Firestone Walker releases 28th annual Anniversary Ale
Each year, Paso Robles winemakers collaborate with Firestone Walker brewers to blend the ale
– Firestone Walker’s 28th Anniversary Ale, “XXVIII,” has been released as part of the brewery’s renowned Anniversary Ale program. The beer, a blend of seven distinct barrel-aged beers, is crafted with the expertise of local Paso Robles winemakers. The components include barrel-aged beers like Bravo, Stickee Monkee, and Helldorado, with influences from bourbon and rye whiskey barrels.
Brewmaster Matt Brynildson noted that this year’s blend balances caramel, bourbon, and rye aromas, with decadent smoothness and complexity. The beer, now available in limited quantities, is being distributed across Firestone Walker markets and can also be purchased online at FirestoneWalker.com.
Each year, Paso Robles winemakers collaborate with Firestone Walker brewers to blend the Anniversary Ale. For the ale, the winning blend was crafted by winemakers Molly Lonborg of Alta Colina Winery and Little Soul Wines, and Kyle Jury and CC Aguirre of Booker Wines. Brynildson praised their blend as “head and shoulders above the rest.”
The seven barrel-aged components of the ale include:
- DDBA (9%), aged in bourbon barrels, Imperial Special Bitter
- Stickee Monkee (37%), aged in bourbon barrels, Central Coast Quad
- Bravo (28%), aged in bourbon barrels, Imperial Brown Ale
- Helldorado (4%), aged in bourbon barrels, Blonde Barleywine
- Velvet Merkin (4%), aged in bourbon barrels, Milk Stout
- Weldwerks Stout Blend (7%), aged in bourbon barrels, Imperial Stout
- PaRyebola (11%), aged in straight rye whiskey barrels, Imperial Stout
The full blending team also includes Sherman Thacher, Russell From, Vailia From, Steve Martell, Bastien Leduc, Pete Slosberg, Arie Litman, Brandon Hernandez, and several Beer Club members.
For more information, visit FirestoneWalker.com.
