Review – Firestone Walker XII

From Dan: One of the most sought after beers in the beer geek community, is Firestone Walker XII. Coming in a nice gold box with two pages explaining the Quercus Alba program, and the measures taken this year to continue on in the same perfect direction as the last two years, it was like opening a present on Christmas morning.  I held a special Wednesday night tasting with TFP ‘s Jon and Mike, as the weekend could not wait.

Firestone Walker Brewing Company – Firestone Walker XII – 22 oz bottle poured into a New Belgium beer glass. 12% abv.

Appearance: Dark brown leather. Soap sudsy ring of bubbles at the top.

Aroma: Bourbon, rum (perhaps Captain Morgan Spiced Rum), vanilla bean, lacquered wood, and freshly split oak. All scents were very strong.

Taste: First vanilla, than some dark booze, Chocolate Riesins. Finishes woody.

Mouthfeel: Sticky, syrupy.

Overall: Awesome. The best qualities of 10 and 11. Complex, and packing a bit of a bite like 10. Sweeet and full of vanilla like 11.