Firestone Walker To Release “ELEVEN”

Limited Edition Strong Ale Aged for 18 Months in Oak Barrels
Paso Robles, CA-Confirming rumors of a successor to last fall’s acclaimed oak-aged 10th anniversary ale, Firestone Walker Brewing Company announced today the imminent release of Eleven, a limited-edition oak-aged strong ale. In light of previous demand, Firestone Walker Brewing Company is taking measures to ensure equitable distribution of Eleven.

Since the brewery’s founding in 1996, Firestone Walker Brewing Company has specialized in the rare art of brewing beer in oak barrels. In the fall of 2006, Firestone Walker released an oak-aged strong ale called “10” to commemorate the brewery’s 10th anniversary. Eleven is the next in what now promises to be an annual autumn rite of special oak-aged ales from Firestone Walker Brewing Company.

Eleven will be officially released in individually boxed 22-ounce bottles on November 30 at 11 a.m. at the brewery taproom in Paso Robles on California’s Central Coast. Only 500 retail cases (at 12 bottles per case) were produced. The beer will be available at Beverages & More and other select retail outlets across California starting in mid December. The suggested retail price is $16.99 per 22-ounce bottle.

Eleven was crafted by Brewmaster Matt Brynildson and his team in separate lots over 18 months. After extensive trials, the lots were carefully blended to create a unique, harmonious and ageworthy brew. Each of the lots was aged in American oak barrels, many of which were previously used and matured by premium American spirits producers. Each barrel lent its own bit of soul to the flavor profile, including nuances of tobacco, leather, spice and molasses.

The individual lots included Bravo (imperial brown ale), Rufus (continental imperial amber ale) and Parabola (Russian imperial oatmeal stout). The technical specifications of the final blend are 11 percent alcohol by volume and 42 IBUs.

Bottles of last year’s “10” special release were later seen selling for more than 10 times the original retail price, and it was even listed at $150 per bottle at a notable Las Vegas restaurant. For this reason, Firestone Walker Brewing Company is carefully allocating Eleven to ensure fair distribution and access, including a one-case limit per customer.

“These special releases have proven to be something of a conundrum for us,” admitted proprietor David Walker. “We are committed to trying to minimize hoarding, re-selling and anything else that limits access to the beer from our loyal customer base.”

Founded in 1996 on California’s Central Coast, Firestone Walker Brewing Company is a regional brewery committed to quality, innovation and tradition. Firestone Walker Brewing Company remains the only American brewery to ferment beer in a union of oak barrels, a classic British brewing method that dates back to the mid 19th century. Firestone Walker Brewing Company was named “Mid-Size Brewing Company of The Year” at the 2007 and 2003 Great American Beer Festivals and “Champion Brewery” for the category of Mid-Size Brewing Company at the 2006 and 2004 World Beer Cups.