Abacus

Firestone Walker makes world class limited beers (not regular, those are pretty sub par, minus Union Jack).  The anniversary series of carefully blended brews and their new Proprietor's Series are just fantastic.  I highly recommend either of them to any of the beer lovers out there.

Tonight, I enjoyed a bottle of Abacus** (truth be told, I am still enjoying the bottle).  This shit is BANANAS, B-A-N-A-N-A-S.  This delight in a bottle spent eleven months in barrels and it shows in the best way possible.  It tastes and smells like toffee, vanilla, tobacco, and the slightest and most wonderful alcohol burn is mixed into the mix.  I definitely recommend letting it warm for a while, as that's when all these flavors really come out.

You like big, awesome beers?  Drink this.  Drink it now.  If you see it on a shelf, buy it (pic).  I know it is pricey, but then remind yourself how awesome it is going to be.  I will warn that this is not a beer for beginners, but you're not a beginner, right?  Better yet - you are not ready for this, but you like me and know how much I love, so send a bottle or three to me.  So delicious.

Having said that, it is bottles of beer like this that make me miss my old beer cronies.  Beer was the excuse we'd all use to get together, but the good times are what we really looked forward to.  This is the type of bottle I would buy to share and save for the right tasting, but is now something I look forward to having on my own on a Thursday night.  Good thing I have you to talk to internet; otherwise, I might lose my mind...

**Abacus Stats: Barrel Aged Barley Wine, 13% ABV, 45 IBUs, Limited (who knows when/if it'll be released again), 100% Bourbon and Wine Barrel Aged (per the box)

Next up: IPA - not sure what, but I just need it (not Ninkasi - that shit tastes like cat pee, with my apologies to cat pee)