Firestone Walker Brewing Company Velvet Merlin (365 Day 149)

By scot in 365 Days of American Craft Beer, Beer on Friday, April 29th, 2011

Firestone Walker Velvet Merlin

I have relished my run I have had on American craft beers from California. I have a few more choice beverages in the cellar to review over the next week but I know the fun will be coming to an end. The good news is that I believe I might have a consistent transaction partner so that I may have a consistent supply.

Firestone Walker Brewing Company was once again the spotlight for the evening. This time it was their oatmeal stout Velvet Merlin. This is the last of the four bottles of Firestone Walker beers that I have, so I reviewed Velvet Merlin with a slight bit of remorse.

As soon as I poured the beer, aromas of roasted malt and chocolate hit my hairy nostrils from more than two feet away. Quite impressive. The scents that precipitated from my pint glass were those that are well suited for a quality stout. The aroma made the beer big. The taste came next, once again, big roast and chocolate with an injection of coffee, with dark chocolate bitterness in the finish. Perfect. All this aroma, all this flavor was wrapped in a stout that was only 5.5% ABV and light in the mouth.

Being a home brewer, I am impressed with the ability to get so much yet keep the beer light or lighter than you would expect from such a large beer in the categories. Although, this could make or break the beer for other people. Wonderfully done. Enjoy!

Aroma: 10, Taste: 10, Look: 9, Drinkability: 8, Overall: 9.2

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