Velvet Merlin - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

mcintire78

Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

a: Pours deep brown to black. A very small amount of head that quickly dissipates and mild to moderate carbonation. Served out of a bottle and into a nonic pint glass.

s: A sweet, malty smell. Slightly of raisins.

t: Strong oatmeal taste up front, and ends up dry.

m: Little carbonation. A bit thin and dry on the end.

d: The low abv means you could drink more than one if you were so inclined. Not sure I'd be having more than one or two...

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 21:43:21 | More by mcintire78

domtronzero

California

3.53/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Clear dark brown with ruby highlights at the edges. Big, average lasting mocha head. Little lacing.

S - Light dark sweet malts, little roast. Caramel. Light earthy hops.

F/M - Rich velvety smooth dark malts. Bready, toffee, caramel, little roast. Earthy/spicy hops with medium high bitterness. Clean, dry finish. Medium body with moderate carbonation.

D - Good. Clean, dry, full flavored and quite easy drinking.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2010 05:19:27 | More by domtronzero

kflorence

California

3.53/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Purchased at BevMo! a week before Christmas; $7 for a sick pack (what a steal).

A: Pours an opaque, black with a nice frothy layer of tan foam. Not much lacing around the glass as you drink. When held up to a light, carbonation looks good. Looks inviting, if perhaps a little bit light as far as body goes.

S: As advertised, the roasted coffee comes through prominently. Also prominent are roasted malts, chocolate and some cloying caramel. The aroma suggests this beer will be very malty with some underlying sweetness and perhaps some astringency.

T: Wow, this one is truly roasted, almost overpoweringly so. Roasted malts and roasted coffee dominate the flavor; hops are rather subdued, almost indistinguishable. Not much of the cloying sweetness that was detected in the aroma was present, but it is there right after the initial roasts hit the tongue, and right before the lingering barbecue flavor. A tad bit astringent, which I guess is to be expected from a highly prominent coffee presence. Oatmeal is strangely absent as well.

M: For an oatmeal stout, I would consider this medium bodied. I was hoping it would be a bit more on the creamy side, maybe even with some chewiness. Carbonation levels are perfect and it does have body, just expected it to be a bit thicker.

D: Overall this is a pleasant beer and I have absolutely no complaints for the price tag. This is a solid stout that's simplicity and body make it very easy to drink. That said, I think this brew was a little overly roasted for me which made it seem a bit imbalanced. It also had almost no detectable oatmeal flavors, was a bit astringent due to the coffee and was not as creamy as I expected. There are much better oatmeal stouts out there, but this one definitely was on the above average side. I wouldn't hesitate to drink it again, but I probably wouldn't seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2010 05:20:23 | More by kflorence

Gfunk720

Connecticut

3.53/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle, out of my Maudite Tulip. Thanks to David for this one.

A- The blackest of black, but a little thin on the edges. A healthy tannish head forms, and retains for a bit. The beer laces quite nicely.

S- Rich and creamy, dark roasted malt and oatmeal. Chocolate, coffee, and vanilla notes as well.

T- It's a decent oatmeal stout, nothing too crazy. Primarily roasted malts. Subtle notes of coffee and chocolate.

M- A little lighter than I like from a beer of this style.

D- It's drinkable, but not terribly memorable.

D-

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2011 23:42:05 | More by Gfunk720

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

3.53/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a Brooklyn Tulip. Very dark pour (almost black) with a nice tight 2-finger light brown head and good retention. Nose is subdued and has mostly roasty notes and some chocolate.

Lots of roasted malt in the flavor. It's medium-bodied and pretty dry. It's somewhat reminiscent of Samuel Smith's OS, but without the nice, creamy sweetness. Overall, it's not bad, but it's a bit dry for my palate and therefore is far from the best OS I've had. I expect more creaminess in this style.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2012 23:50:51 | More by deadonhisfeet

craytonic

District of Columbia

3.5/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Black and opaque, perhaps with a hint of mahogany brown. Small off-white head.

Smell: Roasted malts dominates, with some bitter/burnt/acridic coffee notes

Taste: Bitter roast at the forefront, followed by some oak, tofee and bitter chocolate

Mouthfeel: Seems a bit thin and light

Drinkability: Split three or four ways and didn't regret it; I guess it has the elements of a bigger beer so I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't; the qualities it showed do not translate well to a lighter style

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2010 18:21:15 | More by craytonic

jcartamdg

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Dark black with very little head in my ccb snifter. Very little head but lacing clings to the glass. Ara of coffee and sweet malts. Taste is smooth light with a coffee aftertaste. Mouth feel is surprisingly light and smooth, easy to drink and delicious

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2011 03:20:26 | More by jcartamdg

TheFlern

Idaho

3.5/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Very dark brown, not black. Off white head. Dissipates to a thing head covering the surface. Minimal lacing.

Smell: Light burnt notes. Small amounts of roastiness. Light oat aroma. hearty

Taste: follows the nose, not as thick tasting as it smelling.

Mouthfeel: pretty average. good carbonation. slightly bitter from the malt.

Overall: this isn't bad but it isn't anything worth seeking out. If you haven't tried it and you want to give it a shot I wouldn't dissuade you but I wouldn't persuade you to try this beer over another oatmeal stout of the same quality and price. Meh.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2011 23:08:49 | More by TheFlern

Nerudamann

Arizona

3.5/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass.

Look – dark brown with a light tan colored foam.

Smell – typical sweet, but dark roasted type of smell that you would get from any oatmeal stout.

Taste – more bitter than I would have expected from this type of brew, but the usual caramelized type of taste you would normally expect from a stout does come out, but more toward the middle. The bitterness looms in the beginning and end. The aftertaste feels a bit smoky.

Mouthfeel – not extremely so, but definitely more on the creamy side.

Overall – fairly interesting brew to think about while tasting, and a decent taste in and of itself.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2011 18:21:46 | More by Nerudamann

Ynot2

California

3.48/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 12 oz bottle into pint glass. A nice dark brown to black with a tan one finger head. The head faded to a thick lace.

Roasted malts, chocolate and coffee aromas come out pretty heavy almost immediately.

The initial taste was coffee and a bitter chocolate. A slight bitter aftertaste lingers in the mouth.

Mouth is really light for a stout, would have preferred a little more.

Drinkability was decent, not great, not bad. I would have another one.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2010 04:41:58 | More by Ynot2

Gmann

New York

3.48/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A. Pours near pitch black color with a short but dense head. Some lacing on the glass.

S. the aroma has light chocolate notes quite nutty. Light overall roast.

T. The taste is of a chalky chocolate. Good roasted nut flavor. A bit of an herbal bark flavor going on. Smooth from the oat but an odd flavor going on.

The feel is quite dry and chalky. Too chalky. The roast is light and flavorful. Meh.

O. A bit disappointed in this way too dry. Decent flavor. Both this and the bourbon barrel aged version didn't really do it for me. Too chalky.

Serving type: cask

04-20-2012 23:33:06 | More by Gmann

jmdrpi

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle, no date.

Appears opaque black, with small off-white head that hangs around. Aroma is quite toasty and acidic. In the taste, slight sweetness gives way to dry bitter finish. Heavy roasted coffeish flavors. Medium body, mild to moderate carbonation, about right. Could be thicker.

Overall- decent, not sure why such a high average score.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 20:00:31 | More by jmdrpi

DaveHS

California

3.45/5  rDev -15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A-Pours cola brown with 1/4 inch of fizzy tan head. No lacing. Looks like there's no shortage of carbonation. Lots of tiny bubbles climbing the edges of the glass.

S-Oats, bittersweet chocolate, Hershey's chocolate syrup, a touch of roasted malts.

T/M-Mouthfeel is thin, with some dry hop bitterness on the back end.Carbonation is a bit higher than I'd like. This is significantly roastier than the nose indicated.Flavors of bitter dark chocolate and dry hop bitterness make up the majority of the flavor profile. Falls apart mid-palate, where the thinness of the body fails to sustain interest.

O-Did they change this from last year? I remembered it being a lot more bold and rich. This is alright, but I have a sneaking suspicion something is different with the current batch.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2011 01:53:04 | More by DaveHS

mactrail

California

3.43/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pronounced cereal, grainy flavor. Big dose of charred malt with that touch of sourness. Hops are pretty much in the background. Decent head on the black-brown pour. Very light body with appropriate carbonation for a refreshing mouthfeel. Fairly dry but there is a touch of caramel. Spicy in the back of the throat. Just a slight nose of roast grain.

Pleasant drinkable average stout. Not quite the "velvet" one might hope for.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 01:59:53 | More by mactrail

Beaver13

Colorado

3.38/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle. Pours dark brown with a big creamy light tan head that retains well and laces the glass a little.

The aroma is roasted malt, oatmeal and some coffee.

The flavor is a little on the mild side - some sweet chocolate and caramel malts with some earthy coffee notes. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and fairly watery.

Overall, a decent oatmeal stout, but a little on the mild and sweet side. I slightly preferred the Slow Elk by Big Sky which is very similar.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2012 02:47:34 | More by Beaver13

denver10

Colorado

3.34/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

A: Dark with a light brown head that settles on the edge of the glass

S: Rich, full of oatiness and some roasted espresso and chocolate, and some roastiness.

Taste: matches the smell pretty well. Get the oatiness up front which is then followed with the espresso and closes out with some chocolate and hops. And don't forget the roasted malts.

Mouthfeel: definitely creamy and some good body to it.

Overall: A decent oatmeal stout but not the best I have had. Definitely worth a try, and it is an enjoyable beer, but as a go to Oatmeal Stout there are better options out there for me.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2011 00:07:41 | More by denver10

ThirstyBird

Germany

3.33/5  rDev -18%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

I had this on-tap at Beachwood BBQ - from notes.
Appears opaque black. Cappuccino colored head that lasts.
Smells of Espresso and toasted malt.
Taste is of toasted/ burnt malt, licorice. A little chalky.
The mouthfeel on this beer is wonderful. So smooth, mildly carbonated. Medium body.
Nice sipper - one is enough - the bitter burnt flavor is intense.

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2009 22:32:03 | More by ThirstyBird

bohemiandonut

California

3.33/5  rDev -18%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Pours a little thin but dark, with tan bubbly head.
Smells more like a porter to me than a stout. Lots of sweet roasty coffee, vanilla, and some dark fruit.
Tastes like this as well. Pretty good at first with a great mouthfeel and tasty balanced malts. Medium-low carbonation.
Finish is a little weak with a bitter tannic dryness taking over. Glad to be able to pick up a six-pack of this, but it's not my favorite style and doesn't really improve on Mr. Smith's variety. Not bad though.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2010 03:01:28 | More by bohemiandonut

blakelive784

Colorado

3.33/5  rDev -18%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 fl oz bottle served in a snifter, reviewed live:

A - Pours the darkest shade of brown, with a disappointingly thin, tan, one finger head. Retention is fair.

S - Light roasted barley, faint cream and light coffee. Mild strength and generally appealing.

T - Medium roasted barley foundation opens to a sweet, creamy body. It's really simple; I actually don't get too many more notes off it. It's balanced extremely well, though, and plays well off of its simplicity.

M - Medium bodied, a bit coarse and a bit off an odd dry finish. I don't mind it but could be more smooth.

D - Not a bad beer overall, but doesn't have a whole lot going for it.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2012 01:04:10 | More by blakelive784

SirRuss

California

3.3/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Archetypal charcoal body, but retention is fleeting at best, and the lacing unimpressive. Having just glanced at the label - which sports a silky smooth, three fingered head - Firestone should probably thank their litigation stars that they have not yet been sued for false advertising

S - The pour alone wafts a dark chocolate breeze with enough presence to evoke surprise and intrigue. Unfortunately the chocolate notes within the glass are somehow less intense, and are accompanied by prominent notes of diner coffee pot. On the plus side, a dirty earthiness envelops the malt tones to lend an interesting foundation.

T - Very disappointing. It's almost as if the beer has been rapidly degrading from the moment the cap was cracked. All the expression from the nose is present on the palate, but its form is now diluted and scatty. The coffee aspect fairs best, although a watery genealogy confirms its Denny's lineage. The decadent chocolate promised by the pour is a wash out, and the deep earthiness is all but lost. In its favor, a twist of toastiness is imparted, and the roasted malt bitterness prevails in conjunction with the modest hopping. Unfortunately the redeeming features are far from capable of filling the emptiness of the profile, and a lot is left to be desired.

M - It's clear that the composition of this beer is capable of the velvety smoothness professed by the label. However, commercial soda style carbonation detracts from the texture this brew could otherwise boast, and the final effect is a prickly affair.

D - This is in no way offensive, or excessive in any attribute other than its determination to nullify itself into a disappointingly lackluster experience.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2011 07:14:48 | More by SirRuss

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours jet black with a light brown head. In the aroma, a light roast and a small sweetness. In the taste, sweet cocoa and a light roast. A smooth and medium to lighter bodied mouthfeel, with a small dry cocoa in the aftertaste. A bit thin across the board, nothing really exciting, nice but boring.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2011 21:24:00 | More by OWSLEY069

srandycarter

California

3.3/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Very dark, I would say black. Light tan head, tight bead, leaves to ring fast. TONS of lace.

S - Harsh roast up front, light hop underneath. Not much else.

T - Watered coffee. Sorry, can't give it much more.

M - Medium body, coffee, light cocoa, light malt. Light hops.. LIGHT.

D -GOOD to try.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2012 03:56:30 | More by srandycarter

ikantspel

California

3.28/5  rDev -19.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

12oz served into a sam adams glass

Pours a dark coffee color with a small head. Small ammount of lacing

Heavy roasted malts, coffee beans, dark chocolate

Espresso flavor, black coffee, and roastiness

If anything i wish you could taste more alcohol. A bit too sweet.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2011 05:35:11 | More by ikantspel

doughanson78

Washington

3.23/5  rDev -20.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

First Firestone Walker beer. 12oz. bottle poured into a snifter.

A: Very dark, but not totally black. Light comes through around edges and bottom of glass. Kind of a dark redish tint where light comes through. Fluffy one finger head. Slightly off white with only small tight bubbles. Head dies down to thin layer but doesn't disappear. Fairly good lacing.

S: Not a big aroma at all. Smells like the inside of a Quaker oatmeal container. VERY light chocolate scent.

T: Nice roasted flavor. Light coffee. Mild sweet chocolate. Nice oaty finish. Very mild hop bitterness.

M: Medium bodied. Mild carbonation. Smooth but not Velvety.

O: Been hearing great things about Firestone Walker. Had a sip of their Double Jack and was impressed. Got a few of their brews, including the Parabola. Not super impressed with this one. It's decent but there's definitely many better.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2011 07:51:11 | More by doughanson78

CommanderOfAwesome

California

3.18/5  rDev -21.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

A: Thick and dark brown with minimal head and some slight lacing.

S: Getting some coffee flavoring, and Molasses.

T:Taste like a weak stout, or perhaps even a porter. Bold flavors fade quickly in the mouth. Oatmeal flavor comes in the finish, esp after a big swig.

M: Medium bodied

O: It's decent, I'm definitely a little disappointed as FS usually delivers. It's not bad but not great.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 21:42:57 | More by CommanderOfAwesome