The Brewery: Firestone Walker Brewing Co. (Paso Robles, CA)
The Brew: DBA (English Pale Ale)
Availability: Draft and bottles (Year-Round)
ABV: 5.0% | 50 IBUs
Rating: 8.5/10
Location: Ithaca Coffee Company
The Story? After a long month of house issues and traveling, I hit a goal on Wednesday that was cause for some mild, mid-day celebration. I popped down to Ithaca Coffee Company, where I haven't been in far too long. Since I have a bottle of Firestone's Double DBA in wait, their flagship DBA would be a good next post and reasonable ABV for everything else I needed to finish that day.
This brew, Double Barrel Ale in longhand, is tribute to traditional English cask fermented ales, fermented in their Firestone Union oak barrel brewing system.
The Beer? On draft, DBA is completely transparent, amber with a cap of fluffy white head that retains a moderate lace. The nose is bright and full of caramel, biscuit, and soft hops.
As with most Firestone brews, this one goes down so smooth with a slightly silky mouthfeel. All of the flavors are mild, as with most traditional English pales - slight roasted notes, hints of vanilla and oak, soft hop oil and earthy presences.
Overall, a very subdued, beautiful pale - a session sipper, if you will. With every sip, I expected the finish to bitter, but instead, right at the threshold, it slips into a mild sweetness. Well played.
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