Helldorado
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Story by:
Chris Guest
Barrel-Aged Strong Ale
Limited Release
California
United States
Judges Ratings 88
Aroma: 22 / 24
Flavor: 34 / 40
Appearance: 6 / 6
Mouthfeel: 10 / 10
Overall Impression: 16 / 20
Description
An Imperial Blonde Ale or Blonde Barley Wine; Helldorado has the lightest color of any of the beers in our barrel program but carries a great deal of interesting barrel character: vanilla, light char and amazing lavender-honey notes. Rich boozy honey liqueur character and loads of smooth sweet toasted malt to finish. The El Dorado hops dance in the background without playing a dominant role in the flavor profile. This beer gets better and better the longer it is in barrel.
Beverage Profile
ABV: 13.20%
IBUs: 25
Served at: ()
Hops:
Malts:
Judges Review
By Michael Heniff
Judges Ratings 88
Aroma: 22 / 24 / 24
Flavor: 34 / 40 / 40
Appearance: 6 / 6 / 6
Mouthfeel: 10 / 10 / 10
Overall Impression: 16 / 20 / 20
The first impression of this brew is an intense bourbon aroma with an accompaniment of toasted oak and vanilla. Bold and boozy all the way through, this barrel-aged beer oozes with aromas and flavors from both the spirits and their casks, with toasted oak and vanilla being most prominent. Only a hint of malt penetrates the flavor, and the El Dorado hops never appear. Finishing light on bitterness, the bourbon and toasted oak remain at the forefront with a prominent, yet never hot, alcoholic warmth. Quite enjoyable and perhaps dangerously drinkable, more malt character would make this beer more well-rounded. Then again, that seems not to have been the brewer’s intention!
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