Thursday, August 2, 2012

Review: Firestone Walker Double Jack DIPA

Brewery:  Firestone Walker Brewing Company
Locale:  Paso Robles, CA
Craft Circa:  1996
Style:  American Imperial IPA / Double IPA
ABV:  9.5%
IBUs:  75
Notables: 
2012 - - World Beer Cup Champion Brewery and Brewmaster, Mid-size Brewing Company
2010 - - World Beer Cup Champion Brewery and Brewmaster, Mid-size Brewing Company


Label:  Great looking label and bottle.  As you are opening this gem, it has the feel of something vintage, and quite special. 

Overall:   First off, happy IPA Day.  I like to usually crack open a bottle or 6 of something I haven’t necessarily tried before for B&B purposes. However, because it’s a holiday and an important one at that, I wanted to write a little piece on one of my favorites, if not my favorite brew out there, and that is Firestone’s Double Jack.  There is usually one or two in the fridge on a consistent basis.  What better way to celebrate IPA day, than to drink a double dose of it.   

Start to finish it is an exceptional brew.  Initially, the aroma is that of a pine tree forest and intrigues you to jump in.  The color of amber lures you in even further.  Once you do it’s like jumping into Scrooge McDuck’s pile of money it tastes that good.    It’s amazing how smooth the brew is for the hops and bite that comes with it.  Double Jack is full of flavor and full of enjoyment.  It’s an aggressive, supernatural beer, but in no way shape or form does it abuse its powers.  It’s out there for the common good, and you should be thankful this beer exists. 

It being an Imperial, or Double IPA, keep in mind these are superior, bolder, and if you are lucky higher in flavor from the traditional IPAs.  Firestone delivers on all accounts, and then some. It’s a great combination of bittering, kettle and dry hops, a melting pot of sweetness.   

For beers, this is the Breaking Bad of TV dramas, the Exile on Main Street of music albums, the Steel Curtain of NFL defenses.  Very few compete with this style of beer from Firestone Walker.  Imperial IPAs are a genre of beer I love to find good ones of let alone phenomenal ones of.   

So happy holidays, get yourself a bottle, celebrate and take another drink from your soon to be Loving Cup. 



Acquisition:  22 oz. - $8

A reminder from Firestone Walker:  Remember to watch for bottled on dates located on the necks or bottom left corner of the label for each of our beers.  Our beer is not pasteurized, so it is best when stored at 44F or below, out of light and within 120 days of the bottled on date...this ensures freshness and ultimately a great Firestone Walker beer!

~gY


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