Velvet Merlin - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours 1 finger of light tan head. Leaves some rings. Color is a dark copper brown.

Aroma: Rich espresso, chocolate, caramel, and a lot of malts. Some vanilla. Big roast.

Taste: More espresso, roasted malts, chocolate, caramel, and vanilla. A lot like the nose.

Mouthfeel: Massive roast, medium bodied with a medium amount of carbonation. Ends pretty dry.

Overall, too roasted for me. Otherwise, it is pretty good. I got no bourbon or oak out of this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2011 22:27:58 | More by mothman

Hojaminbag

Colorado

3.6/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Velvet Merlin has a dark brown body that is mostly opaque and a light brown head that has decent retention and lacing.

The aroma has chocolate, coffee, and a bit of roast.

More of the same from the flavor. All malt with only the slightest hint of hops in the background. A great balance between chocolate, coffee and roasted malts.

Fantastic mouthfeel on this one, even for an oatmeal stout, which generally have a good feel. Thick, smooth and creamy.

Velvet Merlin has a great name and is a solid if unspectacular beer. I have to say that the mouthfeel might actually live up to the name.

Serving type: on-tap

01-11-2011 19:17:22 | More by Hojaminbag

armock

New York

4/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap @ The Princess Pub & Grille

A - Poured a black color with a brown head that leaves lacing behind

S - Is of roasted malt with strong coffee scents

T - Follows the nose with roasted malt and coffee

M - This beer has a medium body with medium carbonation to it

D - This is the perfect beer right now with the cold weather it tastes very good and is easy drinking worth grabbing a pint if you see it around

Serving type: on-tap

11-29-2010 19:15:59 | More by armock

drabmuh

Maryland

4.15/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Another California oddity I drank on my trip. Beer was black with a tan head that leaves some lacing on the glass. Bubbles are small and carbonation is moderate to low.

Aroma is roasty and has some oatmeal notes to it. It smells really nice.

Beer tastes like coffee and oatmeal. It has a medium to full body and the sweetness of the stout coats my mouth. Drinkability suffers slightly for me due to the overall weight of the beer but its really good. I would definitely have this again.

Serving type: on-tap

11-02-2010 16:51:20 | More by drabmuh

yemenmocha

Arizona

4.6/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Enjoyed on draft in San Francisco at 21st Amendment brewpub as guest tap.

Draft version more robust flavors and nose was more assertive. Otherwise very similar to bottled version.

Pours a very dark brown to almost black color. Nose is rich with roasted malts and wet robusta coffee grounds. On the palate the roasty flavors take center stage, with a bit of sweetness that is present as well. Some gentle woody components are noted, but subtle. The roasty character carries nicely into the finish. Medium bodied and very, very drinkable. Nice session stout.

Serving type: on-tap

11-01-2010 04:58:01 | More by yemenmocha

BuckeyeOne

Washington

3.93/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Brouwers.

Poured a pitch black core with red highlight --- kinda like my wife's current hairstyle --- scary.

The smell was a little underwhelming --- roasted malt, a tiny bit of chocolate and burnt coffee.

The taste beat the smell. Tasted like roasted malted barley, milk chocolate and creamy espresso. Just the hint of dried fruit.

The mouthfeel was a bit thin. The oatmeal gave this a nice little smoothness. I was wanting, however.

This was a good price and I'll buy this again. But, there are better stouts out there at this price.

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2010 00:14:55 | More by BuckeyeOne

sholland119

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Collins Pub, 9/8/10

A-Pours a coppery brown with a thin mocha head and no lacing.

S-Sweet cocoa and roasted coffee. Good balance of hops and malt.

T-Taste has an even balance of malty sweetness and roast. A bit bland overall though.

M-Medium bodied, a bit lacking in oatmeal character.

D-Good, not particularly memorable.

HV

Serving type: on-tap

10-25-2010 12:46:10 | More by sholland119

mithrascruor

California

3.9/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Callahan's, San Diego.

Pours a solid black color with a patchy, dark tan head. Minimal but deep malt aroma. Smooth and full-bodied (but without being viscous) with light carbonation. Good malt flavor with some coffee - not too much "roasted" flavor, but that lets the cream and oat flavors through. A pretty nice and tasty oatmeal stout, with a fairly low ABV.

Serving type: on-tap

10-24-2010 21:30:20 | More by mithrascruor

beertunes

Washington

3.98/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in Imperial pint. The beer poured black, with a thin tan head that had OK retention and lace.

The aroma was nicely roast malts and very well blended. The flavors were very similar, full, well-rounded malt and grain. The body was full, smooth and well-rounded. Drinkability was very good, I could easily have several of these.

Overall, a very good beer that borders on excellent. Worth seeking out.

Serving type: on-tap

10-20-2010 19:46:46 | More by beertunes

weazal

California

4/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Blue Palms Firestone event

SMELL: Good, strong aroma of dark coffee with some bitter dark chocolate towards the end.

TASTE: Instantly complex and delicious. A little sharp and bitter upfront which carried through at near full force all the way to the end.

Serving type: on-tap

06-29-2010 01:39:30 | More by weazal

washburnkid

New York

4.2/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Davis Graduate. Reviewed from notes.

A: One finger of froth of tan head dissipates within a minute or so. The body is dark with rich brown edges in the light. Not much retention or lacing.
S: Aromas are lightly roasted coffee bean and sweet chocolate.
T: Flavors are light on the acidity (almost non-existent, really), and heavy on the sweet malt profile. Coffee and chocolate dominating, with very little bitterness to speak of.
M/D: Body is a little light on the palate but there's nice carbonation. Smooth as velvet but still a tad thin. Flavors are toned down...I wished so badly to just taste "more". But this beer was still enjoyable!

Serving type: on-tap

04-26-2010 02:29:50 | More by washburnkid

flexabull

California

4.13/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Happy to see this at the Alehouse in Redding.

Pours a dark brown color with a faint off white head.

Aromas are of roasted malts, some cocoa, and vanilla.

Taste is clean and smooth. Some chocolate, light coffee, and a creamy sweetness. Finish has a slight pine hop bitter note.

Mouthfeel is great. Very smooth.

Drinkability is this beers strong suit. A tasty oatmeal stout that goes down easy and is not to heavy.

Serving type: on-tap

04-25-2010 15:59:33 | More by flexabull

pants678

California

3.05/5  rDev -24.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

The Merkin is thick and it is opaque. Like so black it's blue black. There's a thin bubbly head that doesn't last long.

Looks similar to LA's Ten Commandments so I expected figs, something dark and sweet, but I got your usuals: roasted coffee and dark chocolate.

There is a serious hop finish on the end of the chocolate and vanilla body. Not quite chocolate though, I think it's closer to cocoa. That finish, though, gives a taste of syrup sweetness underneath if you can swish it around and get at it.

The name suggests how smooth it is. I guess you can't ask for more carbonation when Velvet's the trademark.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2010 07:56:45 | More by pants678

jminsc76

California

3.78/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Haven's Gastropub in Orange.

Pours a decent head that dissipates quickly, with what is left sitting atop an impenetrable black body.

Aromas include plenty of roasty breadiness, with slight whiffs of either molasses, coffee, and cocoa in the nose. A wonderful bouquet.

The flavor profile exhibits some bite, with espresso bitterness and mild carob washing across the palate. It's decent, though it lacks a certain level of the oomph! I have tasted in other quality oatmeal stouts such as Barney Flats.

The mouthfeel is velvety indeed, very full upon swishing, and does not disappoint.

Overall, my initial impression is the aromas and mouthfeel are the saving grace of this beer; however, I have had it at other locations since Haven's and the flavors are better than what I initially experienced. It's a very good oatmeal stout - exhibiting an excellent balance - but still needs a little more to make it a classic. As of now, it's a good session brew, for me.

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2010 05:07:44 | More by jminsc76

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.2/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

On tap at FW Taproom

Poured a deep brown almost black and it had a small white head. Nose had some hints of toffee, oatmeal and cocoa. Went down smooth and the ABV was around 5. Taste was smooth with not as much taste up front but through the middle and mouthfeel is where this beer is strongest i thought. Lots of smoothness, oats, cocoa, maybe a light coffee feel and creamy, roasted malts. Very smooth and highly drinkable. Best Oatmeal Stout I have had next to BORIS.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2010 04:04:58 | More by barleywinefiend

nickd717

California

4.05/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Rose & Crown in Palo Alto.

Pours about as black as can be with a well-retained average-sized tan head.

Aroma is nice and pretty much as expected for an oatmeal stout, with coffee, chocolate, and roast. Ever so slightly metallic.

Flavor is really great and gets better as the beer warms (was served too cold originally). Coffee, chocolate, roasted malt, caramel, oatmeal. No booze at all. Was this -bal aged? I thought I heard it was, but it doesn't taste like it.

Fairly full and really smooth on the palate, like "velvet" even, as the name would imply.

Good drinkability, and a great beer overall.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2010 22:26:35 | More by nickd717

Overlord

California

4.13/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Been looking forward to trying this for quite some time.

Pours black with dark brown edging and a two inch tan head. Smells like bitter roastiness, some oatmeal, but it's a fairly muted nose.

Taste is much more robust. A tad bit of vanilla, a bit of chocolate, but mostly a big bitter (hopped??) roasty coffee-ish oatmeal. MMMM... Reminded me a bit of Cadillac Mountain Stout for some reason. The oatmeal is nicely integrated and isn't overpowering.

A bit thin of a mouthfeel.

Good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-28-2010 09:34:06 | More by Overlord

BretSikkink

Mexico

3.65/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Darkest brown color with few bar-lit highlights. Served in a dimpled mug with a good inch of frothy cafe au lait-colored head. Good stick and legs on this one.

The nose is a little disappointing, as the roasted malt bill doesn't bring the heat. Some chocolate and coffee notes, hints of ripe dark fruit, but nothing that draws you in. The flavor is similarly under-done, with a slightly watery mouthfeel. There's not quite enough carbonation to take off the acrid taste, and the flavors are too evenly balanced to be terribly interesting.

I'm not a hater of even-handed beers, but I thought this was very run of the mill for stouts, and I tend to expect a little better from F.W. The brewers can take that as a compliment to their other beers.

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2010 04:29:08 | More by BretSikkink

froghop

Washington

3.85/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

oatmeal stout on tap at coronado brewing company.

pours black with a small khaki head, and very good lacing.

smell of cocoa, coffee, and a touch of roasted malt.

taste is of dark chocolate, bakers chocolate, some coffee, and malt in the back, ends dry and somewhat bitter.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2010 00:40:37 | More by froghop

HalfFull

California

3.9/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured on tap into a tulip glass. Pours nearly black in color, with just a hint of ruby highlights. Half an inch of tan head offers decent retention and yields some random lacing. Mid glass a surface film can be regenerated without much effort.

Nose of baker's chocolate and a hint of coffee through the foam. Slightly darker chocolate and roasted malts between swirls, thin at times.

Taste carries forward the roasted malts, a bit of chocolate and a nice oat flavor and body. Smooth feel with a nice texture. Easy drinking for the ABV which is mostly disguised in the structure of the beer. Carbonation is somewhat light yet quite appropriate for the beverage. Worth a try.

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2010 07:45:21 | More by HalfFull

mjl21

California

4.05/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at the Blue Palms in LA. Poured into a tulip glass. No abv info is given.

A-Based on the lighting, it pours black with a one and three quarter finger sandy head that has some nice staying power. The residual head results in some nice swaths of lace.

S-Lot of dark roast malt aroma. It reminded me of a mocha that didn't have a whole lot of chocolate pumped into the glass.

T-Roast malt followed by a touch of sweetness. There is definite coffee flavor and the oats used are noticeable. It has a roasted aftertaste and leaves a little pinch of vanilla and marshmallow at the end.

M-Creamy and velvety smooth.

D-The abv is extremely well hidden. Seemed to sip this faster than most stouts.

This is always a great brew from FW. Nothing out of the ordinary, just a well crafted oatmeal stout.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2010 23:19:51 | More by mjl21

ETF5000

California

3.8/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap from O'Briens Pub in San Diego.

A- Poured a dark brown, opaque looking with about a fingers head. The head quickly disappears leaving only the dark brown beer.

S- dark roasted malt comes up front with a vengeance. Somewhere in the mix comes the mealy oats, not too upfront , but nicely nestled within classic beer smells. A hint of his rounds out the nose. Nice

T- caramel malt, as with the nose comes up front. Further back comes the smoothness if the oats. Unfortunately, for an oatmeal stout, it left me wanting a bit more on the oat side. Hops round out the finish. Nothing too bitter, but they complete the trio

M- not too carbonated, but certainly not flat. No complaints here.

D- an easy drinker, I would get this beet again yo introduce people to the style, but it's really nothing too complex.

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2010 23:45:48 | More by ETF5000

TheJollyHop

California

3.58/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at the Blue Palms

Pours black with a light brown head.

Nose is dominated by roasted malt, cocoa, and a small amount of sweet toffee.

Taste pretty much parallels the aroma with the addition of oats. Bitterness exerts itself, but knows when to back off and only lingers briefly after the swallow. The alcohol is also well hidden.

Soft, creamy mouthfeel that is highly carbonated and mouth enveloping.

Very filling and enjoyable, however would have benefited more from a lower alcohol concentration.

Serving type: on-tap

01-01-2010 15:55:19 | More by TheJollyHop

womencantsail

California

3.8/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Blue Palms. I was really glad to see this one hadn't kicked yet.

A: A very nice looking black pour with a thin layer of tan foam on top.

S: A strong aroma of coffee with other scents such oatmeal, roasted malt, and chocolate joining the party.

T: The flavor is a bit disappointing. The coffee is once again the dominant sensation. The oatmeal is there, but surprisingly not a huge presence. There are also some hints of chocolate and roasted malt.

M: The beer has a nice smooth somewhat creamy mouthfeel. The body, however, isn't quite as full as I was expecting.

D: Certainly a very drinkable beer with very little alcohol presence. I was really excited to get to try this, but a bit let down by it.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2009 01:35:11 | More by womencantsail

augustgarage

California

3.98/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Blue Palms Brewhouse in Hollywood. Served in a generic wide-mouth tulip.

Opaque seal brown body topped by a small desert sand head which recedes to a dense custardy collar and a thin layer of film punctuated by milkshake-like bubbles. Thin sticky lacing lines the edge of the glass.

Smells like pancakes, crackers, nutella, light grain, and mild roast malt.

The roast level and hops merge to contribute equally to a pleasant low-level bitterness. Toast and a slight fruit note mid-palate. Finishes dry with a hints of Ovaltine and Postum. Decent flavor profile, but not terribly exciting on its own.

Smooth medium-light body with prickly carbonation and faint astringency. ABV is concealed well.

Quite mild...with less alcohol this could be a "session" beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2009 17:42:14 | More by augustgarage