Firestone Walker XXIII Anniversary Ale

This 23rd anniversary ale is from Firestone Walker Brewing Company of Paso Robles, California. It is an 11.5% ABV blended ale. Each anniversary since their tenth, the brewery has gotten together with local vintners and put together a blended beer for their anniversary.

This year the blend was:
28% BA Stickee Monkee Quad
28% BA Parabola Russian Imperial Stout
20% BA Bravo Imperial Brown Ale
15% BA Helldorado Barley Wine
5% BA Velvet Merkin Milk Stout
4% Tequila Barrel Helldorado Barley Wine

All of the blend was barrel aged beers, and they were all aged in bourbon barrels except for the one tequila barrel beer. 

The beer pours a very dark brown to black in color. There is a short head of tan foam. The aroma is sweet, bourbon, toffee, vanilla, caramel, oak, cherry, a touch of molasses, a touch of mocha coffee, along with chocolate brownies. The taste follows the aromas, rich, sweet, dessert-like, with ample, but not too strong, bourbon notes. Despite all the sweetness the finish is only semi-sweet, with a moderate bitterness arriving in the aftertaste. It drinks rich and smooth, with a light carbonation that is perfectly suited to the beer. This is absolute delicious perfection.