Firestone - Abacus 2011

Proprietors Reserve Series Abacus is a barrel aged Barley Wine. Four barrels in total were selected for the blend. The base of this year’s offering was aged in Heaven Hill bourbon barrels for 3 years! The resulting beer is strong yet extremely elegant and smooth.  Big boozy bourbon and American oak aromas combined with soft chocolate malty undertones. Complex malt flavors framed in oak, with hints of dark chocolate, vanilla, tobacco, coconut and just a touch of dark cherry. This is definitely a sipping beer, best served in a brandy snifter. This ale pairs well with dark chocolate and sturdy cheeses.

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 13.0 and the IBU rating is 42

Style - Barrel Aged Barleywine

Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip, Goblet, Chalice or Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery - Draft

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

The Pour - Pours a dark brown color with a tan head. Great lacing.
Aroma - Sweet, malty, dark fruits, licorice, caramel and oak tannins. A lot going on here.
Taste -  Malty, raisins, vanilla, toffee, caramel, oaky, boozy and very complex.
Mouth Feel - Good carbonation, full body and sticky.  A bit spicy which is surprising. 
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 =99