Parabola 2025: A Legend Returns

Every year, our barrel-aging program produces something truly special, and this year is no different.

We’re proud to announce the return of Parabola, our legendary bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout, now available for 2025. If you know, you know, because Parabola has been a fan favorite since it first hit the scene in 2010, and every release is a testament to the patience, precision, and passion that go into crafting a world-class barrel-aged stout.

For the 2025 edition, Parabola spent a full 12 months maturing in an exquisite selection of bourbon barrels from two renowned distilleries: 12-year Elijah Craig and 11-year Henry McKenna. The result? A rich and complex imperial stout that delivers intense flavors of black cherry, dark chocolate, vanilla, and roasted coffee, all wrapped in a velvety smooth finish. The bourbon influence brings a deep oak character, subtle caramel sweetness, and just the right amount of warmth to make each sip an experience worth savoring.

At Firestone Walker, our barrel program is more than just aging beer. It’s about exploring the future of brewing while honoring tradition. Parabola is the embodiment of this philosophy. With roots in the old-world art of imperial stouts and a modern touch through meticulous barrel selection, this beer represents the perfect balance of heritage and innovation. Every year, we refine our process, searching for the perfect combination of barrels, aging time, and blending techniques to create something remarkable.

This is, “The beer that ignited our world-class barrel aging program,” our Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “Our 2025 Parabola release bridges the space between OG American Imperial Stouts and serious contemporary barrel-aged bangers. Boozy charred oak barrel expression folded into intense dark chocolate fudge-cake, with a bourbon-soaked black cherry espresso finish. Year after year, we have leaned heavily into Elijah Craig Bourbon barrels in our Vintage Reserve program. This year we blended together 12-year Elijah Craig barrels with 11-year Henry McKenna barrels to age Parabola, melding top-shelf Kentucky decadence with balanced California stout perfection.”

Good things don’t last forever, and Parabola is no exception. This limited-release beer is now available at our taprooms and select accounts. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the legend of Parabola, now is the time to secure your bottle before it’s gone.

Want to take a deeper dive? For more details on this year’s release, check out more from Parabola 2025 here. 

Raise a glass to another year of Parabola, an imperial stout that proves some things only get better with time.