(NW) Firestone Walker’s Solace Unfiltered Ale Gets a B+
Seattle, WA – Last week resting on our doorstep was a box with two little twelve ounce bottles of a beer for which we had not heard of. All the way from Paso Robles and Firestone Walker comes another in their limited edition series of beers Solace Unfiltered Ale.
Admittedly we weren’t sure what to make of a beer that listed itself as a “sort of unfiltered fusion of a Hefeweizen and a Belgian Saison. “ (as phrased by Firestone Walker Brewmaster Matt Brynildson). So we instead just grabbed our nose, our taste buds, and eyes to check out this beer.
Popping the cap we are reminded of the iconic logo that is featured on each one of their bottles. But without getting too nostalgic we proceed to empty the contents of our beer into the glass noticing the orange (almost sunset-like) and opaque appearance. A strong tapioca colored foamy head is noticeable on top, which only slowly fades away leaving little in the way of lace behind.
A couple of swirls around and one cannot help notice bits of lemon zest, clove, honey, minor banana, and a bit of musty-ness.
Closing our eyes we take a sip allowing the citrus, vanilla, and earth tones wash around as a bit of hay reminds of us of time spent out in the country during the dry summers. Overall this beer produces a medium finish on the palette and if one had some poultry laying around (mmm barbecue) this might hit the spot.
Overall 3.80 / 5.00 B+
Thoughts by your colleagues
Beeradvocate.com / http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/2210/57242
Ratebeer.com / http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/firestone-walker-solace/116773/
Founded in 1996 on California’s Central Coast, Firestone Walker Brewing Company is a regional brewery committed to quality, innovation and tradition. Firestone Walker Brewing Company remains the only American brewery to ferment beer in a union of oak barrels, a classic British brewing method that dates back to the mid 19th century. Firestone Walker Brewing Company was named “Mid-Size Brewing Company of The Year” at the 2007 and 2003 Great American Beer Festivals and “Champion Brewery” for the category of Mid-Size Brewing Company at the 2006 and 2004 World Beer Cups. –source, Firestone Walker Brewing
Cheers
About the photos’ author
Paul “Fruit Trees” Orchard, is an amateur craft beer enthusiast and amateur photographer. Throughout the many years in craft beer he is always carrying a camera (smartphone, digital, traditional) and is invites you to see that beer can also be exciting even if you can’t drink the photo.
In accordance with new FTC regulations regarding bloggers and endorsements, the aforementioned company has provided me a free sample that was used for research prior to writing this review.
