Bravo
Firestone Walker Brewing in Paso Robles, California, United States 🇺🇸
Brown Ale - Imperial Special Out of Production|
Score
7.70
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The first beer brewed for the barrel aging program and has been brewed every year since. Originally named after an experimental variety of hops but now brewed with US grown Fuggles which are earthy and resinous. A lean, simple barley wine brewed to showcase barrel flavors with massive bourbon barrel notes that morph as the beer warms in the glass.
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8/10
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Appearance 7
Aroma 7.5
Flavor 8.5
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
Bottle that Jonas was given by Gregor for his 50th birthday a year ago, cheers Jonas. Had this Friday 13th February at the Manglham 2nd Winter Tasting listening to Geese - Getting Killed. Jonas cooked Pasta Carbonara, it was fab', we had a strawberry cake. Pours dark brown a small head that soon departs. Lovely mouthfeel, warming, thickness in the mouth, little booziness, alcohol and chocolate combine, another great beer from Firestone Walker.
Tried
from Bottle
on 13 Feb 2026
at 21:48
6.9/10
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Appearance 7
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
Bottle. Dark chestnut. Caramel, raisins, sugar. Front heavy, a bit of an edge, quite warm and boozy. Nice.
Tried
from Bottle
on 13 Feb 2026
at 21:40
7.1/10
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Appearance 7
Aroma 6.5
Flavor 7.5
Texture 7
Overall 7.5
355ml bottle, thx Jonas for sharing it at the Mangled Ham 2026 tasting, and thanks to Gregor I think for giving it to Jonas! Bit murky brown body, the head's non existent. Bit minty, caramelly aroma, oxidation. Lean, dry caramelly taste, oak, vanilly, minty slightla, alcohol warmth present but not overwhelming. Past its prime, still quite tasty!
Tried
from Bottle
on 13 Feb 2026
at 21:33
7.4/10
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Appearance 7
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 7
Overall 6.5
Bottle, thanks a lot Gregor! Hazy red amber, lowish head. Still surprisingly hoppy, fruity malt, caramel roast, medium full body, good fizz, juicy fruity, citric and juicy hops, fruit caramel finish. Pretty impressive flavor given the age.
Tried
from Bottle
on 13 Feb 2026
at 21:32
8.3/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 10
Overall 8
(Bottle) Reddish brown colour with frothy, beige head. Malty, hoppy, vinous nose with chocolate, caramel, orange peel, crisp-bread, raisins, a touch of mint, oak wood, bourbon and dried fruit. Malty, hoppy taste with notes of caramel, chocolate, orange peel, rye bread, resin, oak wood, bourbon, vanilla and a balanced citric/resiny bitterness in a warming finish. Full body, with a certain sweetness. Rich, tasty and warming. Very nice.
Tried
from Bottle
on 06 Feb 2026
at 22:38
7.6/10
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Appearance 7
Aroma 7.5
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
2017 vintage, opened late 2025. Pours clear dark copperbrown. Small white head. Toffee, mild earthyness. Caramelly taste is very nice, fall-leaves, caramelly, dark fruits, some raisin like features. Barrel is very smooth and mellow, obviously since it has a few years on it as well. More than decent, showing no real age downfall ! Medium boozy finish.
Tried
on 24 Oct 2025
at 19:01
7.4/10
What a beer. Just f-ing top notch. The brown ale nutiness is just perfect. The version i got 2017 in beertemple amsterdam in 2023 has clearly been mistreated a bit, but i can tell it’s amazing underneath.
Tried
from Can
on 24 Jun 2023
at 20:21
8/10
Craft brown ale! Love it
Tried
from Draft
on 30 Apr 2023
at 20:21
8.4/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
355 ml bottle, vintage 2017. Reddish-brown body, with a small, beige head. Aroma of barrel, caramel, chocolate, dried fruits, marzipan, sweet spices, some roast, slight booze. Tastes similar. Medium, oily mouthfeel, with a moderate carbonation. Finishes smooth, warm, a bit boozy, medium sweet, moderate roasty. Delicious, perfectly balanced barrel aged strong ale. Complex and greatly balanced between sweet and roasty notes, with the ABV greatly hidden. Score: 8 / 4 / 9 / 4 / 17
Tried
from Bottle
on 26 Mar 2023
at 00:09
8.3/10
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Appearance 7
Aroma 8
Flavor 8.5
Texture 8
Overall 9
0,355l bottle at home shared by Saeglopur, big thanks. Vintage 2017. brown color, small tan head. smells bourbon, vanilla, nutty, rum, marzipan. very nice smell. full body, light carbonation. tastes bourbon, vanilla, nutty, rum, marzipan. finishes lightly sweet with notes of vanilla, bourbon and marzipan. lovely, just lovely, very smooth.
Tried
from Bottle
on 05 Feb 2023
at 14:08