Firestone Walker Wookus – Latest in the Leo v. Ursus Chronology

Wookus, the latest in the Leo v. Ursus Chronology. (image courtesy of Firestone Walker Brewing)

One year ago Firestone Walker Brewing decided to discontinue Wookie Jack, one of its beers that had a strong cult like following. But now the brewer has decided to bring back a newly updated version of Wookie Jack with the launch of Wookus, the latest beer in its Leo v. Ursus Chronology series.

Released on a quarterly basis, the Leo v. Ursus Chronology is series of beers composed of limited released beers. Wookus is the fourth release in this evolving series of beers and is based on the original Wookey Jack but with a new twist that sits at 8.2% ABV. This black rye IPA is described as offering a next-generation attitude with amplified hop aromatics and a touch of rebellious dankness.

Wookus will be released at all Firestone Walker locations in Paso Robles, Buellton and Venice on Saturday, December 16th. It will then begin rolling out to all Firestone Walker markets starting next week in both draft and 16-ounce cans. It will be available through March 2018.

Here are additional details on Wookus from the brewery’s press release…

“The Leo v. Ursus Chronology not only allows us to explore new brewing directions, but also to temporarily revisit and reimagine old favorites,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “We were pumped to take another crack at Wookey Jack and bring it back with a few new twists.” 

Brynildson noted that the original Wookey Jack used “the gnarliest hops we could get our hands on at the time,” including Amarillo and Citra. With Wookus, Mosaic has been added to the double dry-hopping mix. “Mosaic is fun by itself, but once you blend it in with the other hops, it has this way of intensifying all of their characteristics.”

Also, as with the original Wookey Jack, Wookus is brewed with five percent rye malt. The result is an imperial black IPA that is wickedly hoppy, righteously spicy and fearsome in flavor.

“Wookus is a chip off the old block, but it also has a punchy quality that is all its own,” Brynildson said.