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/