Firestone Walker has announced the release of the latest vintage of their iconic Parabola imperial stout, along with a limited small-batch spinoff called Paraboloid. This new vintage of Parabola has been aged for a year in a rare blend of spirits barrels from Blanton’s and W.L. Weller distilleries, while Paraboloid has been aged in premium 20-year-old Elijah Craig bourbon barrels.
The 2023 vintage of Parabola is set to roll out in limited 12-ounce bottle and draft formats across all Firestone Walker markets. The new blend of barrels has resulted in a rich and complex flavor profile that features intense notes of black cherry, dark chocolate, vanilla, and roasted coffee, with subtle undertones of toasted coconut and cocoa nibs. According to Brewmaster Matt Brynildson, the wheated whiskey barrels have accentuated the beer’s signature richness with fine notes of cereal grain, adding a flavorful new twist to the story of Parabola.
Paraboloid’s aging process has resulted in a beer with a mellow flavor profile that features hints of oak, fudge, and chocolate brownie. The beer was aged for a full 18 months prior to blending and bottling, resulting in an ultra-smooth mouthfeel that perfectly complements this prodigiously flavorful stout.
Firestone Walker’s Parabola dates back to 2005 when it was created as a component for Firestone Walker’s first barrel-aged Anniversary Ale, Ten. The inaugural Anniversary Ale was released the following year and became an immediate sensation. Since then, Parabola gained a cult reputation of its own, finally meriting its own stand-alone release in 2010. Today, Parabola maintains a perfect 100-point rating on Beer Advocate.
Raymond
Terry Bunch
