Firestone Walker Brewing Company Parabola

**Aroma:** “Bourbon, vanilla, oak, dark chocolate, coconut, molasses, coffee, and a touch of licorice. Cherry, raisin, plum. Strong malt sweetness. Open and bold whiskey/bourbon–barrel notes. Definitely leans more toward the barrel than the base beer. Inviting mild sherry oxidation with a bit of cardboard.” **Flavor:** “Flavor delivers on the nose: intense barrel notes, with the chocolate and vanilla turned up to eleven. Sweet cherry and raisin/dark fruit blend well with the barrel. Great mix of mild phenols, evocative esters, and alcohol warmth. Nice sherry character.” **Overall:** “The barrel is strong with big vanilla and bourbon, complemented by cherry fruitiness that pulls it together. A wonderful sipper, and an amazing example of what a barrel can impart to a beer in the hands of a talented and deft brewer. More, please!”

**Aroma:** “Big oak with nearly no hops aroma. Nice roasty notes with some earthy and nutty flavors as well as big bourbon and vanilla notes on the front, balanced with a nice caramel and oatmeal malt sweetness. Subtle roasted malt comes through as espresso at the end.” **Flavor:** “Caramel, almond, and oak showcase. The vanilla character is strong and carries through. Nice roasted notes of coffee and malt help keep it from being too sweet. Cherry and plum esters. Balanced, with a pleasant sweetness that lingers in the finish.” **Overall:** “Beer candy. This is the sort of beer you either love or laugh at—a ridiculously oaked beer that manages to pull it off. You could finish a bomber of this on your own and not regret it. Perhaps the most drinkable barrel-aged stout I’ve had, while still remaining one of the tastiest.”

“Orange peel, lemon meringue, lime, apple, and green tea in the nose create a clean, fruity, and inviting aroma. The apple flavors are supported by a cinnamon-like spice and a tart, citric acidity that balances the sweet spice. The package comes across like an autumn-spiced version of the style.”