Review: Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest 2024 and Cali Squeeze Beers
Ready for oompah season? California’s Firestone Walker is back with its “Oaktoberfest” annual seasonal — now 18 years old — plus four editions of a new beer called Cali Squeeze. Cali Squeeze is a new line of easy-drinking “tropical wheat ales,” each made with real fruit in the recipe. While these are designed more for summer than fall, it’s over 100 degrees across California as I type this right now in early October, so maybe it’s still a good time to pick up a case. Four of the five Cali Squeeze beers are available in a variety pack, which is what we’re checking out below.
Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest Oak Aged Lager (2024) – This classic beer style has been a seasonal staple at Firestone Walker since 2006, and it showcases how the brewery, famous for its oak-aged, bruisingly high abv beers, can also do something more sessionable. The 5.2% abv offering is made with all German ingredients and is slightly different every year; for 2024 it is finished with Hallertau Mittelfrüh hops, a classic German variety. Oak aging is done with a very light hand, using barrels sourced from Herman Story Wines in Paso Robles. The result is perfectly on point for pairing with a pretzel or a wurst platter, gently fruity with a balanced measure of bittering hops. Malty notes, every so slightly tinged with maple and baking spice, wrap around fruitier elements of baked apples before finishing with a lingering flavor of toasted wheat bread. Not nearly as hearty as you’re imagining, and in the best possible way. 5.2% abv. A- / $13 per six-pack
Firestone Walker Cali Squeeze Passion Fruit – The passion fruit is right in your face with this beer, providing a lively floral quality that counters some of the inherent breadiness of the underlying wheat ale. There’s a punchy lemon character that gives the beer a second round of bright, citrusy life — though the passion fruit note is so strong I expect it may be a bit overwhelming for some drinkers who prefer more bitter fare. I, however, am a bit of a passion fruit junkie, and found this a perfect way to transport myself virtually to a sandy Hawaiian beach. 5% abv. A- / $10 per six-pack
Firestone Walker Cali Squeeze Tangerine Daze – Much sweeter than I expected, but maybe that’s just the “daze” talking. Here the citrus is outdone by strong notes of vanilla and cream soda, giving the whole affair a heavy Creamsicle quality. The sweetness is especially strong on the finish, where it makes a difficult partner with the malty, wheaty base beneath. 5% abv. C- / $10 per six-pack
Firestone Walker Cali Squeeze Peach Pomegranate – The most precocious of the lineup, you can forget about the pomegranate here, as the situation is peaches from start to finish. A little less sweet than expected — and nothing compared to Tangerine Daze — it takes a bit of time to wrap your mind around the experience. Somewhere between canned and candied peaches is where it ends up — but unlike the above beer there’s no real hint of the underlying brew. For better or for worse. 5% abv. B / $10 per six-pack
Firestone Walker Cali Squeeze Blood Orange – Far less fruity than I expected, this beer tastes the most like a classic wheat ale, only punctuated with bittersweet citrus. The combination is less effective than it ought to be, with a grassy, slightly weedy quality to the conclusion. The antithesis of the sugar-laced Tangerine Daze; the two ought to have split the difference. 5% abv. C / $10 per six-pack
Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest Oak Aged Lager (2024)
$13
