Firestone Walker Brewing Company announced the upcoming release of a seasonal beer called Solace. This is the brewery's first bottled release of a seasonal ale.

Seasonal beers continue to be one of the hottest beer trends in the United States. Consumers are taking advantage of changing seasonal offerings akin to vintages in the wine industry.

"Seasonal beers are in high demand right now and we wanted to provide Firestone lover's with our take on a seasonal offering," said co-proprietor David Walker.
 
While Solace is somewhat devoid of style, Brewmaster Matt Brynildson said it will be a sort of unfiltered fusion of a Hefeweizen and a Belgian Saison. Subtle hints of banana and clove aroma will merge with sweet fruit flavor, a medium body and tangy finish. This combination will result in drinkable spring/summer beer with about 6% alcohol by volume.

"Style guidelines are definitely being stretched and exaggerated with the rise of craft beers in the U.S.," Brynildson said. "I call it a Summertime Belgo-Bavarian Zwickle Saison," he added jokingly.

While you probably won't be seeing this style added to the books anytime soon, Solace is sure to be a crowd pleaser this spring/summer. Solace will roll out in six packs and draft beginning in April and be available through August. The suggested retail price is $9.99 per six pack of 12-ounce bottles. It will be available across California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona and select markets in Nevada.
 

Founded in 1996 on California's Central Coast, Firestone Walker Brewing Company is a regional brewery committed to quality, innovation and tradition. Firestone Walker Brewing Company remains the only American brewery to ferment beer in a union of oak barrels, a classic British brewing method that dates back to the mid 19th century. Firestone Walker Brewing Company was named "Mid-Size Brewing Company of The Year" at the 2007 and 2003 Great American Beer Festivals and "Champion Brewery" for the category of Mid-Size Brewing Company at the 2006 and 2004 World Beer Cups.