Paraboloid
(has 4 batches)
Firestone Walker Brewing in Paso Robles, California, United States 🇺🇸
Stout - Imperial Regular|
Score
8.07
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Our signature Parabola imperial stout achieves new heights in this limited small-batch release.The story of this beer began when we aged it in an equal selection of rare older-stock barrels from premium spirits producers - specifically 14 year Old Fitzgerald bourbon barrels and 18 year Sazerac rye whiskey barrels. These barrels complemented Parabola's classic dark chocolate, cherry and vanilla flavors by imparting hints of stone fruits, fudge, leather and peppery spice. Additionally, we aged the beer for a full two years prior to blending and bottling, cultivating an ultra-smooth mouthfeel fo this prodigiously flavorful beer.
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9.6/10
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Appearance 9
Aroma 9
Flavor 10
Texture 10
Overall 10
Firestone Walker is easily one of my top 5 breweries. And Parabola is my highest rated imperial stout. So, are there high expectations this time around? I have a 12 oz bottle of the 2023 version of Paraboloid acquired I believe from Half Time quite some time ago. I read that it is aged in 20 year old Elijah Craig bourbon barrels. Pricey barrels I imagine. A New Belgium globe glass is in place and I tilt the bottle. I have to call the body jet black and the head is a moderate-sized, parchment-colored cover that promptly reduces to a skim. Lift the glass for a smell and I have to say oh my. Bakers chocolate, scorched grain, toffee and booze. The drink is top level also. Bourbon up front, dark chocolate, pecans, some oakiness background, caramel, malt, dark plums, vanilla and a bit of a burn at the end. A very good sensation, thick and chewy. Every bit as good as Parabola and perhaps better what with the bourbon barrel aging. It was worth the wait for the tasting.
Tried
from Bottle
on 06 Aug 2026
at 22:49
7.5/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7.5
Flavor 7.5
Texture 7
Overall 7.5
Dark, dark brown. Thin head. Dark fruits, chocolate, lots of bourbon, some of it leans a bit headsy actually. Big body but it is cut by massive bourbon, gets boozy in the finish. But enough sugar that it’s not harsh.
Tried
on 02 Mar 2026
at 15:53
9.3/10
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Appearance 10
Aroma 9
Flavor 9
Texture 10
Overall 9
Bottle from Tavour
Appearance: dark brown with a tan head
Aroma: roasty, bourbon, vanilla, wood, dark fruit
Flavor: medium sweetness, medium bitterness
Texture: light carbonation, creamy feel, full body, long finish
Tasty
Appearance: dark brown with a tan head
Aroma: roasty, bourbon, vanilla, wood, dark fruit
Flavor: medium sweetness, medium bitterness
Texture: light carbonation, creamy feel, full body, long finish
Tasty
Tried
from Bottle
from Tavour
on 21 Jan 2026
at 17:02
8.5/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8.5
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
Sample at GABF 10/10/2025, thanks to Beer Savant for assistance with note-taking. Brown-black pour with some mahogany around the edges and a medium khaki head that recedes steadily to a film. Sparse patches of lace. Bourbon, vanilla. malt and fruit in the nose. Full-bodied with flavors of oaky bourbon, vanilla, chocolate malt and dark fruit. The finish is oaky with a bourbon and chocolate malt aftertaste. Very enjoyable overall.
Tried
from Draft
on 10 Oct 2025
at 21:00
8.4/10
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Appearance 9
Aroma 9
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
Fake brown color. Smell like a tootsie and Rolo bar cake dipped in bourbon and vanilla. Heavy palate super smooth. Low carnation. Sweet, alcohol well hidden. Very rounded and warming. Liquid desser but not a pastry stout. This is my jam
Tried
on 09 May 2025
at 14:56
8.6/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 9
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
A black beer, a head is medium and yellowish beige. Aroma has liquorice, salt liquorice, some bourbon, hint of barrel and vanilla. Intensive aroma. Taste has salt liquorice, roastiness, strong maltyness, bourbon. Full bodied, not stickyness. Very intensive and powerful beer. Great beer.
Tried
on 19 Apr 2024
at 09:38
8.2/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8
Heavy, roasty and dry with some spicy rye notes, burnt coffee, licorice, earthiness, stingy wood, oak, bourbon and syrup, hints of mämmi, dark chocolate and cocoa. Intense and heavy with loads of dry roastiness.
Tried
on 04 Apr 2024
at 16:57