The Goal: To create complexity centering on oak, in a multitude of forms, by brewing high gravity beers in complementary styles, aging them in different barrel formats and then blending them together to achieve new harmonious flavors.
The Puzzle: Blend these various components (or lots) to create a synergistic whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. This has once again been done with the help of a few of our neighboring Paso Robles winemakers who are practicing experts in the art of blending.
The Inspiration: Firestone Walker’s oak brewing tradition and our connection with winemaking. More specifically: a study of Port wine (solera) blending tradition and how it could be applied to brewing. Of course historically, brewing is also deeply rooted in the alchemy of blending.
The Barrels: The individual lots were aged in oak barrels, most of which were hand selected from premium Kentucky spirits producers by Tom Griffin, who is extremely passionate and knowledgeable about bourbon barrels and beer. Each barrel lends its own unique influence to the final blend. Tom delivered some real treats this year including a number of charred barrels that were first filled with bourbon in 1991… The year I turned 21!
Wood- and Barrel-Aged Beer
ABV:
11.00%
Firestone Walker Brewing Company
Paso Robles, California