Firestone-Walker Union Jack

gonzo brewer · 04-21-2008, 09:13 PM

Am I the only one that loves this IPA?

I traveled up to SLO 2 weeks ago and had this on tap in Buelton. very smooth for an IPA at 7.5%. Bought a six pack which tastes very good also.

I spoke to one of the guys who helps brewing, he said this is brewed with lots of late hopping using chinook and cascade. 2 separate Dry hop additions for a total of 2 weeks. They also use some MO pale along with the 2-row and crystal 40L. Advertised at 70 IBU, yet my friends who don't like IPA's liked this beer.

San_Diego_Matt · 04-21-2008, 10:47 PM

We've had a few kegs of Union Jack here in San Diego recently and I too think it's fantastic

Brewsmith · 04-21-2008, 10:59 PM

It just won a silver in the World Beer Cup

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f5/2008-world-beer-cup-winners-63392/
http://www.beertown.org/events/wbc/winners_list/winners_2008.html

Category 81: American-Style India Pale Ale (77 Entries)

Gold - IPA Odell Brewing Co.
Fort Collins, Colorado

Silver - Union Jack IPA, Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Paso Robles, California

Bronze - India Pelican Ale, Pelican Pub & Brewery
Pacific City, Oregon

brewt00l · 04-22-2008, 12:16 AM

I have a buddy out in Fresno for work bringing back some Firestone Walker with him this weekend. He said that the pale ale was pretty duff but some of the others were quite tasty. I'm looking forward to tasting their brews.

gonzo brewer · 04-22-2008, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewt00l

I have a buddy out in Fresno for work bringing back some Firestone Walker with him this weekend. He said that the pale ale was pretty duff but some of the others were quite tasty. I'm looking forward to tasting their brews.

I agree their pale is nothing to write home about.
Their Double Barrel Pale Ale is quite good on tap and is pretty unique. A must try if you haven't already.
I bought a bottle of their Reserve, which I'll try on the next special occasion - probably this weekend when the Lakers knock off the Nuggets.

GlassblowersBrew · 04-24-2008, 03:45 AM

I not a big fan of the Reserve. If you like smoky beers, you may love it, but smoke is not my favorite beer quality. The Union Jack is my favorite beer. The only beers Ive been drinking lately are my home brews and Union Jack. My girlfriend calls it my weakness beer. It is so very good.

I thought that I tasted a lot of Amarillo hops in the Union Jack. Maybe it is chinook and cascade though, if thats what the man said. If you are ever in San Luis Obispo, the beer bar Spikes has it on tap, as well as Racer 5 and some other amazing beers. It is definitely worth checking out. I could sit there and drink the Jack till my eyes water.

Side note...If you haven't tried the Firestone 11 anniversary ale yet, I couldn't recommend it any higher. It is $30 for a bomber. Really pricey, but unlike any beer Ive ever had. Read about it on Beer Advocate if you are curious. It is something special and @11% you should sip slowly. It can get on you. Kinda like a substitute to a great bottle of wine. Save it for a special occasion. It is unreal!

brewt00l · 04-29-2008, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonzo brewer

I agree their pale is nothing to write home about.
Their Double Barrel Pale Ale is quite good on tap and is pretty unique. A must try if you haven't already.
I bought a bottle of their Reserve, which I'll try on the next special occasion - probably this weekend when the Lakers knock off the Nuggets.

I have two bottles of the Double Barrel. Sampled one last night w/ dinner and it tastes just like iced tea...not a fan. I'll give the other one a shot in a couple days and provide more in-depth feedback.

Brewsmith · 04-29-2008, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewt00l

I have two bottles of the Double Barrel. Sampled one last night w/ dinner and it tastes just like iced tea...not a fan. I'll give the other one a shot in a couple days and provide more in-depth feedback.

Sounds like an old bottle. I know what flavors you're talking about and they've always come from badly handled beer.

brewt00l · 04-30-2008, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brewsmith

Sounds like an old bottle. I know what flavors you're talking about and they've always come from badly handled beer.

The first bottle tastes like bland iced tea. Dull and not all that interesting.

It was bought last week at the Fresno Bevmo and flown straight out this past weekend with these: http://homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=64259 Can't say how long it sat at the Bevmo. We'll see with the next bottle.

Brewsmith · 04-30-2008, 06:27 AM

I've had bad luck with Bevmo. Stuff fairly local and far. They have a great sellection, but it's questionable about the handling of some of the beers.