Velvet Merlin - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

nhindian

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle poured into a Surly Darkness glass. Bottle provided by jodan I believe, thanks Jordan!

A - Pours a chocolate brown with tints of black in the widest part of the glass. It settles into a soft, matte black color. The head is a pillowy, light tan color, about a finger tall with fairly low retention. Lacing is sticky at first, but quickly falls back to the comfort of the liquid. There's some carbonation on the edges of the glass as well.

S - The nose on this is almost all malt. The oat is a big part of the aroma, leading the way but still going strong by the end as well. The chocolate is rich and bittersweet, like dark cacao. There's some espresso here as well, but it mainly serves to add some roast to it rather than any noticeable coffee smells. Hanging beneath everything is a subtle bourbon quality, which adds some vibrant fruits and a slight alcohol feeling.

T - The taste brings a concise version of the nose to the palate. Immediately I'm getting a lot of oatmeal here, giving the beginning a creamy jumping-off point for the rest of the flavors to follow. Again, the chocolate is the main component after the oats, giving off flavors of baker's chocolate and some bitter notes. The flavor is slightly more roasty than the nose, with a lasting impression lingering long after drinking. Thankfully, the bourbon quality in the nose returns as well, playing cheerfully in the background of the beer but still imparting it's tastiness. The finish even brings a slightly cola-like flavor.

M - Mouthfeel is moderately light-bodied with high carbonation. This beer is really smooth, but perhaps the carbonation is a tinge too high as it sort of clashes with the smoothness. I found myself instinctively swirling this between tastes in order to cut that a little. Lasting impression are oats, roastiness, and dark fruits from the bourbon.

D/O - Drinkability is high. Oatmeal stouts are one of my favorite styles if done correctly, but if not they can come off as uninspired. Firestone Walker produces a fine representation here, and the quasi-bourbon notes in here only do that much for this offering. This is a beer that I nearly finished before completing this review, as I just wanted to keep drinking it. If this ever comes to Pittsburgh, it will be a staple in my fridge.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2011 17:21:50 | More by nhindian

firecrack0r

California

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

05-22-2013 23:07:33 | More by firecrack0r

lighthabit

Oregon

3.7/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

never really cared for this one before, always had a hint of dull, dry, bitter, but tonight i opened one that's been sitting in the fridge for a while, and the hint above is not there, it's picked up a hint of chocolate/licorice, and it's creamy, much nicer feel than before. tonight was straight from the bottle, but in the past, poured in a glass. color is typical dark. one i'll revist . . .

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 06:29:17 | More by lighthabit

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