The First Nail (2015)
Fremont Brewing Company

The First Nail (2015)The First Nail (2015)
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From:
Fremont Brewing Company
 
Washington, United States
Style:
Oatmeal Stout
ABV:
11.5%
Score:
96
Avg:
4.36 | pDev: 8.26%
Reviews:
21
Ratings:
99
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jul 15, 2021
Added:
Feb 14, 2015
Wants:
  32
Gots:
  26
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by whitenads:
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Rated by whitenads from Michigan

3.84/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Jul 25, 2015
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.34 by kjkinsey from Texas

Jul 15, 2021
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Reviewed by LiquidAmber from Washington

4.39/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a Fremont small snifter. A 2015, properly cellared bottle. Pours a very dark mahogany brown, appearing opaque black in the glass with a somewhat fizzy, thin brown head that dissipates to patches with light lacing. Aroma of dark toasted malt, cinnamon and licorice, a hint of cocoa. Flavor is semi-sweet dark toasted malt, cinnamon, light cherry, licorice, milk and dark chocolate. Nice lingering cherry, licorice and cinnamon. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess and good mouth feel. Well, I was planning to drink a Rusty Nail tonight from one or two years ago as my 2018 bottle heads to the cellar. I grabbed this and poured before realizing that despite the nearly identical graphics, this is the base stout, The First Nail. This is one of those mistakes that it is impossible to regret. With three years on it, this was due for drinking anyway, and it has aged very nicely. The cinnamon is the dominant flavor, but not really forward; chocolate, cinnamon, licorice and a light cherry note are all well balanced and integrated. This stout is so complete and flavorful, it's almost odd anyone thought it should be further aged, until I remember that this could have some bourbon on top and I'm looking forward to my Rusty Nail in the future. Fremont really has mastered the barreled stouts and strong ales and this is one of fine creations. Excellent.
Jul 07, 2018
 
Rated: 4.59 by rjp217 from Massachusetts

Jul 07, 2018
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Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho

3.96/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Catch up rating from last night. First in a line of many imperial stouts. Color and pour normal, silky smooth body, up front ABV and following burn. Body right on for an oatmeal stout.
Mar 16, 2018
 
Rated: 4.43 by dshansen1184 from Washington

Nov 26, 2017
 
Rated: 4.5 by Eziel from Ohio

Oct 24, 2017
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Reviewed by Radcpa from Washington

4.54/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Very dark appearance with slight tan head. Aroma is a molasses sweet. Taste is a rich lightly sweet molasses without any hint of alcohol or bitterness.
Oct 10, 2017
 
Rated: 4.74 by raspy22 from Arizona

Jul 15, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by ADTaber from South Carolina

Jun 18, 2017
 
Rated: 4.46 by Dicers from California

May 29, 2017
 
Rated: 4.62 by Texasfan549 from Texas

May 27, 2017
 
Rated: 4.13 by Pearlstreetbrewingco from Florida

Apr 13, 2017
 
Rated: 4.44 by Bunuelian from Minnesota

Feb 26, 2017
 
Rated: 4.52 by siege06nd from Virginia

Jan 06, 2017
 
Rated: 4.35 by billab914 from Virginia

Jan 06, 2017
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Reviewed by DavoleBomb from Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a snifter.

4.5 A: Black color. One and a half fingers of frothy/creamy light brown head. Retention is impressive for a beer this massive and a short ring of lacing is left.

4.5 S: The nose is wonderful. Deep and welcoming. I won't even start with what's there because what isn't there is even more amazing. This has absolutely no booziness to it. That said, it has everything I want too. Rich caramel and molasses under a roast laden base. Next is the licorice. The smoke is present enough to know it's there, but only acts in a complementary role. The cinnamon rounds it out to give it a nice spicy kick. Sweet overall with a powerful neutral maltiness.

4.25 T: There is some booze in the taste, but it seems more in line with 7 or 8% and not 11.5%. Rich and spicy, more so than the nose. The smokiness meshes flawlessly with the caramel and molasses. Notes of semi-sweet chocolate, licorice, and roasted barley fill in underneath. Again the cinnamon adds a spiciness that enhances the subtle warming on the finish.

4.25 M: Heavy body. I usually love a rich, velvety body like this, but it's a bit too cloying, causing amylase globs to form in the mouth. Otherwise, good moderate carbonation and plenty of creaminess.

4.5 D: This is one hell of a brewery and they seem to have the big beers down. While I like some of their other beers better, this one is perfect for a cold wintry night.
Dec 01, 2016
 
Rated: 4.5 by oline73 from Maryland

Oct 27, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by BeerOps from Illinois

Oct 01, 2016
 
Rated: 2.08 by deonreds from New York

Aug 19, 2016
The First Nail (2015) from Fremont Brewing Company
Beer rating: 96 out of 100 with 99 ratings