Bravo (2017)
(Batch of Bravo)
Firestone Walker Brewing in Paso Robles, California, United States 🇺🇸
Brown Ale - Imperial Regular Out of Production|
Score
7.52
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Barrel-Aged Imperial Brown Ale
We proudly present the 2017 Vintage of Bravo, our Imperial Brown Ale aged in retired American oak bourbon barrels. Although Bravo was the first strong ale brewed for our Anniversary Ale blending program over ten years ago, it has yet to see its own bottled release, until now. Balancing rich toasty and chocolate malt flavors with a gentle balance of noble hops, Bravo is brewed to showcase barrel flavors with massive bourbon barrel notes that morph as the beer warms in the glass.
Yeast: British Ale
Malt: Pale Ale malt, Munich malt, roasted malt, roasted barley
Hops: Columbus, Tettnanger
Sugar
We proudly present the 2017 Vintage of Bravo, our Imperial Brown Ale aged in retired American oak bourbon barrels. Although Bravo was the first strong ale brewed for our Anniversary Ale blending program over ten years ago, it has yet to see its own bottled release, until now. Balancing rich toasty and chocolate malt flavors with a gentle balance of noble hops, Bravo is brewed to showcase barrel flavors with massive bourbon barrel notes that morph as the beer warms in the glass.
Yeast: British Ale
Malt: Pale Ale malt, Munich malt, roasted malt, roasted barley
Hops: Columbus, Tettnanger
Sugar
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8/10
—
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
—
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
—
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
—
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
—
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
8.3/10
—
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
9.1/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 10
Flavor 9
Texture 7
Overall 10
12 oz bottle (from Whole Foods Bowery, NY, if I remember correctly), 2017 issue. Deep ruby-brown color, with particles sediment floating in it - I didn't think it was fermenting in the bottle, or unfiltered? Off brown to light beige head with some retention. Aroma's of caramel/toffee, red fruit, wood, vanilla, bourbon, all wonderfully balanced, just as I'm expecting from FW nowadays. Retronasal it's sweet, toffee, vanilla, woody, boozy bourbon. Flavor is above moderate (to heavy) sweet with fruit and wood. Alcohol is warming but not too sharp. Body is medium (not as full as I expected). Good carbonation. Long finish with toffee and some woody notes, light bitter. Great stuff, as always with FW's BA beers.
Eind 2025 nog eens geproefd, nog steeds erg lekker, maar niet meer helemaal zoals in 2018. Er is wat veroudering waarneembaar, het is minder zoet en wat meer houtig/tannines. Nog steeds geen straf.
Eind 2025 nog eens geproefd, nog steeds erg lekker, maar niet meer helemaal zoals in 2018. Er is wat veroudering waarneembaar, het is minder zoet en wat meer houtig/tannines. Nog steeds geen straf.
Tried
from Bottle
on 07 Apr 2018
at 19:42