Firestone Walker Double Jack IPA

Beer: Firestone Walker Double Jack IPA
Is This A Cool Name: I guess it's okay since they are inferring that it is twice the beer of their already stellar Union Jack IPA. Seriously, if you've never had a Union Jack, go out of your way to try one.
Style: An Imperial IPA, probably the most overdone beer category in the last three (or so) years. Every brewer and their mother does some over-alcohol'd, over-hopped IPA just for the sake of keeping up with the Joneses.
Alkyhol: 9.5%. Yep, that's about right.
Why I Bought This Beer: Much like the Firestone Walker 14th Anniversary Ale, I sought this beer out. I went to the special release event just to try it, since it's likely that I'll never see it again and because I freaking love over-the-top IPAs. Also, Firestone Walker is as consistent a brewery as there is in this great country, so I like to support people that consistently put out phenomenal beers.
Is This Beer Any Good: It really is. It's the first beer I've had in a long time that caused me to take a big whiff and immediately put it down because I was intimidated by the nose. This beer smelled like an orange grove and a pine forest got down. In terms of IPAs or Double IPAs, that is a very good thing. When I finally did come around to taking a sip, I was pleasantly shocked. Based on the nose I expected a boozy, resinous son of a bitch but actually got an extremely floral, citrusy, and malt-balanced Imperial IPA that was infinitely more drinkable than I would have wagered on. In this space I've always slotted Bell's phenomenal Hopslam as the cream of the barley crop, but the Double Jack definitely takes a run at that slot. If Firestone somehow makes the Double Jack available for more than a day, I'd be hard pressed not to call it my favorite double/imperial IPA (That I actually have access to. Pliny the Elder is a force to be reckoned with, but alas, we can't have nice things in Arizona.)
What Does This Beer Taste Like: I already used up my good analogy, but picture yourself running through a dense, alcoholic pine forest with your mouth open. It may hurt, but it's kind of intriguing. Once you are good and winded, you sit down and have a nice refreshing orange slice (a la youth soccer game timeouts), but it doesn't sting your open wounds (from the needles, running with your mouth open). I'd say this beer is kind of like that.
This Beer Would Pair Well With: Maybe an extremely sharp cheese. I don't really like extremely sharp cheese, so I can't say for sure, but I feel like that's a pretty good guess based on what I've read. Also, maybe a first date. I just think that would be funny for some reason. "Hey, we just met, let's drink extremely bitter boozy beer and see what happens!" You definitely get a second date drinking this stuff.
Sudoku Difficulty Rating: **** Not as difficult as it could be, but hard enough. If you find yourself eating offal, then you like this beer. Just my gut instinct. Haha, gut instinct.

Straight From The Source: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/2210/50697

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The latest review:

Beer: Firestone Walker 14th Anniversary Ale

Is This A Cool Name: Um, no. Well, I guess it's impressive that Firestone has been churning out high-quality brew for 14+ years, but I wouldn't say that the name inspires or even evokes. And that is kind of a shame, because I like their branding/naming across the rest of the line.
Style: Technically, a barrel-aged American Strong Ale. Realistically, a style that has yet to be invented. I don't have the experience or vocabulary to invent it, unfortunately.
Consumption Method: 6oz draft pour out of a mini-goblet. The glass was actually one of the cooler drinking vessels that I've used, but I would have preferred something larger...just because the beer was so delicious.
Alkyhol: 12.5% (!) I guess I didn't need more than 6oz.
Why I Bought This Beer: Mostly, it was because I showed up at Papago specifically to drink it, and another Firestone limited release (see next post). Also, it is because - in my eyes - Firestone can do little wrong in the world of beer. Their motto is "Passion for the Pale", and despite the fact that it may sound like they really like gingers, the reality is that they make damn good pale ales. Since I am an apologist for anything with an abnormal amount of hops, they do right by me. So, I try to try anything they put out. Their 14th Anniversary was too good to pass up. Essentially, they blend five different already "special" beers into one amalgamated Super Beer that is truly one of the most unique alcoholic substances ever concocted.
Is This Beer Any Good: Damn skippy it's good! But you almost can't even call it a beer. It's somewhere between a Russian Imperial Stout and a bourbon, so it's far better sipped at room temperature than consumed like a typical beer. I felt like donning a monocole and a smoking jacket and taking this beer into my study...if I had all of those things. Actually, I'd build a study (complete with lots of mahogany and leather-bound books) and buy a smoking jacket, just to drink this beer regularly. The 14th Anniversary just makes you feel high-class.
What Does This Beer Taste Like: This may be hard to explain, but try to follow me: Take a Brach's Root Beer Barrel, suck on it for like 15 seconds and spit it out. Then, grab some Tahitian vanilla bean creme brulee and take a bite or two. Immediately drink a shot of espresso and smoke a Padron. Then, take a sip of Buffalo Trace and a big deep breath and you may have 90% of what this beer is about. It's THAT good.
This Beer Would Pair Well With: An evening with nothing to do and some fantastic company. Oh, and it would pair excellently with additional bottles of 14th Anniversary.
Sudoku Difficulty Rating: ***** The most complex beer I have ever tasted.

Straight From The Source: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/2210/63116