The Beer Guy Review #17 – Firestone Walker Solace

The Beer Guy
September 30, 2012

The Beer Guy

Occupation: Beer Taster & Reviewer
Web: http://thebeerguy.lifeofdad.com
Twitter: @TheBeerGuyLOD
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Name of beer: Solace

Brewing Company: Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Brewing Location: Paso Robles, CA

Type of Beer: American Pale Wheat Ale – ABV: 4.8% / IBU: 15

Beer Description: From website:

Firestone Walker presents Solace, an ode to warmer weather in the northern hemisphere. A hint of citrus fruit and clove aroma are followed by tangy dry malt flavor and a silky finish making it an approachable and refreshing session beer. We bring you this beer unfettered, a craftily unfiltered ale full of flavor and perfectly constructed to compliment those lazy warm days ahead. Ideal for washing down fish tacos or other south o’ the border-inspired dishes.

REMEMBER: Watch for bottled on dates located on the necks or bottom left corner of the label for each of our beers.  Our beer is not pasteurized, so it is best when stored at 44F or below, out of light and within 120 days of the bottled on date…this ensures freshness and ultimately a great Firestone Walker beer!

The Beer Guy Review:

 Ok, I know I’ve told myself this before…Trader Joe’s is not the place to purchase beer.  Wine?  Maybe.  Organic food with mold on it?  Yes.  Chocolate-covered-peanut-butter-filled pretzels?  Definitely.  But beer?  I don’t think so.  So there I was again, in a bind, needing to get a “healthy” beer for “The Last Call Show“, the podcast I co-host on Tuesdays with Tomm Bauer (aka “The Brew Daddy“).  This past week, we had Jonathan Finkel.  Mr. Finkel recently authored his second book, The Dadvantage: The Fitness Plan for New Fathers.  So Tomm and I agreed to both get “healthy” beers, to go with the theme of course.

Well, there I was in the beer aisle when right in front of me reads the store description of the beer.  It said “oranges and cloves.”  ”Well, oranges are healthy…I think cloves are too,” I thought to myself.  So I bit the bullet and purchased the 6-pack of Firestone Walker’s Solace.  Mind you, this was sitting in the well-lit Trader Joe’s, at room temperature.  At least it was being purchased 90 days (not 120) since being bottled.  Way to go, Trader Joe’s…you batted .333 with this beer (see REMEMBER section up above in the beer description).  And speaking of batting averages, check out this week’s “The Last Call Show,” where Tomm and I both discuss baseball, the postseason up ahead and our favorite baseball movies.

Ok, back to the beer.  At 4.8% ABV, this is a nice wheat (think Hefeweizen) to have…outside on your porch…as the spring or summer season gets into full gear…not fall!  But much like many of Trader Joe’s other produce, this was found out of season too.  No worries.  It poured a nice golden haze that fizzed away with a very slight head remaining.  One thing Trader Joe’s did get correctly was the taste: orange & cloves.  It’s refreshing.

As far as The Beer Guy rating goes, I give the Firestone Walker Solace a:

 This is a good beer.  I took comfort in the sorrow, misfortune or trouble Trader Joe’s caused this beer by letting it sit in the light, at temperatures not suitable for beers such as this.  I’ve gotten the question before, “What kind of fruit should you put in (insert nameless ‘macrobrew’ beer name)?”  I always respond that good beer shouldn’t require fruit.  Instead, try something like the Firestone Walker Solace.  Hopefully, you’ll find comfort in the beer too.

So, what do you think?  Have you had this beer?  Do you like it?  Do you not like it?  Send me a note at The Beer Guy’s mailbag, TheBeerGuy@lifeofdad.com.  You can follow me on Twitter (@TheBeerGuyLOD), Facebook and LinkedIn as well.  Take care, happy (and safe) drinking, and enjoy your weekend.  And don’t forget to check out my podcast, “The Last Call Show,” on Tuesday (10 PM EST / 7 PM PST).

About The Beer Guy – A dad, husband, friend and drinker of beer. I review & blog about it all on LifeOfDad.com, the social network for Dads.  The Beer Guy enjoys IPA’s and Pilsner’s, but will really try any kind of beer.  You may disagree on some of his opinions.  Let The Beer Guy know.  Reviews are published on Thursdays.  Blogging is done on Tuesdays.  Read more here to learn about The Beer Guy, who he is and his beer rating methodology.

The Beer Guy, and Life of Dad, promote responsible drinking.  Never drink and drive.

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