Firestone Walker’s classic Wookey Jack Black Rye IPA emerges for a limited time in cans as a new winter seasonal favorite

Back in the early aughts when one of the hottest new styles of beer was Cascadian Dark Ales or so called Black IPAs, Firestone Walker Brewing’s Wookey Jack Black Rye IPA was considered one of the best and most popular. It’s been quite awhile since Wookey Jack was in the regular lineup as trends moved towards hazy IPA, fruited sours, and lagers, but the now cult-like status has demanded the classic beer return at least for limited runs.

Born more than a dozen years ago, Wookey Jack (8.3%) Black Rye IPA is back for a limited seasonal release in six pack (12-ounce can) and draft formats for a limited time, adding to the lore of this three-time gold medalist at the Great American Beer Festival.

“Wookey Jack has a hardcore following and we get asked about it all the time,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “It’s a beer for those in the know and those who want to discover something different. Everyone loves the visual trick of Wookey Jack—it’s as black as a stout but drinks like an IPA.”

The latest edition of Wookey Jack remains faithful to the original recipe, which includes loads of pearled dark malts with rye adding a rustic grain element. The hops are sticky Citra and dank, pungent Amarillo, both of which are incorporated into a massive dry-hop regimen. As always, the brewing team claims to have incorporated a bit of “Wookey Dust” as well.

Wookey Jack now reaffirms its title Firestone Walker’s wooliest IPA, offering big, toasty malted rye flavors with a balanced bite on the finish. It is, in Brynildson’s words, “gnarly on the outside, yet refined on the inside.”  

Origin Story

Wookey Jack was first brewed in 2012 as Firestone Walker’s riff on the emerging Black IPA style.

Wookey Jack came into the world at a time when Cascadian Dark Ales were starting to storm into California from the Pacific Northwest. Also known as Black IPAs, these beers brought a unique regional expression to the exploding IPA genre. 

With Black Rye IPAs gaining a foothold, Brynildson decided to put his own stamp on the style, adding rye malt to bring a spicy, rustic element to the beer he would call Wookey Jack. It was an instant hit that would spawn many imitators. After later going on hiatus, Wookey Jack has re-emerged in recent years as a seasonal release. 

“It’s a beer that just seems right for fall and winter,” Brynildson said. “The Wookey never dies—it just hibernates.”

Founded in 1996 by brothers-in-law Adam Firestone and David Walker, Firestone Walker is a second-generation, family-led brewery based on California’s Central Coast. More at 805beer.com and FirestoneWalker.com