The First Nail (2014) With Cinnamon, Licorice And Smoked Barley
Fremont Brewing Company

The First Nail (2014) With Cinnamon, Licorice And Smoked BarleyThe First Nail (2014) With Cinnamon, Licorice And Smoked Barley
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From:
Fremont Brewing Company
 
Washington, United States
Style:
Oatmeal Stout
ABV:
11.5%
Score:
94
Avg:
4.29 | pDev: 10.26%
Reviews:
9
Ratings:
50
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Apr 20, 2019
Added:
Feb 13, 2015
Wants:
  8
Gots:
  9
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by SeeingMeansMore:
Photo of SeeingMeansMore
Rated by SeeingMeansMore from Oregon

4.46/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

May 05, 2015
More User Ratings:
Photo of Oh_Dark_Star
Reviewed by Oh_Dark_Star from Washington

2.75/5  rDev -35.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75
Gross, Gross, Gross. My buddy and I drain poured this and it hadn't spoiled.
I don't mind licorice, but wow. I cannot believe that The Rusty Nail is one of my absolute favorite beers and this was such swill. Stay retired.
Apr 20, 2019
 
Rated: 3.71 by RPM3334 from South Carolina

Dec 16, 2018
Photo of Treyliff
Reviewed by Treyliff from West Virginia

4.64/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
22oz bottle poured into a snifter

A- pours a deep black color with a one-finger dark brown head that has good retention before settling to a ring around the edge and leaving some lacing behind

S- initial aroma gives notes of smoked barley and booze soaked dark cherries, followed by aromas of black licorice, chocolate, raisins & cinnamon. Also picking up a port-like note, as well as brown sugar undertone

T- smoked barley adds a subtle smoky note up front, followed by dark chocolaty malt, sweet molasses and caramel. Mid-palate adds notes of black licorice, raisins, figs & brown sugar. The finish is rich with port & sherry qualities, with the cinnamon cutting through just enough to compliment the smoked barely. Lingers of smoked barley, cinnamon & dark fruits

M- medium-heavy body with moderate carbonation leads to a creamy mouthfeel that continues into a silky, slightly warming finish

O- one of the best non-barrel aged stouts I've had in a long time, I didn't get to try this fresh, but I see no signs of oxidation, simply outstanding
Oct 08, 2018
 
Rated: 4.5 by NolaHopHead from Louisiana

Oct 30, 2017
 
Rated: 4.44 by Eziel from Ohio

Apr 13, 2017
 
Rated: 4.23 by Raziel313 from California

Mar 27, 2017
 
Rated: 4.04 by Kramerwtmf from California

Feb 21, 2016
 
Rated: 4.29 by dheldman from Minnesota

Feb 08, 2016
Photo of EdwardAbbey
Reviewed by EdwardAbbey from Washington

4.84/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Probably my favorite beer of those that have never graced a barrel. Certainly my favorite dark beer of that kind. The cinnamon, licorice, and smoked barley are neither subtle nor in any way heavy-handed. They simply play off each other in a dynamic, delightful way, and make this beer, with the rest of the base, satiny-smooth despite its heft. It's not at all hard to imagine why the BBA version of this, the Rusty Nail, is so revered. Having had this one, I revere it.
Dec 27, 2015
 
Rated: 4.77 by LFinCO from Colorado

Dec 19, 2015
 
Rated: 4.1 by SweetChicken from Massachusetts

Oct 24, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by AndyCowles75 from Netherlands

Oct 03, 2015
 
Rated: 3.94 by stratusjeans from Washington

Sep 06, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by MNBeerGeek from Minnesota

Aug 23, 2015
Photo of snaotheus
Reviewed by snaotheus from Washington

3.99/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2015-08-07
22oz bottle, black waxed with glitter or something. No dates I can find. Bought it at the brewery a long time ago, but I don't remember when. It's been sitting in the fridge since then.

Pours black, with tiny head, and little carbonation. Smell is slight cinnamon, heavy anise, lots of sweetness, a little roast.

Taste is sweet, just verging on too sweet. Lots of black licorice. Very noticeable cinnamon, but not overpowering. Strong milk chocolate. By the time I finish this large beer, it'll be too sweet, but for the first couple sips, it's nice.

Mouthfeel is thick and syrupy. Overall, nice tasty beer.
Aug 08, 2015
Photo of Orca
Reviewed by Orca from Washington

4.04/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
22oz into a tulip. Pours a rich oily black w/ a 1-finger khaki head.

Aroma is rich and dense. Molasses, licorice, bitter chocolate.

Taste is likewise thick and complex. Bitter chocolate, vague spice, molasses. Earthy, rich. Cinnamon faint, subdued. Just a slight heat on the back of the throat.

Mouthfeel is thick and coating, full bodied. Good carbonation keeps it from getting syrupy.

Overall a nice heavy stout but the cinnamon is missing.
Jun 17, 2015
 
Rated: 4.28 by TheStoutHound from Wisconsin

Jun 14, 2015
 
Rated: 4.5 by itracy63 from Washington

Jun 12, 2015
Photo of mactrail
Reviewed by mactrail from Washington

2.58/5  rDev -39.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2
This is one you have to taste to believe. Sugary, beyond sweet. The cinnamon would gag you but the licorice really gets the finger down your throat. I'm coming up for air. Deeply spicy aroma. Smoked persimmon cookies.

The smoke makes this taste even sweeter. Crazy taste, but hard to get down. This is like some kind of highly sophisticated liquid dessert, but I call it artisinal cough syrup. From the 22 oz bottle purchased at Whidbey Beer Works in Oak Harbor for $10.00.
Jun 04, 2015
The First Nail (2014) With Cinnamon, Licorice And Smoked Barley from Fremont Brewing Company
Beer rating: 94 out of 100 with 50 ratings