Firestone Walker XVIII Anniversary Ale

From Firestone Walker – As a finished beer, XVIII is a dark and complex brew full of malt and barrel derived flavors, with Parabola leading the brew into the rich darkness. The beer is unfiltered and unfined, so there will be a small amount of sediment in the bottom of the bottle. XVIII 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, rich dark chocolate, toasted oak and dark fruit character is revealed, so take your time. If you wait to open your bottle later, store it in a cool dark place. I suspect that this beer will age well and change favorably for years to come. It was an absolute pleasure in the making and I truly hope you enjoy our ninth oak-aged blend! The journey continues and it’s just as fun and exciting now as it was back in 1996.

Firestone Walker Brewing – Firestone Walker XVIII Anniversary Ale – 22 oz. bottle poured into a snifter. 13% abv. 

Appearance:  Pours dark brown, nearly black. Tight bubbly edges but no head.

Aroma:  Brandy, chocolate, dark fruit, tobacco, vanilla, faint soaked oak.

Taste:  Dark chocolate, bourbon (wood, spice, warmth),burnt caramel, oak,dried dark fruit, Euro hop bitterness.

Mouthfeel:  Spirit like sensations of warmth and astringency. On the medium side of full bodied. Modest carbonation.

Overall:  I enjoyed this a bit more than the last two years, and enjoyed it as much as fresh XIII,which has been my favorite of the series thus far. I love Parabola, so naturally I like this Parabola heavy blend. This should drink well for 3-4 years.