Stats:
- Style: Oatmeal Stout
- Bitterness: Not specified
- ABV: 5.5%
- Malts: Maris Otter, 2-Row Pale, Roast Barley, English Dark Caramel, Medium Caramel, Carafa Malt, Oats (15%)
- Hops: 100% US grown Fuggle
- Fermentation: 100% Stainless then partially aged in bourbon barrels.
- Sampled: 12 oz. bottle
Description: "A decadent Oatmeal Stout brimming with cocoa and espresso
aromas. Partially aged in bourbon barrels, this beer features a rich, dark
chocolate and roasted coffee flavor with a creamy mouth feel and wonderfully
dry finish. The addition of U.S. grown fuggles hops contributes the perfect
amount of bitterness to this exceptionally balanced beer." — Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Random thoughts: Velvet Merlin is Firestone Walker's winter seasonal. I'm a big fan of FW's beers. They're consistently excellent! I'm sampling this beer as part of my Stout Month series.
The tasting: Near black in color with a dark tan head that dissipates fairly quickly. Aroma of roasted malt, espresso, and a touch of smoke. Flavor mirrors the aroma with addition of bittersweet dark chocolate and some mild earthy hops. The roasted malts provide a nice bitterness and the alcohol is not noticeable in aroma or flavor. Velvet Merlin is medium bodied, moderately carbonated, and has a wonderful smooth creamy mouth feel—compliments of the oatmeal. It finishes dry with notes of coffee and chocolate.
Rating: 4 star. Really Good! I want this again! If you have access to Firestone Walker's beer and like stouts, this is a must-try. In my view, the incredible mouth feel that comes from the oatmeal puts this beer over the top. I recently brewed my own oatmeal stout (Stone's 12 Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout). If it turns out half as good as this, I'll be thrilled!Have you tasted Velvet Merlin?
1 comments:
That sounds awesome. I love FW beers too! Unfortunately, I haven't seen any Velvet Merlin out here in the greater Boston area. Cheers!
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