Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Paso Robles, CA
Available: n/a
In producing the Double Barrel Ale, the patented Firestone Union oak barrel brewing system links together 60-gallon oak barrels in rows (a “union”) of pairs. Inspired by the Burton Union system, once a staple of British beermaking in mid-19th century, the Firestone Walker brothers-in-law resurrected a unique fermentation process.
Alcohol by weight: 4
Color: 16
Bitterness: 31
Gravity: 1052
The power of suggestion, perhaps, but is there a whiff of smokiness at the first pour? Regardless, this rich copper-colored ale has a nice mix of faint roast, caramel and soft fruit in its nose, and the body sporting a sweet, caramelly front and a drier, toasty middle with notes of raisin and date. A slight bitterness on the finish affords it good depth. Maybe not quite full-bodied enough for the Sunday roast, so how about a Wednesday pork loin?
Deep amber with a deliberating body. Hop, malt, and a rich, fermented ale character abound in aroma and flavor. Clean, balanced, expertly brewed. Hop flavors are not assertive, yet are evident throughout the rewarding drinking experience. Terrific body for a 5 percent alcohol beer. Consider yourself fortunate with a pint of DBA.
The copper red beer with a fluffy head uses five malts, English and Slovenian hops and an English ale yeast. The result is a beer with a very English aroma and palate of spicy, resiny hops, rich malt and sultana fruit. The malts dominate the palate but are underpinned by a gentle but persistent hop bitterness. Finally, the finish is dry, cleansing and well-balanced. Superb!
Author of four books, his writing on beer appears in many publications, and on-line at Stephen Beaumont's World of Beer, www.worldofbeer.com. Charles Finkel returns next issue.
Author of the New Complete Joy of Homebrewing, founder of the Great American Beer Festival and a Beer Examiner at www.examiner.com, Papazian is a leading voice in beer and brewing.
Roger Protz is the author of Complete Guide to World Beer and 300 Beers to Try Before You Die. He is a respected beer authority and editor of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.
