Firestone Walker Anniversary Ale XXVI (355ml) / 26th Anniversary Ale

An annual beer that blends several types of barrel-aged beers in delicate proportions, with the help of local wine blenders each year. A complex flavor with nuances of bourbon barrels, chocolate, vanilla, and coffee.

Each fall, Firestone Walker collaborates with local winemakers to finish this beer, created to commemorate Firestone Walker's anniversary.

Founded in 1996, Firestone Walker celebrates its 26th anniversary in 2022, thus it is named XXVI Anniversary Ale.

The journey to the creation of the Anniversary Ale begins with groups of winemakers creating original blends by combining countless ingredients.

All created blends are then selected through blind tasting, and the chosen blend becomes the base for that year's Anniversary Ale.

Matt Brynildson, Brewmaster at Firestone Walker, says, "Winemakers are sophisticated in the art of blending.

That's why their cooperation has been indispensable since we started this Anniversary Ale in 2006."

This year's 26th-anniversary blend is centered around two bourbon barrel-aged stouts, but other barrel flavors and characteristics also intricately intertwine and harmonize.

In addition to the bourbon barrel-derived flavors, you will likely detect notes of milk chocolate, vanilla, coffee, and even butterscotch candy.

The breakdown of this year's blend is as follows (percentages in parentheses):

・Parabola – Russian Imperial Stout – Aged in Bourbon Barrels (32%)・Velvet Merkin – Milk Stout – Aged in Bourbon Barrels (32%)・Bravo – Imperial Brown Ale – Aged in Bourbon Barrels (24%)・Heavy Things – Barley Wine collaborated with The Bruery – Aged in Brandy Barrels (6%)・Helldorado – Blonde Barley Wine – Aged in Bourbon Barrels (4%)・Wheat Wine -Strong Golden Barley Wine Co-Fermented with White Wine Grape Juice – Aged in Bourbon Barrels (2%)Also, the winning team consists of members from the following wineries:・Valia From and Emily Miller – Desparada Wines・Russell From – Herman Story Wines・Danny Becker, Editor-in-Chief of TheFullPint.com

• ABV: 11%
• IBU: -
• Category: Beer
• Ingredients: Malt, Oats, Lactose, Glucose, Grape Juice, Hops
• Hops: -
• Brewery: Firestone Walker
• Style: Barrel-aged Ale
• Volume: 355ml
• Container: Bottle