Firestone - 14th Anniversary 2010

Proprietors Reserve Series 14 is a combination of six separate lots produced over several months and years, then carefully blended into this truly unique and complex brew.  As a finished beer, 14 is a brimming with amazing flavors and textures.  DDBA leads the blend lending American toasted oak, English caramel toffee and light leather nuances.  Newcomer, Sticky Monkey, folds in the taste of brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, ginger and ripe figs.  Parabola brings the familiar flavors of bitter dark chocolate and cherry pit. Velvet Merkin carries silky bourbon soaked chocolate cake goodness to the party while a touch of Black Xantus teases coffee and tobacco. Last, but not least, Good Foot brings the hops… hints of citrus zest and tangerine, which adds a pop to the aroma and nice finish to this big, sexy brew. 14 is best enjoyed in a half filled brandy snifter or wine glass.  Allow it to warm to 55F to fully enjoy the pleasing and complex aromas.  If left in a cool dark place, I suspect this beer will age well.

Following are descriptions of key components with their original code names:

Double Double Barrel Ale (10.9% ABV) - (31%) of final blend

Aged 100% in retired Firestone Union Barrels                                                           
-Double strength English Pale Ale
OG= 24.0P FG=5.8P IBU=30 Color = 16 / A Double version of our flagship created by Ali Razi

Sticky Monkey (12% ABV) - (29%) of final blend

Aged in Bourbon and Brandy Barrels                                                                                     
-English Barley Wine
OG = 24P  FG = 4.5P  IBU = 45  Color = 28 / Brewed with Mexican Turbinado (Brown) suger

Parabola (13% ABV) - (27%) of final blend

Aged in Bourbon Barrels                                                                                                                
-Russian Imperial Oatmeal Stout                                                                                         
OG=30P FG=7.5P  IBU=80  Color=Black / Hopped with Simcoe, Bravo, Styrian Golding and East Kent Golding

Velvet Merkin (6% ABV) – (7%) of final blend

100% Aged in Bourbon barrels                                                                                                                   
-Traditional Oatmeal Stout
OG= 15P FG=5.5 IBU=32.5 Color= Black / 15% Oats / Hopped with 100% US grown Fuggles

Good Foot (13% ABV) - (3%) of final blend

Aged in Bourbon Barrels                                                                                                                            
-American Barley Wine
OG = 23P FG = 5.5P IBU = 80  Color = 26 / Brewed with copious amounts of American grown hops

Black Xantus(11% ABV) - (3%) of final blend

-Aged in Bourbon Barrels                                                                                                       
-Coffee Infused Imperial Stout
OG= 27P FG = 6.8P  IBU = 55 Color Black / Rich Stout made with Mexican Coffee roasted locally by Joebella Coffee Company

I had this at the Memphis Taproom. The Firestone Walker Brewery owners and reps were in town for their introduction into the Pennsylvania market. 

The ABV is 12.5 and the IBU rating is ??

Style - American Strong Ale

Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip, Goblet, Chalice or Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery -22oz Bottle

Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper conditions.

The Pour - Pours a dark brown color with a tan head. Great lacing.
Aroma - Boozy noise, malty, raisins, vanilla and oak tannins. A lot going on here.
Taste -  Malty, raisins, vanilla, caramel, oaky, boozy and very complex.
Mouth Feel - Low carbonation, full body.  Very similar to the Abacus but smoother. 
Drinkable - A definite sipper, complex and a joy to drink.  I am stashing a bottle in the cellar to age for a few years.

This beer pairs well with pungent cheese and chocolates.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A+.
BeerAdvocate Rating =A
Ratebeer Rating =100