Collective Choice (2023)
Firestone Walker Brewing in Paso Robles, California, United States 🇺🇸
Strong Ale Regular|
Score
7.63
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Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8.5 | Flavor - 8.5 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
Sweet and toasted malty with lots of toffee and caramel malty sweetness, some maple and caramelised brown sugar, the hazelnut is there but nicely tempered, oak accents with rich bourbon and vanilla that coalesce into the warming malty finish. Lovely.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 9 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
Bottle shared by MrBarleywine, thanks for the opportunity! Pours a light brown color with a thin off white head that slowly recedes. So much going on here its so complex, I could sniff this all day. Sweet fruity caramel base with layers of vanilla nuts and maple syrup that's cut with a hint of dark chocolate and earthy spice with a hint of oak. A lot of times maple is added with a heavy hand and overpowers, kudos to whomever blended this! Fantastic night cap.
Appearance - 10 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5
Bottle. Pours clear mahogany, small beige head, some lacing. Aroma is cola, cinnamon, werthers, caramel, bourbon. Flavor is medium sweet, light plus bitter. Medium body.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
Bottle from the brewery. Pours very dark brown with a slight creamy tan head. Aroma of sweet dark malt, maple syrup, and bourbon. Full bodied. Flavor is the aroma plus heat and a deal of hazelnut. Some oak astringency helps with the sweetness. Somehow it seems light and dry upon a quaff - which it definitely is not. I don't enjoy hazelnut, but it is working nicely in this ale. Quite tasty.