Firestone Walker Sucaba: A Barley Wine Like No Other

BenE with David Walker of Firestone Walker

We were very lucky to have Ben E interview David Walker, and luck also graced us with what was probably the first bottle of Firestone Walker’s limited edition Barley Wine Sucaba in North Texas. We had every intention of getting the review posted for you guys ages ago, but life has been very chaotic for all of us. We were also lucky that a small window opened up where all the founders could meet up despite growing families, work changes, health tribulations, and all other manner of events. This would be the first time we have all been in the same place in the past several several months. It was most welcomed (and needed), and as such, deserved a suitably esteemed beer for the occasion. So the Sucaba was to be opened, and after a very apropos meal prepared on the grill with a nice bonfire, amongst perfect temperatures we moved to open our beer.

When McLaren were developing the F1 (unquestionably the greatest sports car ever created) it was noted that the greatest impression the vehicle has on the driver during that primary encounter, is when the driver first enters the vehicle, not just the experience that is had while driving it. Firestone Walker, similarly, delivers a hell of a first impression with the packaging; illustrating to the consumer that perhaps the intent is in line with McLaren’s in the 90‘s…to simply create the best product with no compromises. A nice cardboard box, with tasteful art, houses and secures the bottle. The bottle itself graces a perfect seal, as well as what fellow Beer Drinkers Society founder James G noted as “the perfect beer drinker’s label.” No clever gimmicks. This is a classically and humbly presented, but by no means timid, beer.
Opening the bottle reaffirms the extensive thought that I believe Firestone Walker put into this beer. Noting the seal, I pull out my knife to start the tedious process of removal, and make a mental note of the convenient ribbon placed to cut the seal with an easy pull. Now, it may seem as though matters such as this are trivial and

The Sucaba

irrelevant, but often it is the combination of smaller things like this that elevate experiences to a different level. And frankly, I don’t care how good the beer is, I really would prefer not to have to whittle a glass bottle to enjoy it; and am very pleased to see that this brewery thought their product through to even the most finite of details.
The nose is sweet and wholly pleasant. In fact, the flavors melded so well together that it was very hard to pick any out. Really, if I were to describe without reach what I smelled, I would have to simply say “Sucaba”. Much like you might smell a pasta without being able to pick out cheeses, spices or other additives. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Now, if I were to reach, I would describe an abundance of stone fruits and dessert tonalities. I pick up plums, currants, cherries, toffee, caramel, brown sugar, chocolate, bourbon and vanilla. Odd for a Barley Wine, when you consider that I detected no outright hop presence…at any point. It’s incredible really.
The taste follows for me exactly what the smell led up to. All the notes come up from the smell, with vanilla and toffee taking a slightly larger share of the limelight, but still delivering a cohesive experience. I’m not sure where this beer is hiding the 42 IBU’s, but it’s hardly there. This, coupled with a mouthfeel like thinned syrup, gives to the well-rounded ability to pair with a wide variety of dishes. It could most certainly be used as a dessert beer, but it paired nicely with our grilled red meats as well. This beer is essentially the missing link between a sweet, malt forward beer and a liqueur, and will readily be able to fill the shoes of both.

I will say, I aimed to come down hard on this beer. The status of Firestone Walker I believe necessitates the challenge. I will say that I cannot find anything to critique. This beer was incredibly delicious. Worth the $20 price tag? Beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Welcome to Texas Firestone Walker, it’s good to finally have you here!

- Ben W.