Style: Stout (Barrel-aged)

ABV: 12.0

95/100

Aroma:	12
Appearance:	3
Flavor:	19
Mouthfeel:	5

The Big Friendly Year Three

What the brewers say

“Aged in double-oaked Woodford Reserve bourbon barrels.”

What our panel thought

“Roast, dark chocolate, coffee, caramel, coconut blend with a decided sherry/sweet vermouth character in the nose. Burnt caramel and marshmallow in the flavor.”

What our editors thought

“Strong almond notes play against charred oak in the nose, offering the allure of sweetness without excessive sugar. Spicy and urgent in the sip, younger, with woody and nutty tones that feel luxurious but not staid.”

Review printed in: The Malt Is the Message (Spring 2024) (View All Issues)

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REVIEWS FOR YOU >

The Big Friendly Bourbon Barrel Oil Boom

“Aroma of light chocolate and coffee with a hint of WO sauce. A touch of wood, with some spirit, light raisin. Rich and deep flavor: sweet brown bread, chocolate, espresso dominate. Savory/sweet backbone throughout. Finish is rich. Carbonation seems a bit tingling and not creamy. Great rich flavor throughout. A touch of acidic sharpness in the finish takes away from it some, but overall enjoyable.”

Melvin Brewing Eureka (House of Flying Barrels) Three Years!

“The beer is presented still (not sure if that is intentional). Bitter baker’s chocolate aromatics combined with hints of oaky vanilla create an interesting and inviting nose. The balanced flavor combination of dark chocolate, vanilla, oak, roast malt creates a flavor profile that ticks a lot of boxes for the dessert-stout lover.”

The Big Friendly Vanilla Boom

“Black with a wisp of brown head. Decadent nose of brownie batter, vanilla, brown sugar, bourbon, espresso. Roasted maltiness adds complexity. Espresso, dark chocolate, vanilla, treacle, rum, vintage port. The age is there with some raisins and amaretto. Heavyweight body, with a lot of residual sugars, but not cloying. Alcohol is warming but not hot. A great beer.”

FRESH BEERS >

The best new craft beers available in a beer store near you. Sponsored content.

New Belgium Dominga Grapefruit

New Belgium wood cellar blender Lauren Limbach was gifted a new foeder that she aptly named Dominga—a play on the Spanish word for Sunday. She first created a mimosa-inspired golden sour called “Dominga: Goddess of Brunch.” Now we are excited to introduce the cocktail-inspired version, Dominga Grapefruit Paloma. Inspired by the classic cocktail of Mexico, Dominga packs a refreshing combo of bright grapefruit and lime flavors, along with agave and a pinch of salt.

Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest

Oaktoberfest is our oak-inspired homage to the great German tradition of Oktoberfest. We go the extra mile of maturing this beer in French oak barrels to create an amazingly smooth mouthfeel. The result is a classic German festbier with a hint of West Coast hoppiness. Grab your stein, don your lederhosen, and enjoy!

Firestone Walker Parabola ’24

Parabola is always a beast of a beer, with intense flavors of black cherry, dark chocolate, vanilla, and roast coffee—yet each annual release also bears its own subtle imprint. For this latest edition, we aged the beer for a year in 12-year Elijah Craig barrels. These coveted bourbon barrels imparted signature notes of charred oak, caramel, and cinnamon, taking the Parabola experience to new heights. Pour some out in your favorite snifter; behold the impossibly opaque color as you allow it to warm up a bit; and then let the dark magic of Parabola stun your palate with its unrivaled flavor and complexity.

Sierra Nevada Cosmic Little Thing Hazy Double IPA

For the latest in the Hazy IPA series, ride Sierra Nevada’s interstellar wave of tropical flavor in this Cosmic Little Thing, a hazy nebula glowing with Comet, Strata, and Helios hops for notes of citrus, berries, and lychee. Head into orbit with this 8 percent ABV hazy double IPA before the next Hazy IPA rotator hits. Look for Cosmic Little Thing in six-packs and 19.2 oz singles.

Firestone Walker Cosmic Crusher Juicy Imperial IPA

Out-of-this-world flavor that packs a punch—take a journey with Cosmic Crusher. “Cosmic Crusher is our crazy adventure into the realm of imperial juicy IPAs,” says brewmaster Matt Brynildson. Cosmic Crusher is built around two ultra-tropical hops—Galaxy and Strata. The result is a level of flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel that can only materialize at high strength, crossing the line into a whole new cosmos of punchy mango and pineapple character. SKUs available: 12 oz six-pack cans, 19.2 oz single serve, and Mind Haze Variety Pack.

Firestone Walker Luponic Distortion

Luponic Distortion is the Firestone Walker trailblazer that continues to break the rules, back for the first time since 2021. The classic Luponic Distortion base recipe returns with an all-new hop blend to deliver a fresh blast from the past. Brewed with a secret blend of new-age hops, the 2024 edition of Luponic Distortion turns up the volume with mind-bending flavors of lychee, peach, nectarine, and strawberry. Available exclusively in the Beer Before Glory IPA Mixed Pack.