Velvet Merlin - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

GRG1313

California

3.03/5  rDev -25.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours black; very nice thick, firm long lasting tan head. Lovely. One of the nicest looking stouts I've seen.

Nose is medium assertive simple sweet black chocolate. Nothing complex but a nice chocolate nose. Mouthfeel is medium creamy and pleasant. Tasted at room temperature which highlights characteristics in my opinion.

Mouthfeel at room temp is a nice half and half quality, creamy pleasant.

Flavors are simple, short and uneventful. Simple light roasted grain. A watery chocolate flavor - simple. "Velvety" smooth-a blessing and a curse. A blessing in that the smoothness would be attractive if it didn't have the curse of weak waterly flavors. Simple roasted grain; simple black chocolate. Light carbonation once you give it a swirl or two. Without the 2 or 3 swirls it had better carbonation and a better mouthfeel.

There is a very light elegant roasted character to this - nothing special whatsoever in my opinion. No need for me to try again.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2010 02:25:21 | More by GRG1313

Xul

California

4.58/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: Pours dark brown with ruby highlights around the edges, capped by one and a half fingers of foamy, mocha-colored head. Retention is moderate as it settles down to around a half finger and slowly recedes from there.

S: Strong aroma of oats up front with a touch of cereal, along with big coffee notes, cocoa, and moderate roastiness. Hint of vanilla in the background, very well integrated.

T: Opens up with oats and roasted malts, followed by big cocoa on the mid-palate. Coffee comes in right after the cocoa and leaves a light bitterness through the finish, although cocoa returns on the aftertaste for some balancing sweetness.

M: Medium bodied width light to moderate carbonation, could be a touch creamier but very smooth for a reasonably light beer.

D: This would be incredibly easy to drink all night.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2010 03:41:56 | More by Xul

vkv822

Oregon

4.05/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle into tulip.

The beer pours black with deep brown highlights and a light toffee colored head that dissipates fairly quickly. There is some rising carbonation visible.

The aroma is of wonderful roasty coffee notes with very pleasant hints of sweet malts and cocoa.

The flavor is an incredibly smooth blend of roasted coffee malts upfront. There are very faint notes of vanilla and cocoa, with just a hint of bitterness to the finish.

The mouthfeel is quite smooth and creamy, with a medium body, though I would have liked a bit less carbonation.

This is a very drinkable beer, and I definitely plan on picking up some more of this while I can.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2010 03:24:24 | More by vkv822

hopsbreath

Oregon

4.7/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Looks like I'm the first to review this from the bottle. Bottled 9/20/2010.

Poured into a pint glass. Pours dark brown with deep plum edging. A few fingers of cappuccino head recedes to a spotty cap with a wispy ring on the edges. No lacing evident.

There's some deep roasted coffee on the nose. Some sweet malts, vanilla, soy sauce, and a little prune make this smell oh so good!

Tons of coffee, bakers cocoa, and roasty goodness are the most prolific flavors on the palate. No harsh bitterness or acrid flavors rear their ugly heads. The sharp edges have been knocked off this and it is wonderfully round. I love this stuff!

Oatmeal stouts have wonderful mouthfeel when done right and this bad boy is no exception! Creamy and smooth, I really like this more and more with each passing bottle. For the record I went through 4 of these with ease.

All too easily, Velvet Merlin disappears faster than free corn bread at a hoe down! Highly recommended regardless, of the name, get some now!

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2010 03:00:48 | More by hopsbreath

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

vacax

California

3.88/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Beachwood BBQ a few weeks ago at the Firestone 13 party. Review from notes. Poured into a goblet, very dark brown with red highlights. About one centimeter of tan head, high retention, fair lacing. Aroma is bready with oats, toasty, biscuity, fruity, and pops with some chocolate malts to it. Tastes of estery chocolate malts, robust levels of oats, biscuit and dough. Finish is roasty, bready, and cookielike. Feels thick and silky. Good oatmeal stout, better than average, but do not expect anything more than a regular oatmeal stout.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2009 09:00:04 | More by vacax

slayer3604

California

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

a-rich creamy tan head on dark brown body with cedar colored rim. retention gone to film in about 3 minutes.

S-cocoa butter, cherry, molassses and vanilla.

T-espresso, definately can taste the oat, firm chunky mouthfeel, chocolate and almond.

M-full bodied, lively, clean and ample coffee finish.

D-"Velvet" smooth, with no residual alcoholic burn, long lasting finish.

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2009 23:21:37 | More by slayer3604

cbarrett4

Oregon

3.83/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours with slight head fading rapidly to little or no lacing. Displays a great dark nose with lots of malts and roasted notes. Zesty yet rich on the palate, more dark flavors backing up the nose. In the mouth it is very effervescent and light, lacks stuffing. The finish is lingering, tart and slightly bitter but well integrated. For a stout, it is rather light but with good flavor and aromas.

Serving type: on-tap

12-08-2009 08:55:44 | More by cbarrett4

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

MisterClean

California

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

Had the purple pubic wig at Sac Brew.

A - Pours a dark brown, with 1.5 fingers mocha colored head. Dissipates fast and leaves no lacing.

S/T - Oats, raisin, medium roast coffee, and lots of chocolate.

M - Full bodied, malt dominated and very smooth. No taste of alcohol either.

D - Great overall, would love to have again and again.

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2009 16:44:44 | More by MisterClean