Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Parabola
Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout
13% ABV
2013 Vintage
Appearance: Pours pitch black with a finger and a half of tan foam that dissipates rather quickly.
Smell: The nose consists primarily of bourbon, oak, and vanilla but also contains more subtle aromas of baking chocolate, coffee, and caramel.
Taste: Much like the smell, the bourbon dominates here. This one's pretty boozy but there's a lot more going on than just the alcohol. Dark fruits (plum, raisins, and cherries), black licorice, caramel, earthy spiciness, bitter chocolate, light coffee, oak, and vanilla all blend together to create an intoxicating concoction.
Mouthfeel: Surprisingly lighter, semi-oily mouthfeel with a nice little bit of carbonation. In general though, very creamy and velvety.
Overall, this is a fantastic barrel-aged stout that's complex, flavorful and a great bottle to share with beer-loving friends or family. The wonderful thing about this beer is that while it is quite intense in terms of flavor and alcohol, it's also a very easy sipper. If that makes any sense. Like a fine cognac, Parabola is meant to be slowly enjoyed and appreciated. It's a beer that you can take long pauses in between sips and, as cheesy as it sounds, let your mind wander, discovering all the aromas and flavors within. Seriously, this can be a form of meditation. Mediation through beer. I think I may be onto something.
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| 5 out of 5 |
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