- Bottoms Up (RSS)Tasting Firestone Walker 12 and 2006 FW 10 at the Toronado
By William Brand
Thursday, November 13th, 2008 at 7:55 am in Uncategorized.
Made it to the Toronado last night (Wednesday. Nov. 12, 2008) for the unveiling of Firestone Walker’s powerful, 12 percent ABV, 12th Anniversary Ale. The place was packed with beer folks eager to try 12. Matt Brynildson, the head brewer and brain behind 12 was there along with some other Firestone-Walker folks, including JJ, the Thirsty Hopster blogger, who now works for Firestone. The Firestone Walker crew brought a number of other beers, including two components of 12, Big Opal, an 11 percent wheat wine aged in rye whiskey barrels, and Union Jack IPA.
Also, if you missed the Toronado, it’s going to be rolled out tonight (Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008) at City Beer Store, 1168 Folsom St., San Francisco, Also, Rufus Imperial Red, 11 percent, one of the components of 12, will be on tap, Matt says.
On Friday night, Matt will roll out 12 in Los Angeles at the Blue Palm Lounge, 6126 Hollywood Blvd., 323-464-0808
- Firestone Walker 12 is a deep brown, pours almost still, just a bit of foam., with a licorice nose. Taste is difficult to describe: warming alcohol. maybe coffee and a licorice sweetness with a warming brandy finish and more licorice and a hint of tobacco. Three Stars 1/2.
This obviously is a beer to put aside for a few years. Right now, it’s interesting with hints of great complexity and depth. But it’s mostly a very strong, not off-putting beer that will be great to sip judiciously after dinner. However, the future holds great promise.
Consider “10″, the first in the series, now two years old. Brynildson’s crew rolled into the Toronado with a keg of 10, so all of us got to taste it. Matt explained that they found the keg tucked away. “We didn’t even know it was there.”
- 10 provided an excellent example of how aging can improve a beer of this sophistication. This one had a malt on the nose, but the taste was well-blended and explosive: Lots of alcohol and a smooth taste, like honey, but not so sweet and warming alcohol in a long, lingering finish. I give this puppy FOUR STARS.
Gosh, don’t you wish you’d hung onto your bottle of 10. Well put a couple of 12s away today, Don’t know where to find 12? E-mail me at whatsontap@sbcglobal.net and ask for our 2008 Northern California Retail Beer Store List.
Photos: Top, Firestone Walker night at the Toronado. The place was, as usual, jammed. Great scene.
Bottom: FirestoneWalker 12.
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November 13th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Is the 10 or 12 still on tap at Toronado or did they run out?
November 13th, 2008 at 9:23 am
I believe they have some left. I’ll ask and post the answer.
November 13th, 2008 at 10:16 am
They’re definitely out of the 12. Not sure about 10.
November 13th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Haven’t heard yet, but if 12 is gone, 10 probably is gone too. Damn. Well, if you want 12 on tap tonight, go to City Beer Store on Folsom. They open at 4 and they’re having a Firestone Walker 12 night. And don’t forget the Bestro’s West Coast Barrel-Aged Beer Fest this Saturday, 1001 B. St., Hayward. Starts at 11 a.m. $35 buys a glass and 10 tastes. 12 will be there and no doubt a couple of other FW barrel-aged beers.
November 13th, 2008 at 10:51 am
[...] great beer. If you get the chance, be sure to pick up a few bottles of Firestone XII, and follow Bill Brand’s advice: drink one for now, and a few to lay away for a few years to see how they [...]
November 13th, 2008 at 11:12 am
It was great to see you at the release party. You can see my notes note and picture here:
http://beerandnosh.com/2008/11/firestone-xii-release-party/
and I’ll see you at the bistro barrel festival. Any recommendations of beers to be sure not to miss there?
- Jesse
November 13th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
At the Bistro Saturday….Don’t miss Valley Brewing, Allagash or Avery. The brewr at Valley (Stockton) is a genius. His barrel-aged sours are stunning. Allagash is making the only authentically brewed wild yeast beer in commercial craft brewing. Avery promises something special and it no doubt is.
November 13th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Toronado is out of both 10 and 12, by the way.
November 13th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Bill– thanks for the mention, we are hosting FW 12th anniversary party for those who missed it in So Cal at The BluePalms Brewhouse on 6124 Hollywood Blvd.
6-9pm. Cheers Brian.
November 14th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Tell us more about the Blue Palm Brian. Sounds like a great new LA destination for good beer…
December 27th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
i have several bottles of the 10,11,and 12.all are fine examples of some of the best beer i have ever had.the 10 and 11 are amazing right now.not to mention the cask sample of the 12 i had at the brewery.
December 27th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
I think those beers will do nothing but improve for at least three or four more years, if they’re properly kept