(Paso Robles, CA) – Lots of interesting Firestone Walker Brewing stuff to report…

First things first, check out the New Brew Thursday video above with Brewmaster, Matt Brynildson.

In addition to focusing on the recently-released Firestone Walker XV, Brynildson also touched on a few upcoming releases.

The first is 100% Bourbon Barrel Aged Velvet Merlin which Brynildson said is, “coming very soon.” The beer will be released only on draft.

Next, here is the Proprietors Reserve Series schedule for the first half of 2012 (descriptions courtesy of the brewery website):

Barleywine (formerly known as Abacus) – February 2012

Big boozy bourbon and American oak aromas combined with soft chocolate malty undertones. Complex malt flavors framed in oak, with hints of dark chocolate, vanilla, tobacco, coconut and just a touch of dark cherry. This is definitely a sipping beer, best served in a brandy snifter. This ale pairs well with dark chocolate and sturdy cheeses.

Wookey Jack – March 2012

No description yet but this will be an Unfiltered Black Rye IPA weighing in at 8.3% ABV. They may throw some of this beer into bourbon barrels as well.

Firestone Walker Parabola – April 2012

Parabola has been a major component of past anniversary blends and is one of our most aggressive offerings. This beer features bold bourbon and tobacco aromas and a rich dark chocolate, charred oak flavor. Parabola is best enjoyed in moderation and is a perfect beer to pair with those chocolate dessert favs.

Firestone Walker Double DBA – July 2012

DDBA is our flagship beer brewed at double strength. It is amazingly similar in many respects to our barrel fermented DBA and possesses everything we love about that beer times two. English caramel malts lend rich toffee character that pairs well with assertive medium toast American oak barrels.

Exact markets and packages are all listed up on the brewery website.

During the video, the guys are standing in a room containing 40-50 wine barrels for sour beer. You can see a bunch of barrels in the background from Firestone Walker’s SLOambic Series. The name appears to be a riff off of the term that Sonoma County breweries, including Russian River, are using to describe their Lambic-like beers, “Sonambic.” Firestone Walker previously released a bug-infested version of Big Opal and is giving Solace, a summer wheat beer, a similar treatment. The barrels all say “Solace and Brett,” Solace being the brewery’s summer wheat beer. At least one of the barrels also contains ollaliberries, native to Oregon.

Finally, Brynildson is planning to hold a brewery event in the next year that he’s calling The Brewery Invitational. Nick Floyd of Three Floyds and Mikkel of Mikkeller are the first two breweries to accept Brynildson’s invitation.

Pic below courtesy of Firestonebeer.com.