Firestone Walker Double Barrel Ale - Paso Robles, California

A British Pale Ale never tasted so fresh. Firestone Walker challenges thier good friends across the pond to match this one. Can’t be done. They have honored the traditions of the great British Pale brewers of Burton-on-Trent using their patented Firestone Union oak barrels. You’re left with a mild blend of vanilla and toasted oak flavor touched with an elegant hint of English noble hops. DBA is the flagship of the company and is wildly popular.
    

       
Beer Stats:
Malts: Premium Two-Row, Maris Otter Pale, Munich, Crystal, Chocolate
Hops: Bittering—Magnum; Late Kettle—Styrian Golding, East Kent Golding; Dry Hops—East Kent Golding
Fermentation: Selectively fermented in the Firestone Union oak barrel brewing system.
    

    
Review by Beer Advocate
Coppery amber in color, there is not much head or activity within the body of the beer. Fairly still throughout, though a wisp of bubbles does appear on the surface.

The aroma has some fruity esters, much like those of an APWA...mainly apricots. There is a malty sweetness that comes through as well. On the palate, it permeates all aspects of the beer. Balanced well with the fruity esters of the British yeast, this beer tastes really darn good. Some piney and grassy hop flavors round it out.

Fairly still on the palate, seems about spot on for an English style. Overall, I would definitely grab some of this for everyday drinking. Been a long while since I have had an English Pale that I have enjoyed like this one.
 
    
 
History of Firestone Walker Brewing Company
It began innocently enough: a couple of brothers-in-law sitting around debating the subject of good and bad beer. Instead, their search for a decent ale to led them to brew their own. Given Mr. Firestone’s winemaking bias and Mr. Walker’s complete lack of fermentation experience, they believed 60-gallon oak barrels were the appropriate vehicle in which to create their perfect elixir.

OK, so initial attempts were forgettable. But like so many great ideas, out of that disaster was born a handy invention – the Firestone Union. Based on classic brewing traditions from Burton-Upon Trent, this bizarre and unlikely system of linked barrels has the ability to produce rich and complex ales. In 1996 the accidental duo shelved their endless discussion on better beers and settled for building a world-class brewery that bore their names on California’s Central Coast……the debate was now over..

Firestone Walker Brewing Company continues to grow as the palates of Americans migrate to craft beer. Our brew staff have picked up “Mid Size Brewery of the Year” at the World Beer Cup an unmatched three times.