About the Blending
Every late summer, right before the wine harvest gets rolling, we invite our local winemaker friends to the brewery to help blend our annual Anniversary Ale. Winemakers are practicing experts in the art of blending, and we realized early on that they could provide invaluable input for creating a seamless beer out of numerous barrel-aged component ales. The winemakers come for both the challenge and the camaraderie. They split up into small teams and create their own preferred blends from the provided components. Each of the resulting trials is then blind tasted by the entire group, and votes are cast for the winning blend. The victorious team walks away with bragging rights—and with a set of coveted cardboard crowns.

Final Blend
Parabola (14.0% ABV) Aged in Bourbon Barrels (41%)
Russian Imperial Stout
OG=34P FG=10.5P IBU=55 Color=Black
Massive amounts of Roast Barley, hopped with Styrian Goldin and Hallertau Tradition

Stickee Monkee (12.3% ABV) Aged in Bourbon Barrels (10%)
Central Coastal Quad
OG=30P FG=9P IBU=29 Color=Deep Brown
Round and full bodied Quad brewed with Belgian Candi Sugar and Mexican Brown Sugar

Tequila Barrel Merkin (7.0% ABV) Aged in Tequila Barrels (28%)
Milk Stout
OG=20P FG=7P IBU=15 Color=Black
Brewed with Oats and Milk Sugar, hopped with 100% US grown Fuggle

Brandy Barrel Barley Wine (13.8% ABV) Aged in Brandy Barrels (13%)
Blonde Barley Wine
OG=31P FG=7P IBU=20 Color=Deep Gold
Lean and focused to express barrel character, hopped with Styrian Golding

Whiskey Barrel Wheat Wine (11.7% ABV) Aged in Bourbon Barrels (8%)
Strong Golden Wheat Wine
OG=25P FG=3.5P IBU=17 Color=Blonde
Strong golden ale, co-fermented with white wine grape juice and hopped with Hallertau Tradition. A true beer-wine hybrid.

The Blend
"25" pours dark and rich with a creamy tan foam. After a few swirls the beer blossoms with beautiful spirits barrel aromas of bourbon-soaked coconut and brandy-filled chocolates. There is a touch of roasted pecans peeking out as well as some tequila barrel spice. Tasting the beer reveals more dark chocolate and black cherry with a light touch of grape-derived acidity and fruit. The experience is smooth with vanilla and caramel notes throughout. A blend of rich stout and refined barley wines, this is an absolutely beautiful beer that rises to the occasion of our 25th anniversary.

I will let you pour and discover the rest. This beer is unfiltered and unfined, so there can be a small amount of sediment in the bottom of the bottle. “25” is best enjoyed when poured carefully into a half-filled brandy snifter or wine glass. Swirl and allow it to warm to 55F to fully enjoy the pleasing and complex aromas. As the beer sits and breathes in the glass, the true complexity of this blend is revealed, so take your time. If you want to wait to open your bottle later, store it in a cool dark place. Like our other Anniversary offerings, this beer will age well and change favorably for years to come. I truly hope you enjoy our 16th oak-aged blend!
(from insert)

In the fall of 2006, Brewmaster Matt Brynildson asked a handful of his winemaker friends for their input on blending a diverse stash of barrel-aged strong ales. Together, they came up with “10” – a trailblazing beer commemorating out 10th anniversary. And so began an annual autumn rite that now continues into our 25th year.

This year was different, however. When our brewers convened with their winemaker friends on July 15, 2021, it marked a return to in-person blending after conducting it all remotely the previous year. The significance of this moment was not lost on anyone, and it was made all the more special by the occasion of our 25th anniversary.

The beer you are holding in your hands – 25 – was created on that day. It is a work of talent and togetherness that we are now privileged to share with you. Thank you for being a part of our journey as we conclude this milestone year for Firestone Walker.
(from box)

Color 78
(from https://www.firestonebeer.com/beer/25th-anniversary-ale)

For the first time, the winemakers were joined by two members of Firestone Walker’s Brewmaster’s Collective beer club, who won the chance to participate in the blending session. Russell From of Herman Story Wines and Taylor Mathiesen of Booker Vineyard, along with Brewmaster’s Collective club member Paul Rios (with guest Christian Smith), created the winning blend that became “25.”
(from https://www.firestonebeer.com/25th-anniversary-ale-blended-to-perfection)