![]() Pete Turrone and Cameron Silzer - Booker Wines Matt Trevisan and Ryan Merryweather - Linne Calodo Jordan Fiorentini and Kyle Gingras - Epoch Estate Wines This team created the winning blend that became “XXVI” Valia From and Emily Miller - Desparada WinesĪlong with Danny “Fullpint” Becker – Editor-in-Chief, Strong Golden Barley Wine Co-Fermented with White Wine Grape Juice Wheat Wine - Aged in Bourbon Barrels (2%) Helldorado - Aged in Bourbon Barrels (4%) Heavy Things - Aged in Brandy Barrels (6%)īarley Wine Made in Collaboration with The Bruery Velvet Merkin - Aged in Bourbon Barrels (32%) Finally, Helldorado and Wheat Wine added a splash of freshness to the beer.” “Heavy Things contributed a subtle dimension of brandy barrel character. “It was nice to have our classic Bravo brown ale back in the mix as a complement to our Parabola and Velvet Merkin stouts,” Brynildson said. Next, the winemakers and brewers blind tasted all of the candidate blends, then voted as a group to crown the winner that would become XXVI. “We offered up a perfect spectrum of beers to choose from: a light and a heavy stout, an imperial brown ale, a golden ale and two styles of barley wines,” Brynildson said. As always, the winemakers broke into teams to create their own candidate blends from a variety of barrel-aged components. This year’s blending session marked the 17th occasion of this annual summer rite. “That’s why we bring in the winemakers-they are practicing experts in the art of blending.” “It’s a tall order to blend all of these distinct beers into a harmonious whole,” Brynildson said. XXVI is rolling out now in limited quantities to all Firestone Walker markets, and is available at each brewery location and online at for a limited time.įirestone Walker’s collaboration with local winemakers dates back to 2006, when Brynildson was tasked with creating the inaugural Anniversary Ale to mark the brewery’s 10th anniversary year. It has this perfect balancing point with a lot of spirits barrel character, and there’s an underlying freshness that elevates the mouthfeel.” “It’s driven by two barrel-aged stouts, but it’s much more than that. “This latest Anniversary Ale is just super delicious and refined,” Brynildson said. The result this year is XXVI-a masterwork of flavor and complexity, blended from six distinct ales aged in bourbon and brandy barrels, marking the brewery’s 26th anniversary. “We’re fortunate to call them our neighbors and friends, and they never disappoint when it comes to our annual blending session.” “We’re talking about a ‘who’s who’ of Paso Robles winemakers,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. Robles, CA: Firestone Walker today unveiled “XXVI”-the latest edition of its storied Anniversary Ale, blended once again with the help of local winemakers.
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