Firestone Walker & Green Bench Brewing Collaborate on Dabbling in Decoction

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Firestone Walker Brewing Company (Paso Robles, California) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of Dabbling in Decoction, a special collaboration project with Green Bench Brewing Co. (St. Petersburg, Florida), in early July 2022.

A collaboration that came to be after the crew at Firestone Walker met Green Bench’s “Khris Johnson . . . at the American Hop Convention in Tampa back in January,” Dabbling in Decoction is a dry hopped, decoction mashed American Pilsner featuring “all American ingredients: floor malted pilsner malt from Admiral Malt in California, flaked corn from Briess in Wisconsin, and Mount Hood and Lorien hops from Indie Hops in Oregon.” Coming in at 4.7% ABV, Dabbling in Decoction comes together to be a “dry, clean, and crisp pilsner with floral, citrusy, and minty hop aroma.”

Dabbling in Decoction is available now in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft while supplies last. You can find this Limited Release offering available in Firestone Walker’s online store and at the brewery’s three locations in Paso Robles, Buellton, and Venice. Prost!

Vital Information for Dabbling in Decoction from Firestone Walker Brewing Company & Green Bench Brewing Co.

Release – Limited; early July 2022
Style – American Pilsner
ABV – 4.7%
IBUs – 32
Malts – Admiral Pilsner & Briess Non-GMO Yellow Corn Flakes
Hops – Lorien & Mount Hood
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – None. Available in Firestone Walker’s online store and the brewery’s three locations in Paso Robles, Buellton, and Venice

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Firestone Walker Aims to Perfect the West Coast with Introduction of Hopnosis IPA

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Firestone Walker Brewing Company (Paso Robles, California) has officially announced that it will launch Hopnosis IPA as a new Year-Round offering in late February 2022.

The long-awaited result of Firestone Walker’s “15-year quest to master the West Coast IPA style,” Hopnosis is a West Coast-style India Pale Ale featuring “hops from New Zealand and the Pacific Northwest, with a focus on Mosaic Cryo Hops® as well as Idaho 7 and Nelson.” Coming in at 6.7% ABV, Hopnosis rocks “an excellent balance of flavor and texture” which includes loads of “hop-derived flavors of mango, passionfruit, white grape and lychee.”

“Hopnosis represents everything we’ve learned about hopping techniques over the years, all rolled into one beer,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “This is our ultimate new-school expression of the West Coast IPA.”

“This is where the West Coast style is headed,” Brynildson said. “Aromatic hops and new hopping techniques are driving the future. On top of that, Cryo Hops® are opening up fresh possibilities. Now you can get all of the ‘oomph’ of hop saturation that you want from a West Coast IPA, but with less of that classic bitterness, more of these new-age hop flavors, and a whole new level of balance and drinkability.”

Hopnosis is rolling out now and will be available Year-Round in 6-packs and 12-packs of 12 oz. cans, 19.2 oz. cans and on draft. You can expect to see this new West Coast IPA at craft beer-friendly establishments located in California and throughout the rest of Firestone Walker’s distribution network. Prost!

Vital Information for Hopnosis IPA from Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Release – Year-Round; launching February 2022
Style – West Coast-style India Pale Ale
ABV – 6.7%
IBUs – 55
Hops – Kettle: Simcoe, Talus & Callista | Dry Hop: Mosaic Cryo, Idaho 7, El Dorado, Cashmere, Nelson Sauvin & Riwaka
Malts – 2-Row, Wheat, Carapils & Munich
Fun Fact – “The origins of Hopnosis date back to Firestone Walker’s original West Coast IPA—Union Jack, which was introduced in 2007. Hopnosis also reflects concepts learned while developing the Luponic Distortion revolving IPA series and the Mind Haze family of IPAs. Finally, it draws inspiration from numerous brewing collaborations here and abroad.”
Availability – 6-packs and 12-packs of 12 oz. cans, 19.2 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.firestonebeer.com/find-beer/


Firestone Walker Adds to Propagator Series With Release of Latest Crafted Thru Hops Mixed Pack

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Firestone Walker Brewing Company (Paso Robles, California) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of its newest Crafted Thru Hops Mixed Pack, an IPA-centric mixed 12-pack of 12 oz. cans that includes Comet – a brand new Propagator Series offering, in late December 2020.

Back again to supply you with all the hoppy goodness you could possibly want in a 12-pack, this edition of the Crafted Thru Hops Mixed 12-pack includes the following three Firestone Walker favorites while also being the only way to get your hands on cans of the latest Propagator Series release, Comet Single Hop Hazy IPA (descriptions sourced directly from the brewery’s press release):

  • Propagator Series – Comet Single Hop Hazy IPA – Comet is a classic yet largely overlooked American-grown hop variety that has become a favorite of the Firestone Walker brewing team—inspiring them to create this single-hop hazy IPA that offers a bright floral citrus fruit character with hints of coconut. “During selection in Yakima Valley, we walked through a Comet hop yard and were struck by how good it looked on the bine with these big, gnarly green cones,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “Rubbing some fresh-picked hops in the field convinced us that it was worth following up, and we fell in love with the results once we started brewing with it.” ABV – 5.6%
  • Mind Haze IPA – From the coast of California comes Mind Haze, a free-spirited beer made to elevate your perceptions—juicy, fresh and loaded with an imaginative array of tropical hop flavors. This is a hazy IPA done the Firestone way. Mind Haze is ultimately a beer that breaks the mold with explosive hop aromas, a luscious texture and enduring freshness. ABV – 6.2%
  • Double Jack Double IPA – Famed as one of the craft world’s trailblazing double IPAs, Double Jack is back by popular demand as a limited seasonal release. In the words of Brewmaster Matt Brynildson, “We stayed very true to the original recipe and the spirit of a legendary West Coast double IPA.” The result is a massively hopped yet improbably balanced double IPA—and an enduring throwback to the freewheeling origins of the West Coast style. ABV – 9.5%
  • Union Jack IPA – Huge flavor that packs a punch. This is Union Jack—an icon of the West Coast IPA style, for those who like their beer loud and proud. Union Jack is the IPA that helped blaze the trail for the revolutionary West Coast style. Named for the British Lion who co­founded the brewery, Union Jack is intensely hoppy yet eminently drinkable from start to finish. A fad-proof IPA for any hop head. ABV – 7%

This installment of the Crafted Thru Hops Mixed Pack is rolling out now and will only be available for a limited time. You can expect to find this Limited Release at craft beer-friendly retailers located in North Carolina, Texas, California and throughout the rest of Firestone Walker’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Firestone Walker Celebrates Another Year with Release of XXIV Anniversary Ale

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Firestone Walker Brewing Company (Paso Robles, California) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of XXIV Anniversary Ale, a masterfully blended Barrel-aged Strong Ale, in November 2020.

Blended with the help of Paso Robles winemakers (wineries include Denner, Halter Ranch, Herman Story, Ledge, Linne Calodo, Lone Madrone, Tablas Creek, Thacher, TH Estate Wines and Saxum) who participated in a remote blending experience due to all the challenges presented by 2020, XXIV Anniversary Ale is a Strong Ale comprised of the following “six distinct ales aged primarily in bourbon barrels, with a small portion aged in tequila barrels”:

  • Velvet Merkin – Milk Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels (27%)
  • Stickee Monkee – Central Coastal Quad aged in Bourbon Barrels (26%)
  • Parabola – Russian Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels (16%)
  • Smoked Imperial Walkers Reserve – Robust Porter brewed with beechwood smoked malt & aged in Bourbon Barrels (16%)
  • Bravo – Imperial Brown Ale aged in Bourbon Barrels (11%)
  • Tequila Barrel Helldorado – Blonde Barleywine aged in Tequila Barrels (4%)

“When I pour this in the glass, I have to smile knowing this is created with only traditional brewing ingredients, oak barrels, and time; and yet there is a distinct aroma of caramel pecan pie and the comforting taste of smores just off the fire. Toasty marshmallow, dark chocolate covered pralines, a dash of coconut and a hint of dark cherry. There is magic in the glass beyond beer. I will let you pour and discover the rest.”
– Matt Brynildson, Brewmaster

“XXIV is not only special because of the unique beers blended into it—it also represents a time when the world came to an abrupt stop, challenging us to innovate and evolve, which has always been a part of the success of our barrel program,” said Firestone Walker’s Quality Manager Amy Crook, who coordinated the remote blending experience along with Barrel Program Manager Eric Ponce.

 XXIV Anniversary Ale is rolling out now and will hang around only as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in North Carolina, Texas, California and throughout the rest of Firestone Walker’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for XXIV Anniversary Ale from Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Release – Limited; November 2020
Style – Strong Ale (blended)
ABV – 11.3%
IBUs – 29
Fun Fact – On the blending process behind XXIV Anniversary Ale: “Each year, the winemakers break into teams; create their own preferred blends from several barrel-aged component ales; then vote as a group on the winning blend—which then becomes the next Anniversary Ale. . . The winning blend—the basis for XXIV—was ultimately created by Winemaker Kevin Sass at Halter Ranch.”
Availability – 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.firestonebeer.com/find-beer/

Firestone Walker Introduces Chocolate Cherry Stout as New Seasonal

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Firestone Walker Brewing Company (Paso Robles, California) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of Chocolate Cherry Stout in mid-October 2020.

Developed to be “a fresh new twist to [Firestone Walker’s] seasonal stout tradition,” Chocolate Cherry Stout is a fall-centric American Stout brewed with cherries and cocoa nibs. Coming in at an easy-drinking 5.5% ABV, Chocolate Cherry Stout is a “quintessential seasonal stout offering subtle cherry fruit and chocolate-cocoa flavors with dark-roasted malt complexity and a rich, velvety mouthfeel.”

“What sets this beer apart from our past stouts is the inclusion of cherries, which are added during the fermentation process,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “It was a no-brainer as a next step for us, because who doesn’t like a dark chocolate and cherry flavor combo?

“I was weaned on Bell’s Cherry Stout back when I was a college student, and I still hold that beer up as the benchmark of this style,” Brynildson said. “Chocolate Cherry Stout draws inspiration from that beer while folding in some California soul.”

Chocolate Cherry Stout is rolling out now and will stick around for a limited time during the fall months. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in North Carolina, Texas, California and throughout the rest of Firestone Walker’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for Chocolate Cherry Stout from Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Seasonal; mid-October 2020
Style – American Stout
ABV – 5.5%
IBUs – 27
Malts – Two Row, Roast Barley, Crystal Dark, Crystal 75, Cara Pils, Lactose & Carafa Type III
Hops – Tettnager
Added Ingredients – Cherries & cocoa nibs
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.firestonebeer.com/find-beer/

Firestone Walker Announces Return of Double Jack DIPA

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Firestone Walker Brewing Company (Paso Robles, California) has officially announced that Double Jack Double IPA will return in September 2020 to act as the brewery’s Fall Seasonal.

Originally introduced in 2009 and now back by popular demand after it was discontinued in 2016, Double Jack is a West Coast-style Double India Pale Ale that is “triple dry-hopped after four initial hop additions in the brewhouse.” Weighing in at 9.5% ABV, Double Jack comes together to be “a massively hopped yet improbably balanced double IPA—and an enduring throwback to the freewheeling origins of the West Coast style.”

“Double Jack is a beer that has stood the test of time, and whose time has come again. It’s like saying hello to an old friend.”
– Matt Brynildson, Brewmaster at Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Double Jack is rolling out now and will hang around as long as supplies last during the fall months of 2020. You can expect to find this Seasonal offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located in North Carolina, Texas, California and throughout the rest of Firestone Walker’s distribution network. Prost!

Vital Information for Double Jack Double IPA from Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Release – Seasonal (Fall); launching September 2020
Style – Double India Pale Ale (West Coast-style)
ABV – 9.5%
IBUs – 75
Hops – Cascade, Centennial, Simcoe, Citra, Amarillo & Chinook
Malts – Two Row, Munich & Crystal Light
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.firestonebeer.com/find-beer/

Firestone Walker Releases Three New IPAs, Introduces Crafted Thru Hops Mixed 12-Pack

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FirestoneWalkerLogoBlack2Firestone Walker Brewing Company (Paso Robles, California) has officially announced that it will launch Crafted Thru Hops, an IPA-centric Mixed 12-pack that includes two new single-hop IPAs from the brewery’s Propagator Series and the latest iteration of Luponic Distortion IPA, in late February 2020.

The Crafted Thru Hops Mixed Pack is a variety 12-pack – available in both 12 oz. can and 12 oz. bottle packs – that highlights Firestone Walker’s vast experience in brewing world-class IPAs.  Containing a mix of both innovative new offerings and long-standing classics, the Crafted Thru Hops Mixed 12-pack includes everything from old school West Coast IPAs to Hazy IPAs.

This new Mixed 12-pack will feature two new single-hop India Pale Ales – El Dorado West Coast IPA and Motueka Hazy IPA – “developed in Firestone Walker’s Propagator pilot brewery in Venice, California, which specializes in R&D beers and limited local offerings.”  Here are the full descriptions of these two new brews (all descriptions sourced from the brewery’s press release):

  • Propagator El Dorado (only available in 12 oz. bottle pack of Crafted Thru Hops) – a West Coast IPA with a next-generation hop variety from the Pacific Northwest that offers soft stone fruit flavors with notes of tropical melon and pear.  ABV – 5.6%
  • Propagator Motueka (only available in 12 oz. can pack of Crafted Thru Hops) – a Hazy IPA with a New Zealand-grown hop that delivers punchy flavors of tropical fruit, white grape and lemon zest.  ABV – 5.6%

The 15th release in Firestone Walker’s Luponic Distortion series – a rotating IPA series that “features an ever-evolving mix of experimental hops, designed to deliver new and innovative flavors with each new release” – will also make an appearance in the Crafted Thru Hops Mixed 12-Pack.  This batch of Luponic Distortion IPA (5.9% ABV) showcases “emerging hops from New Zealand, personally sourced by Brewmaster Matt Brynildson during the Southern Hemisphere hop harvest.”  Hopheads can expect this “unique blend of hops of [to offer] explosive fruit flavors of kiwi, lychee and feijoa.”

“The hops from New Zealand have a unique tropical fruit character, which is showcased in our newest version of Luponic Distortion,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “While visiting the country’s hop farms we had the opportunity to taste some amazing feijoa fruit, which comes through in their hops. Although New Zealand is a small growing region for hops relatively speaking, it has become an important one for craft IPA producers.”

In addition to the beers described above, the Crafted Thru Hops Mixed 12-Pack will also include the following offerings:

  • Mind Haze (only available in 12 oz. can pack of Crafted Thru Hops) – This hazy IPA is juicy yet balanced and loaded with an imaginative array of tropical hop flavor.  ABV – 6.2%
  • Union Jack – This aggressively hopped West Coast IPA showcases stunning pineapple, citrus and piney aromas along with exceptional dry hop flavors of grapefruit and tangerine. This intense brew finds its balance in honey-like pale malt sweetness.  ABV – 7.0%
  • Easy Jack (only available in 12 oz. bottle pack of Crafted Thru Hops) – This session IPA is brewed and dry-hopped with a selection of new hop varieties from Europe, New Zealand and North America, delivering massive hop aromas and a natural malt balance.  ABV – 4.0%

“Our ‘Crafted Thru Hops’ mixed packs come with a variety of Firestone Walker’s IPAs so we can give our customers the opportunity to experience our vast selection of flavors,” said David Walker, co-founder and CEO of Firestone Walker. “El Dorado and Motueka are prime examples of the innovative beers born from our Propagator brewhouse, making our mix packs a great opportunity to experience both the new and very best of Firestone Walker.”

The Crafted Thru Hops Mixed 12-Pack is rolling out now in Firestone Walker’s full distribution area.  Propagator El Dorado and Propagator Motueka are available exclusively in the Crafted Thru Hops Mixed 12-Pack while Luponic Distortion IPA – 15 is also available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft.  Prost!

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Firestone Walker Unveils Molé Merkin Barrel-aged Milk Stout

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FirestoneWalkerLogoBlackFirestone Walker Brewing Company (Paso Robles, California) has officially announced that Molé Merkin, the fourth out of five Proprietor’s Vintage releases slated for 2019, is available now for a limited time.

Inspired heavily by “family recipes inherited from [Barrel Program Manager Eric Ponce’s] grandmothers,” Molé Merkin is a Milk Stout aged in “bourbon barrels with additions of Puya chile peppers, cocoa nibs and cinnamon to capture the essence of the traditional Mexican sauce known as molé.” This treatment gives the beer “a hint of sweet spice” from the added cinnamon, “while the cocoa nibs bring luscious balance to the medium lingering heat of the peppers.”  Clocking in at 7.8% ABV, Molé Merkin “is a smooth, chocolaty stout with its own distinctive kick.”

“Fall is a perfect time of year to enjoy Molé Merkin. It offers these warming spices that really go with the cooling weather and vibes of autumn.

 

This beer has a lot of personal meaning behind it. Every time I taste it, it brings back childhood memories of family dinners and gatherings, where molé dishes were a staple. It’s that sense of joy and flavor that I wanted to convey with Molé Merkin.”

 

– Eric Ponce, Barrel Program Manager at Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Molé Merkin is rolling out now and will be available only as long as supplies last.  You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in individually boxed 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in North Carolina, Texas, California and throughout the rest of Firestone Walker’s distribution network. Prost!

Vital Information for Molé Merkin from Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Proprietor’s Vintage; late September/early October 2019
Style – Milk Stout
ABV – 7.8%
Treatment – Aged in bourbon barrels with additions of Puya chile peppers, cocoa nibs & cinnamon
Fun Fact – “Ponce chose Velvet Merkin as the base beer because it was the perfect foil for the style he envisioned: ‘As a milk stout, it has this creaminess that evokes the creamy texture of molé. It also has chocolate notes that play really well with the cocoa nibs and cinnamon.'”
Availability – Individually boxed 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.firestonebeer.com/find/

 

Firestone Walker Enters Falls with the Release of Coconut Merlin Milk Stout

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FirestoneWalkerLogoBlackFirestone Walker Brewing Company (Paso Robles, California) has officially announced that it will introduce Coconut Merlin Milk Stout as its newest Seasonal Release in late September 2019.

Conjured up to serve as the latest variant of Firestone Walker’s Merlin Milk Stout, Coconut Merlin takes that signature Milk Stout base and doses it with freshly shredded and toasted coconut after fermentation.  With milk sugar adding “dimension to the mouthfeel,” Coconut Merlin (5.5% ABV) comes together to be a smooth-sipping, cold weather brew that showcases “the best flavors from the coconut.”

“Coconut and Merlin milk stout go together like peanut butter and chocolate.  Toasted coconut really complements the roasty, nutty character of this beer. It’s a perfect sipper for the fall season.”

 

– Matt “Merlin” Brynildson, Brewmaster at Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Coconut Merlin is rolling out now and is scheduled to last into the months of winter.  You can expect to find this new Seasonal offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in North Carolina, Texas, California and throughout the rest of Firestone Walker’s distribution network.  Prost!

Vital Information for Coconut Merlin from Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Release – Seasonal; launching late September 2019
Style – Milk Stout
ABV – 5.5%
Added Ingredients – Toasted coconut & lactose
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.firestonebeer.com/find/

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Firestone Walker Brewing Company Introduces Cocktail-Inspired Old Man Hattan

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FirestoneWalkerLogoFirestone Walker Brewing Company (Paso Robles, California) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of Old Man Hattan – “an eccentric barrel-aged mashup of two classic cocktails: the Old Fashioned and the Manhattan” – in mid-July.

Originally introduced “last year as a brewery-only Black Friday limited release”, Old Man Hattan has now returned to act as one of only six Proprietor’s Vintage releases from Firestone Walker in 2019.  Meant to mimic the character of both an Old Fashioned and a Manhattan, Old Man Hattan starts with a base beer consisting of “a blend of signature Firestone Walker component beers, including Velvet Merkin, Bravo and Stickee Monkee aged in whiskey barrels.” Things then take an interesting turn when that base beer is introduced to “select lots of Parabola and Helldorado that were aged in barrels previously used to mature cherry, orange and aromatic bitters.”  Weighing in at smooth but warming 10.5% ABV, Old Man Hattan comes together to be a “barnstorming beer that exhibits pronounced whiskey notes while artfully expressing essences of both the Old Fashioned and the Manhattan cocktails.”

“Old Man Hattan is really true to its dual influences,” said Eric Ponce, Firestone Walker’s barrel program manager. “On the nose, you get hints of cherry, orange and clove spice. It’s extremely smooth and drinkable, with traditional whiskey characters of tobacco and bitter chocolate.”

 

He added, “If you’re a fan of the Old Fashioned, Manhattan or other whiskey-based cocktails, you’re going to love this beer.”

Old Man Hattan is scheduled to roll out in mid-July and plans to hang around only as long as supplies last.  You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in individually boxed 12-ounce bottles at select craft beer-focused establishments located in North Carolina, Texas, California and throughout the rest of Firestone Walker’s expansive distribution territory. Prost!

Vital Information for Old Man Hattan from Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Proprietor’s Vintage; mid-July 2019
Style – Strong Ale (blended)
ABV – 10.5%
IBUs – 30
Treatment – A carefully blended ale that unites a base beer consisting of a blend of signature Firestone Walker component beers – including Velvet Merkin, Bravo and Stickee Monkee aged in whiskey barrels – with select lots of Parabola and Helldorado that were aged in barrels previously used to mature cherry, orange and aromatic bitters
Availability – 12 oz. bottles (individually boxed)
Beer Finder – https://www.firestonebeer.com/find/

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