denverdog
Not now chief, I’m in the F**kin zone.
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2006
- Messages
- 3,346
Had a great beer drinking weekend, the highlight of which was a Firestone Walker Anniversary vertical 10, 11 and 12 that we enjoyed to celebrate my brothers first child. I have had the 11 and 12 several times but this was my first time trying 10 which has been saved for the past couple of years for this very occasion. There were 5 of us, we used stemless wine glasses and each sample was just over 4 ounces. We decided to start with the 10 and work our way forward knowing full well that this would most likely be the only time any of us would have the chance to have the 10. It was also nice to see how Firestone Walker progressed with their blended anniversary series.
In an effort to just enjoy the moment for all that it was I didn't take notes, however here is a short review from memory.
10 - Monstrous aroma, heavy on the alcohol, big flavor, full mouthfeel, nice long bitter finish. A spectacle of strong and complex flavors yet perfectly balanced.
11 - Also had a huge nose, flavors were very big and full bodied, sweeter than the 10 with a bit less bitterness on the finish. The only complaint was that it was a bit thin.
12 - Nose was slightly muted compared to the first two however the taste was all there. Very big body, flavors were more individually prominent than the other two which really showed its freshness vs the age of the 10 and 11.
Verdict: While I feel that ranking these three is like trying to choose which child you love the most, you love them all the same but maybe in different ways, if I had to I would do so in this order: 10, 12 and then 11. The 10 was perfect, I feel the 11 is peaking and I feel that the 12 has the potential to be the best of the bunch. That being said, all three of these beers are amazing and would best be enjoyed while sitting in your favorite leather chair next to a fire on a cold winter night. They are toasty and full with the perfect blend of big sweet flavors and soothing alcohol warmth all finished by a long tannin filled bitter note.
In an effort to just enjoy the moment for all that it was I didn't take notes, however here is a short review from memory.
10 - Monstrous aroma, heavy on the alcohol, big flavor, full mouthfeel, nice long bitter finish. A spectacle of strong and complex flavors yet perfectly balanced.
11 - Also had a huge nose, flavors were very big and full bodied, sweeter than the 10 with a bit less bitterness on the finish. The only complaint was that it was a bit thin.
12 - Nose was slightly muted compared to the first two however the taste was all there. Very big body, flavors were more individually prominent than the other two which really showed its freshness vs the age of the 10 and 11.
Verdict: While I feel that ranking these three is like trying to choose which child you love the most, you love them all the same but maybe in different ways, if I had to I would do so in this order: 10, 12 and then 11. The 10 was perfect, I feel the 11 is peaking and I feel that the 12 has the potential to be the best of the bunch. That being said, all three of these beers are amazing and would best be enjoyed while sitting in your favorite leather chair next to a fire on a cold winter night. They are toasty and full with the perfect blend of big sweet flavors and soothing alcohol warmth all finished by a long tannin filled bitter note.
