Style: Barrel Aged Barleywine

ABV: 13.5 IBU: 42.0

99/100

Aroma:	12
Appearance:	3
Flavor:	20
Mouthfeel:	5

Firestone Walker Brewing Company Sucaba

What the brewers say

“Big boozy bourbon and American oak aromas combine with soft chocolate malt undertones. Complex malt avors framed in oak with hints of dark choc- olate, vanilla, toasted coconut, and a touch of dark cherry. A sipping beer.”

What our panel thought

Aroma: “Cinnamon, cloves, rum-like molasses, and tequila-like peppery spices. Vanilla and coconut. Some alcohol on the nose. Rich dark caramel notes with a nice hint of oak.”

Flavor: “Robust molasses, brown sugar, and vanilla accompany a nicely balanced bitterness. It’s almost like a barleywine spiced rum, but even spiced rum isn’t this good. Nice raisin/cherry highlights and a pleasant semisweet chocolate and cocoa flavor, followed by a hint of coconut. Pleasant alcohol warmth, spicy and soothing.”

Overall: “The rum-like character to this beer is intriguing. One gets the impression of sweetness without the physical sensation on the tongue. A well-executed barrel-aged sipper: The blend of rich candied character with the barrel and aging work well together. Nice sweet, warm finish that makes it very enjoyable for sipping.”

What our editors thought

Review printed in: Big Beers (December 2015-January 2016) (View All Issues)

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How We Review

REVIEWS FOR YOU >

Firestone Walker Sucaba 2019

“A bourbon alcohol note on the aroma complements the dried-fruit, caramel, vanilla, and leather. Brown sugar, caramel, vanilla, and crystal malt–like notes are complemented by pleasant oak-forward flavors and subtle layered dried-fruit esters.”

Firestone Walker Brewing Co. Stickee Monkee

**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!”

Firestone Walker Brewing Co Scuba 2022

“Notes of rich cocoa, toffee, raisins, and dark cherries float above a barrel character with some spirit notes and pleasant oxidation. The flavor continues the dark-chocolate notes with a nice, warming alcohol and residual-spirit character. Smooth, drinkable, and full of luscious flavors.”

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