably get better with some age. Might buy 1 bottle to lay down for 1-2 years but unsure; will depend on what price I can get it at.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 20:01:29 | More by mdfb79

Zorro

California

4.53/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Clear deeply brown colored ale with a small brown colored head. Amazing it can form a head at this alcohol level.

Smells the moment you pop it open of fig, brown sugar and whiskey. Strong vanilla aroma.

Whiskey, coconut, licorice, chocolate, and cherry are all quite strong. This is an intensely aromatic ale and the best thing I have smelled all year.

Starts out sweet, a strong flavor of chocolate, vanilla and coconut in the mouth with a lingering vanilla and caramel candy after taste. Intensely flavorful, this seems to be much more finished than last years version. Little bit of oak and butter are present. Bourbon is present but pleasantly so, this isn't a beer that tries to hide its strength, it boldly lets you know it is strong. Very tasty.

Mouthfeel is good.

Overall this is a damn tasty beer. No reason to age this one, it is ready now.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 03:10:39 | More by Zorro

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.55/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark chestnut brown color that appears pitch black and opaque in the glass with a two finger beige head that quickly settles into a thin, lasting ring. Decent retention considering the style and high ABV with sporadic spotty lacing left behind.

Complex, yet very inviting nose with a strong barrel presence that seems nicely integrated into the characteristics of the individual base beers of the blend. There's a nice toasted oak presence giving off hints of damp wood, vanilla, marshmallow and toasted coconut. This is accompanied by various spirits but bourbon seems to dominate. Sweet and spicy with some rye whiskey and brandy. Tequila barrels were used in the PNC portion of the blend but I can't really pick any of that up in the nose. Five of the eight beers in the blend were aged in bourbon barrels so that naturally dominates yet I can still pick out brandy and other spirit notes.

Although the barrel presence is strong it doesn't dominate the aroma allowing elements of the various stouts, barleywines and strong ales to stand out. There's a nice balance of sweet, earthy and roasted malt notes along with spicy rye and a complex hop profile. There's a decent leathery malt presence that's complimented by resinous, earthy hops that give off hints of grass and pine needle. I'm also picking up a faint citrus hop presence after the beer warms up a bit. Roasted coffee bean, burnt toast and oatmeal are countered by a silky dark chocolate presence as well as some caramel, toffee and fudge/chocolate cake.

Fuller bodied than expected with a surprising amount of carbonation. Viscous and chewy with a ton of intense barrel flavor which lingers over the various malt and hop flavors into a sweet, slightly hot finish. There is a strong bourbon barrel component but it isn't as dominant as it is in the nose. Lots of dry, toasted oak as well as some vanilla, coconut, subtle vinous fruit and a touch of ash. The bourbon presence is sweet and spicy without being overly boozy or abrasive. The brandy, spicy rye whiskey and other spirit flavors come through but I'm still not picking up much tequila. I would have never guessed that those barrels were used if I didn't read it in the description. Underneath the barrel flavors, there is a complex malt bill and a balanced hop profile that surprisingly stands out in the finish. I wasn't expecting as much barleywine character but it really stands out with leathery malt, bitter, earthy hops and vinous dark fruit flavor. These flavors are complimented by an assortment of sweet and roasted malt notes from the brown ale, black IPA and various stouts used in the blend. Sweet, silky chocolate/dessert like notes along with caramel, toffee and vinous fruit balanced by burnt malt, oatmeal, roasted espresso bean and toast. There is so much going on here and even though the Wookey Jack is only a very small portion of the blend(4.5%), the spicy rye, roasted malt and complex hop profile of that beer really stand out, especially in the finish with dry bitterness, earthy pine and subtle citrus.

Overall, this beer is pretty exceptional and drinks way too smoothly for something of it's complexity and strength. There are a lot of bold flavors bouncing off of one another but nothing seems to dominate. Something new is found in each sip and everything seems to go together perfectly. Finally, it's hard to fathom that this beer is 13%. Drinkability is a term that gets loosely thrown around but this beer is truly dangerous. I don't know how they did it but the blend they came up with expertly masks the high alcohol content. Sure, there is lots of alcohol flavor/sweetness but there's hardly and heat with just a bit of warmth in the finish. I usually enjoy the FW anniversary beers over the course of an hour but I had to slow myself down with this one. Another exemplary barrel aged/blended beer from the crew at Firestone Walker.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 08:23:38 | More by corby112

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

4.21/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Thanks to Reno Dave for bringing this beer (and so many others!) to the March Madness bottle share.

Poured out a black color that didn't have the thickness/viscosity normally associated with such a beer (stout). Instead, I'm already thinking this was more of a barleywine blend with some Parabola thrown in giving the beer its color. Very thin tan head in the 1/8" range.

Deep caramel inhalation occurs, comes off a bit like Melange3 in the nose. Booze hidden to the nose. Picking up bourbon and chocolate. Oak, vanilla.

Taste wise gets plenty complex, caramel, chocolate, warming alcohol sensation, more vanilla, coconut, oak, bourbon. A little bit sweet, far from overly sweet, pretty much the right amount for this guy. Liquid cracker jacks. Body isn't too heavy, seems to be a bit of the lighter body barleywine (blonde) thing going for it. Just a touch of smoke and citric hops to it as well.

Unfortunately, this beer costs over $20 a bottle, so it gets weighed down in terms of value. Is it damn good? Yes. Damn expensive? Somewhat. Spoil yourself once in awhile, but I won't exactly be chasing this one down all over town. Would recommend to those who can afford.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 16:51:44 | More by Beerandraiderfan

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.33/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

On tap at Max's the other day.

The beer pours a very dark brown color with good head retention and lacing. The nose is attractive in this one, as I pick up considerable vanilla, milk chocolate, a hint of maraschino cherry and light bourbon. The beer smells as if it will be pretty sweet/rich, which of course it is. The flavor profile replicates the nose, and I'm really picking up a lot of milk chocolate, vanilla and light bourbon. It's pretty damn tasty, no doubt, but the beer does have a bit of heat on the finish (from the 13% abv. no doubt), that mars the flavor profile somewhat. Mouthfeel is fairly full and soft, though the beer doesn't come across as heavy or tiring on the finish (which is surprising in a beer that is so rich and high in alcohol). Pretty hard to imagine ever having more than small glass of this, given the sweetness and high alcohol, but there's no doubt this is another tasty, impressive beer from FW.

Serving type: on-tap

03-11-2013 12:08:52 | More by johnmichaelsen

dirtylou

Washington

4.33/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

22oz bomber, oversized snifter

Nice garnet-mahogany body, light creamy head with minimal retention. An interesting blend, and quite different than previous anniversary releases. Obviously, FW nails the barrel aging component. They are second to none in that category. Waves of brandy, bourbon, and wood but not as overpowering as in the past. I really get the barleywine and double DBA coming through strong - lots of tropical hops buried beneath layers of chocolate, malt, and rich decadence.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 22:04:49 | More by dirtylou

DefenCorps

Oregon

3.18/5  rDev -26.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottle from Whole Foods. Split with my dad on Christmas Eve.

Pouring a very dark brown with a thin brown head with decent retention but poor lacing, this is about on par for the course. The nose is solid. Very boozy with some caramel, cocoa, light Vietnamese coffee. Lots of oak, rather tannic with the double DBA component quite noticeable - pale English malt, mildly caramelized. Some vanilla, brandy and mild tequila notes are apparent. 


The palate is poorly integrated. In the past, the thinness of these anniversary beers hasn't bothered me, but this time, it does. Caramel, toffee, sweetened mild chocolate, mild coffee, some brandy, plenty of bourbon, some vanilla- all components that i typically enjoy -just don't mesh here. Astringent booze and oak, especially on a sweet finish, make this harsh. The brandy fruitiness is one component that does work reasonably well here, but again, at this price point, i expected more. Medium-light in body, moderately boozy and astringent, this beer is mildly carbonated and does improve with time to breathe. The finish is long, tannic and boozy with some sweetness. Decent, I think this will improve in the short term, but I don't intend to buy any more, especially at the $1/oz price point.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 03:04:54 | More by DefenCorps

smakawhat

Maryland

4.39/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured from the bottle into a large snifter glass.

A real nice dark walnut brown, with lots of red edges to it. Makes a creamy light tan one finger top from the pour with some real microscopic bubbles to it. Fairly impressive looking if basic.

Bouquet hits with a good amount of heat. Sense of raspberry, cherry, red fruits and dark raisins. Splintery wood sensations. Touch of vanilla hides in the back just barely.

Mouthfeel is the most noticeable on first sip. Extremely silky and roasty palate. Hits of chared roast with a creamy chocolate sense. Fruit angle of cherry seems to wash over real nicely too. Nice round oak body. Doesn't taste boozy either.

Overall it's just a real simple but good tasting aged brew, with hardly any hint that this comes in at a whopping 13 percent abv. Tastes like a roasty barleywine.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 03:57:13 | More by smakawhat

FosterJM

California

3.65/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

1620th Review on BA
Bottle to FW snifter
22oz

2012 release
Purchased for $22.99 at Party house, Chino Hills

App- Out of the bottle this had a ton of browns and deep reds behind it. When held to the light it had a really good and deep center. Fairly dense all the way around with a little bit of a lighter edge. I was very suprised to see no cling or lace. Ring of 1/8" tan bubbles.

Smell- A lot going on. When I started reading the letter in the box, I can see why this was so complex. Overall after it warms from the 53F I opened it at, I pick up oak, char, malts, whispy booze with some oatmeal and a bit of the tequilla, balanced out by a subtle bitter and a dark chocolate aroma. Alot went into this blend, but just not doing it for me.

Taste- Well I was super excited for this bottle. Although it's not as good as 13-15. This was a bit grainy with a interesting booze mix. All of the barrel characters bring a little bit of something to the party. It's fairly woody, grainy and even some of the prickly tequilla comes out. Heavy malts with oak and earty char. A balance of the chocolate and oatmeal is there with Merkin being most of the final blend though.

Mouth- It was a fairly creamy body with tinges of the prickliness of the body with a bit of chocolate, oatmeal and oaky char. The carbonation was medium but just was better than the body.

Drink- I would say this is probably my least favorite of the anniversary blends. I will also say I didnt have (10-12) This one and the blend just didnt do it for me. I will probably try to find another bottle to sit on but not expecting miracles from it.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 16:38:42 | More by FosterJM

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.43/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

this is just sensational stuff. came in a box for 19 bucks with a two sided r page of notes about the blending process. wow, this defines craft to me, maybe a little over the top by some standards, but you have to be impressed by this level of attention to detail. the beer pours dark and a tad silty into a wine glass. its glowing red and brown and caramel and black all at once, with a quarter inch of tan bubbles that dont go anywhere and are easily reinvigorated with a gentle swirl of the glass. the nose is real intense, tons of booze and wood, dead giveaway for a blended beer. lots of stout it seems like here, big roasty malt profile behind all that bourbon, some definite rye too from the wookie jack. flavor is more hoppy than expected, and the small portion of tequilla barrel aged brew comes right up to the top of the flavor spectrum here. it almost starts and ends like a shot of nice tequilla. so much complexity here, oak, chocolate, heavy handed american hop varieties. just a wonderful glass of beer, with alcohol strength just radiating throughout. the feel is taken over by the booze. if you hold it it your mouth for a few seconds, its akin to licking a 9volt battery, caustic and electric. not to say thats a bad thing, because it works here, almost necessary to cut through the layers of flavor and bring a man back to earth. full body obviously, but not undrinkable in feel, just in strength for me at least. great bottle to share with other beer enthusiasts. its stuff like this that cements firestone walker near the top of the brewing hierarchy in my mind. not a hair out of place. this is a series i wait for every year, and it just keeps getting better. do not miss it.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 21:47:05 | More by StonedTrippin

tdm168

North Carolina

4.44/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to jtd1969 for sharing this gem!

A - black with a thin, brown head that has great retention

S - bourbon, raisins, prunes, sweet malt

T - chocolate, roasty, candy sugar, raisins, prunes, figs, bourbon, warming alcohol

M - full bodied, warm, well carbonated

This was an awesome beer! I don't how these creative geniuses pulled it off, but mixing all these different beers together works superbly. In both the nose and the flavor I get a lot of the English Barleywine characteristics such as the dark fruit and sugary malts. I also get some faint roasted malts notes that come through. The malt also offered some nice chocolate notes as well. The bourbon played nice and lent some balance to the whole mash-up. I am so glad my friend shared this one with me!!!!

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 01:14:44 | More by tdm168

Jwale73

Rhode Island

4.13/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Thanks to newbrewbb for not only sharing this, but buying me one for my cellar to boot! Served in a tulip. Pours the color of cola with ruby highlights around the base when backlit. Head is a quarter inch, loose and cream-colored and quickly disperses into a thin band around the shoulders. Great nose - malty, buttery, coconut, vanilla notes and a boozy quality. Taste consistent with nose with the addition of a pleasant cocoa presence. Mouthfeel is a bit thin for this beer in my opinion. Medium-light in body (but closer to the lighter end of the spectrum) with a carbonation that is a little too assertive and a hint of alcohol heat at the finish. Overall, a very good blend. The nose and the flavors are great; however, the mouthfeel, specifically the carbonation level, detracts slightly from the overall experience. I definitely plan on cellaring a bottle for at least a year to see how it develops with some time.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 00:48:17 | More by Jwale73

ngeunit1

California

4.65/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a dark black with a bit of brown around the edges and a finger of frothy tannish head. The head fades down at a fairly quick pace leaving behind some nice lacing.

S - Aroma is a mix of sweet caramel and dark caramel malts, oak, vanilla, Bourbon, tequila, chocolate, roasted malts, brown sugar, toasted coconuts, dark fruits, Brandy, and a bit of booze.

T - Starts off with a mix of dark caramel malts, vanilla, tequila, dark fruits, and some toasted coconut. Through the middle, the oak, Bourbon, Brandy, chocolate, roasted malts, brown sugar, and bit of citrus hop. The finish is a mix of dark caramel malts, dark fruit, oak, vanilla, toasted coconuts, Bourbon, Brandy, Tequila, chocolate, molasses, and booze.

M - Full bodied with mild carbonation. Feels smooth with a sweet and warming finish.

D - Very drinkable. Amazing blend of flavors. Very complex but still has a great deal of smoothness.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2012 06:58:29 | More by ngeunit1

Suds

Pennsylvania

4.79/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

This beer is an experience, one to be slowly enjoyed...sipped, savor end, and contemplated. It is dark, ruddy brown, and just slightly carbonated. A thin, slim head sits on top...quickly fading. The taste is where this beer grabs you, and truly doesn't let go. Adjectives come to mind - enveloping, layered, complex, expansive, wow. It is sweet, malty, boozy, and very oaky. Earthy, yet refined. Dark fruit, cocoa, fig, and smoke. It is hard to describe because the date changes and reveals ever more complexity with every sip. Warming and, at times, numbing. Full in body, even luxurious. The taste hangs on the tongue long after the drink. Exceptional.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 02:26:02 | More by Suds

maximum12

Minnesota

4.88/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Thanks to DocJitsu & SalukiAlum for answering my sad & pathetic call for the most current Firestone Anniversary beer. If there was one brewery I could bring to the shelves & bars of Minnesota...22 oz. bottle split with my wife. I'll sneak a whole bomber for myself when she's not looking, later.

Pour is darker than I recall the last beauties, red to the tune of matte night. I pick my nose, then put it in the beer, & it's fairly quiet. Very sweet, vanilla, barrel. Oh goody.

Firestone Walker XVI is a fucking work of art straight out of the gate. Holy crap ass-monkey, I'm not even sure where to begin. A listing of tastes isn't going to begin to describe the orgy going on around my gums. Sweet caramel & toffee, big boozy bite in the ass, plunk of vanilla, enough bourbon to make me loopy, & a slight under-berry of tequila...which I wouldn't have been able to I.D. without the label, but knowing it's there, it lends great cleavage to the taste. Rich to the point of Bailey's Cheesecake. I could drink this coming out of a garden hose.

Brilliant. This is a beer for the ages & possibly the best Anniversary beer fresh. Rich, decadent, just pure happiness. Close to perfect.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 04:20:40 | More by maximum12

ArrogantB

Colorado

3.25/5  rDev -25.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

22oz bottle split and poured into FW proprietor's reserve glasses. Dark black with minimal head. Smells similar to past anniversary beers, barrel, vanilla, coconut but also a hint of strong booze. Flavor was good at first but also extremely boozy, I blame the tequila barrel aged beer even though it was a small component in the blend. My friend said "its hot as fire" which was a good description of how the alcohol overpowered this one. Sadly, this was my least favorite anniversary beer from Firestone, it wasn't bad it just wasn't as rich as previous offerings.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 04:07:22 | More by ArrogantB

ehammond1

California

4.38/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle (2012)

Texas Liquor
Carlsbad, CA

Just about black with a moderately sized dark brown, somewhat persistent, head. Leaves streaks of random, messy bubbles irregularly down the glass. Very pretty. Not quite as thick in appearance as some barrel-aged stouts, but this is a gorgeous beer.

The aroma reminds me of a Milky Way candy bar: chocolate and caramel especially, with a little bit of vanilla nougat as well. There's a hint of booze, and some delicate dark fruit character--the dark fruit character emerges more and more as the beer warms. Very good, but not transcending.

The flavor is more complete and more complex than the aroma would suggest. Layers of chocolate, caramel, pie crust, vanilla, and mild oak combine exceptionally well. The alcohol is nicely hidden, though a complementary accent. Some mild roast, but it's not a main component of the beer's flavor. Wonderful stuff.

Near full in body with moderate carbonation. Surprisingly carbonated.

Fantastic. Much better than Firestone 15, and in the same realm as previous iterations.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 03:03:21 | More by ehammond1