Firestone Walker Expands Its Chicago Options

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Jan 7, 2013 8:00PM

Firestone Walker Brewing has made a big splash in Chicago since the California brewery debuted here in 2011. Fans of Firestone Walker can look forward to even more options at liquor stores and bars across the area.

Jan. 14 will mark the debut of Firestone Walker Double Barrel Ale and Velvet Merlin Oatmeal Stout. The brewery’s Pale 31 California Pale Ale, previously a draft-only selection, will be available in 6-pack bottles. The DBA incorporates 60-gallon American oak barrels into the fermentation process which yields beers of extraordinary character and complexity. This system improves the fullness of the palate, balances hop character and lends a clean briskness to the finish. The influence of the toasted oak also imparts unique hints of smokiness and vanilla, as well as a subtle fruitiness to the flavor profile.

Pale 31, a tribute to California’s status as the 31st state in the Union, is a dry-hopped California Pale Ale that fans of Half Acre may find a nice alternative to Daisy Cutter. Velvet Merlin (formerly known as “Velvet Merkin”) is a decadent mélange of cocoa and espresso aromas. The addition of U.S. grown Fuggles hops contributes the perfect amount of bitterness to this exceptionally balanced beer.

Firestone Walker’s Matt Brynildson will be in town to herald the release of these beers Jan. 15-17. On Jan. 15, Big Star will feature these and other Firestone Walker beers in their first beer dinner of 2013. Binny’s South Loop will host a Firestone Walker tapping 5-8 p.m. Jan. 16 where they’ll tap the classics, the new beers and library beers Double DBA, Anniversary XV and Anniversary XVI. The festivities end Jan. 17 with a tasting at Binny’s Marcey Street. Special beers from the cellar will be available for sale that evening.