One of America’s premiere brewers of barrel-aged beer have announced the release of their 25th anniversary blend, this year in tandem with an Anniversary Trio Pack. Every year Firestone Walker Brewing invites winemakers into the barrel room to tap into their palate and blending expertise to create something unique and expressive that defines traditional beer styles. Firestone Walker 25 is a tour-de-force of five barrel-aged beers and will be released in 12oz bottles.

For the first time ever, this years 2021 Anniversary Ale is being released with a limited Trio Pack featuring “25” as well as two component ales—2021 Parabola Autumn Edition and 2021 Stickee Monkee.

More from a press release:

“This is a beer that truly rises to the occasion of our 25th anniversary,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “It represents many of the core elements that have made our brewery what it is today: exceptionally talented people, innovation, barrels, hard work, patience and beautiful beers.”

“25” and the Anniversary Trio Pack are now rolling out to all Firestone Walker markets, and are also available at the brewery’s locations in Paso Robles, Buellton and Venice. “25” comes as an individually boxed 12-ounce bottle accompanied by extensive brewmaster notes. The boxed trio pack features one 12-ounce bottle each of “25,” Parabola Autumn Edition and Stickee Monkee. 

Masterfully Blended

On July 15, 2021 an all-star cast of Paso Robles winemakers convened at the brewery for an annual summer rite: the blending of Firestone Walker’s next Anniversary Ale. They broke into teams to create their own preferred blends from five barrel-aged component ales, then voted as a group on the winning blend.

The result is “25”—a masterwork of flavor and complexity, blended from five distinct ales aged in bourbon, brandy and tequila barrels.

Firestone Walker’s collaboration with local winemakers dates back to 2006, when Brynildson was tasked with creating the inaugural Anniversary Ale to mark the brewery’s 10th anniversary year.

“We started with just a few barrels of beer and a few of our closest winemaker friends, and the result was the most complex and interesting beer we had ever made—ultimately sparking the longest and strongest collaboration we have participated in,” Brynildson said. “They outdid themselves this year, and I couldn’t be happier with ‘25’—it’s an absolutely beautiful beer.”

“25”: The Final Blend

Winemakers from the following Paso Robles wineries participated in this year’s blending: Booker Vineyard, Desparada Wines, Epoch Estate Wines, Halter Ranch Vineyard, Herman Story, Ledge Vineyards, Tablas Creek Vineyard, TH Estate Wines, Thacher Winery and Torrin Wine.

For the first time, the winemakers were joined by two members of Firestone Walker’s Brewmaster’s Collective beer club, who won the chance to participate in the blending session. Russell From of Herman Story Wines and Taylor Mathiesen of Booker Vineyard, along with Brewmaster’s Collective club member Paul Rios (with guest Christian Smith), created the winning blend that became “25.”

Parabola Autumn Edition - Aged in Bourbon Barrels (41%)

Russian Imperial Stout

Tequila Barrel Merkin - Aged in Bourbon Barrels (28%)

Milk Stout                                                                  

Brandy Barrel Barley Wine - Aged in Brandy Barrels (13%)

Blonde Barley Wine

Stickee Monkee - Aged in Bourbon Barrels (10%)

Central Coastal Quad

Whiskey Barrel Wheat Wine - Aged in Tequila Barrels (8%)

Strong Golden Barley Wine