Merlot Stout
Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery

Beer Geek Stats
From:
Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery
 
Minnesota, United States
Style:
Sweet / Milk Stout
ABV:
Not listed
Score:
Needs more ratings
Avg:
4.61 | pDev: 3.47%
Reviews:
5
Ratings:
5
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Aug 13, 2006
Added:
Aug 08, 2004
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Photo of slyke
Reviewed by slyke from Minnesota

4.7/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This beer was a pleasure to drink. Appearance was deep, deep purple. In fact it looked black unless held up to the light. The head was a nice half inch of tan.

The smell was a bit like the Black H20 Stout from Town Hall, but it was dominated by "grapey-ness." (I'm not sure that was a word before I typed it.)

The taste started with a bit of stout maltiness before the flavor notes of a good merlot took over.

Mouthfeel was great, very smooth.

Drinkability was great too. This one felt a wee bit strong to make a session out of it, but it was an outstanding pint.

Get into Town Hall to try this one before it is gone again. This is a yummy, yummy beer.
Aug 13, 2006
Photo of WeisGuy
Reviewed by WeisGuy from New York

4.68/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
a - deep dark color, nearly black, tan head with decent retention, nice lacing

s - lots of roasted malt with some coffee in there, a slight sweetness also evident

t - wow, lots of depth to the flavor here, roasted malt balanced nicely balanced with sweetness up front, remnants of merlot present in the background adding a nice depth, the finish is nice and bitter, everthing a stout should be in my opinion

m - not much carbonation, full-bodied, coats the mouth nicely

d - I could sip this brew all night, still not sure what the abv is, but the alcohol was definitely not evident

I'm very glad I got the chance to try this amazing brew on my second-to-last night in the Twin Cities. One of the best stouts I've ever had. If not for the Tripel Vision and cask-conditioned Masala Mama, I'd have drank this all night. Get down to Town Hall before this baby runs out!
Aug 11, 2006
Photo of grub
Reviewed by grub from Canada (ON)

4.83/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
pours an opaque black colour with 3/4" of thick, cascading head that's a deep tan colour. not much lacing, but the head lasts a long time.

the aroma is much like their regular stout, but with a strong vinous overtone. deep dried fruit aroma, primarily grape/raisin with some prune/date.

taste is definitely stout, but there's no mistaking the merlot presence. at the same time, it definitely isn't overpowering and matches really well with the stout character. the malt is rich and bready, with hints of smoke, roast, and bitterness.

the mouthfeel is big and beefy, but helped by the low carbonation level. slightly tannic with just a hint of astringency.

drinkability is good, and probably better than the oatmeal stout. really good.

over the course of the day i tried many of the beers at the town hall, but this was definitely my favourite. it's unique and interesting and i really enjoyed it.
May 16, 2006
Photo of feloniousmonk
Reviewed by feloniousmonk from Minnesota

4.45/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
I really, truly rue that I cannot sip from a sample freshly poured off a growler right at this minute and put my thoughts into the keyboard as they come to me, for this is cask-only, and I didn't take notes, merely tucked my memory away from the pint and a half I had a mere hour ago. Moreover, I wish it were growlerized, in that I could taste this sweet stuff more conveniently, but that's how they get you, back to the brewpub I go...
Pours out a nearly full black, with light crimson shining at the very edges, with a plump, creamy tan head atop.
Aroma is sweet and fruity, with all grape character, virtually none of what you'd find in a "normal" stout.
This continues in the taste, as well. Body is full, but thin compared to a traditional stout, though the rich, sweet fruit taste rides on high. There's a tannic texture as well, slightly acid, grabby on the palate. A delicious stout, that truly reminds you of wine. Damned drinkable, you could gulp them down almost too quickly if you're not careful...that is, if you're like me.
With luck, this will last more than a week, and you can get a chance to taste it...but, please do try, it's a treat!
Aug 09, 2004
Photo of tavernjef
Reviewed by tavernjef from Minnesota

4.41/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
On-cask at the brewpub: Lovely pulled pour with the cascading effect of ochre yellow flying up the sides of the glass, reaching a final solid black with tiny slivers of ruby at the bottom and edges. The head on this is like a whole nother liquid! Firm, milky, rich, spongy, and thick, of a light sandy brown and about a finger high. Absolutely lovely to look at for a cask poured pint.

Nose is softly robust of a supurb oaty sweetness decorated with a heavenly bakers chocolate on top. The sweetness is quite evident but never overly so.

Taste is fantastic, smooth and sweet, rich and subdued in a tangy oaty sweetness. The merlot is there in a darker undertow mixed with bits of milk chocolate. Oh so nice, the sweetness is welcoming throughout the whole ride with a interesting tang of oats, milk, and dull cherryness. The chocolate darts and coats along the way with the sweetening factors while the merlot flavors paint a whisping hint of dark grape vinous and woodish-like nature underneath.

Spectacularly smooth and sweet with a medium body feel and a great little tang inside. Texture is oh so nice from the cask pull, quite smooth and calming. This is really nice stuff, akin to the H2O oatmeal stout but with a certain flare of extra sweetness and touch of merlot to its flavors. Yum.
Aug 08, 2004
Merlot Stout from Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery
Beer rating: 4.61 out of 5 with 5 ratings