Firestone Walker Brewing 20 (XX) Anniversary Ale

20 (XX) Anniversary Ale

 

Firestone Walker Brewing in Paso Robles, California, United States πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ

Strong Ale Series Out of Production
Score
8.07
ABV: 13.0% IBU: - Ticks: 9
As a finished blend, XX is a beautifully textured and complex brew, with layers that unfold as the beer opens up. At first there is a burst of brandy soaked cherries, then chocolate cake combined with distinct boozy new American oak notes. The flavor develops full of molasses rich brown sugar and fruitcake with a touch of caramel and cinnamon spice. Overall the beer is silky smooth, incredibly balanced and finishes with a touch of kirsch filled truffle – a perfect blend of everything we love about our vintage barrel program! This beer is unfiltered and unfined, so there will be a small amount of sediment in the bottom of the bottle. XX is best enjoyed poured carefully into a half filled brandy snifter or wine glass. Allow it to warm to 55F to fully enjoy the pleasing and complex aromas. As the beer sits and breathes in the glass the true complexity of this blend is revealed, so take your time. If you wait to open your bottle later, store it in a cool, dark place. I suspect, like our other Anniversary offerings, that this beer will age well and change favorably for years to come.

Final blend:
Parabola 40%
Stickee Monkee 20%
Velvet Merkin 17.5%
Bravo 12.5%
Helldorado 10%
 

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7.5
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 8

Bottle pour at Carmine Street. Pours dark brown. Red grape, biscuit, toffee, milk chocolate, bourbon, walnut, dry biscuit. Medium body. Good.

Tried from Bottle on 27 Aug 2023 at 00:51


8.9
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 9 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 9 | Overall - 9

Rating# 5000. From another IP trade with Richiesd in 2017. Pours a clear dark brown colour and a brownish head that disappears immediately. Aroma's of bourbon, brown sugar, wood, booze. Retronasal it's sweet, bourbon, oak/wood, vanilla, burnt sugar, light red fruit. Flavour is sweet, burnt sugar, boozy. Alcohol feel is not too sharp though. Medium bodied. Long finish. Another great bottle from FW!

Tried from Bottle on 12 Apr 2020 at 12:00


8.4
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 10 | Overall - 8.5

Bottle from my cellar. Ebony pour, small soft ring of beige head. Sweet roasty aroma. Taste is sweet, milky, chocolate with an afterglow. Incredibly smooth.

Tried from Bottle on 06 Jan 2020 at 03:00


7.9
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

Bottle (no label taken) - pours dark brown tan head - nose and taste of bourbon, brandy, chocolate roast, rye, raisin and dark fruit - Full bodied

Tried from Bottle on 08 Apr 2018 at 21:50


9.4
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 9 | Flavor - 10 | Texture - 10 | Overall - 9.5

0,65l bottle at home shared by Sander, big thanks. black color, small tan head. smells bourbon, nutty, frosted cake, light whisky, marzipan, some coconut, lovely smell. full body, light carbonation, slick mouthfeel. tastes of pines, coconut, licorice, some sweetness, light mint, wood, bourbon. finishes very balanced with notes of coconut, light mint and bourbon notes. very very very nice one, so smoooth. lovely balance. definitly a favorite of mine. 9, 4, 10, 5, 19

Tried from Bottle on 26 Mar 2018 at 13:14


9
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 9 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 10 | Overall - 9

Backlog, acquired from a trade. Deep, viscous reddish brown with thin beige head. Packed with vanilla, oak, caramel, dried fruit. Rich and strong with a touch of boozy bourbon. Spectacular.

Tried on 11 Nov 2017 at 15:38


8.9
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 9 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 9.5

650ml bottle. Pours an unclear red-brown with lots of sediment floating around and a small, short lived, tan head that laces. Sweet aroma of chocolate malt, caramel, toffee, figs, dates, raisins, cherry, vanilla, bourbon and oak. Sweet flavour of chocolate malt, caramel, toffee, light roast, brown sugar, figs, dates, raisins, cinnamon, cherry, vanilla, licorice, molasses and oak with a warming bourbon finish. Full body with a creamy, smooth, sticky texture and soft carbonation. Simply amazing and downright sinful. A world class and possibly even worlds best ASA.

Tried from Bottle on 17 Aug 2017 at 00:21


8
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 9

8 3 8 4 17Bottle shared at Hollands Spoor Tasting Club, Breda Edition. Dark brown with a small tan head. Aroma of butterscotch, toffee, bourbon barrel, boozy notes, vanilla and malt. Flavour is light heavy sweet. Full bodied with soft carbonation.

Tried from Bottle on 01 Jul 2017 at 08:12


8.8
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 9 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 9

Bottle shared at a tasting. Dark amber pour with a thin tan head. Notes of bourbon barrels (the Firestone Walker usual treat), toffee, chocolate, coffee, maple syrup, dried fruit and some perfumey-hop-like notes in the background. Parabola and Stickee Monkee clearly identifiable, and Helldorado adding a very smooth and unique touch to the blend. Very nice. --- Beer merged from original tick of Firestone 20 (XX) Anniversary Ale on 09 Apr 2017 at 09:47 - Score: 9

Tried from Bottle on 09 Apr 2017 at 23:47