Velvet Merlin - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

boisebeerfan

Idaho

3.63/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A decent example of a clean stout ale, but by no means overwhelming.

This stout is slightly thin for an oatmeal stout, but I had it carbonated and not nitrogenated, so likely that changes the mouthfeel.

It is properly colored: a very dark and opaque brown.

There is almost no nose at all, it is very clean. Slight hints of coffee or roasted malt. Likely due to a proportionally small amount of black or chocolate malt used for coloring.

It is almost too smooth for a stout, I am used to them being a little more bitter and aggressive. Even Ninkasi's Otis is an oatmeal stout that brings the 'stout' to help differentiate itself from a 'porter'. This velvet merlin isn't very complex, but is definitely highly drinkable. It is more in the guinness stout style than the northwest stout, but less chalky than guinness.

TL;DR: Highly drinkable and respectable stout entry. I would definitely love to try it on nitro.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 17:35:38 | More by boisebeerfan

spark3148857

New York

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

05-20-2013 21:17:00 | More by spark3148857

touchmeimsac

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

05-20-2013 17:35:10 | More by touchmeimsac

InVinoVeritas

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

05-19-2013 12:12:55 | More by InVinoVeritas

Sokool

Washington

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

05-19-2013 02:57:19 | More by Sokool

Photekut

Azerbaijan

3.25/5  rDev -20%

05-18-2013 22:15:36 | More by Photekut

510a

Washington

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-18-2013 05:25:18 | More by 510a

ElizabethEleanor

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +17%

05-18-2013 03:53:35 | More by ElizabethEleanor

rdooley

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

05-17-2013 22:26:57 | More by rdooley

BarrelAgedBrian

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

05-17-2013 04:05:05 | More by BarrelAgedBrian

dan027

Pennsylvania

2/5  rDev -50.7%

05-17-2013 02:35:24 | More by dan027

verge

California

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%

05-16-2013 21:58:57 | More by verge

MinorThreat

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

05-16-2013 02:40:14 | More by MinorThreat

Zbeetleman

California

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

05-15-2013 02:37:19 | More by Zbeetleman

Absolut

California

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-14-2013 17:52:55 | More by Absolut

prock180

Arizona

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-13-2013 23:39:37 | More by prock180

vitese

California

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

05-13-2013 17:47:50 | More by vitese

EROCK75

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -13.8%

05-13-2013 15:53:16 | More by EROCK75

ControlledBurn

Illinois

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-13-2013 03:55:13 | More by ControlledBurn

IPeteA91

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -13.8%

05-12-2013 22:36:34 | More by IPeteA91

blackie

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

single from Wilbur's, Fort Collins

a: served in a short chalice, all that’s on hand in the hotel, deep stained brown in color, khaki head with average retention

s: the nose opens with grainy graham crackers and earthy roasted malt, woody coffee, subtle hints of smoke, toasted oat breads, mild earthy hops, qutie nuanced for a roast product - simple at first whiff, but there's a lot to dig into here

m: carbonation gentle, light-moderate, with a medium body, easy on the palate with a slight creaminess

t: toasted grains grace the palate with flavors of earth, nuts, coffee, smoke and wood - delicate and balanced, only slight burnt sugars present, hops earthy and impart a mild bitterness to the finish that lingers with a slight smoky roast note

o: very nice oatmeal stout that's incredibly drinkable, well balanced while showcasing the roasted malts and oats without interruption

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 15:46:02 | More by blackie

CesarLopes

Illinois

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-11-2013 03:48:36 | More by CesarLopes

Jessenimmo

California

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-11-2013 02:26:21 | More by Jessenimmo

mikeburd1128

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -13.8%

05-10-2013 22:14:48 | More by mikeburd1128

twenty5

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-10-2013 19:02:17 | More by twenty5