The First Nail (2015) | Fremont Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Fremont Brewing Company
Washington, United States
fremontbrewing.com
Style: American Imperial Stout
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 11.50%
Availability: Limited (brewed once)
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by Anaxagoris on 02-14-2015
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 98 | Reviews: 21
Reviews by flagmantho:
4.4/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured from 22oz bomber into my Fremont tulip/goblet thingy.
Appearance: totally, completely, rich dark black with a finger of creamy dark-tan foam. My only complaint is that the head does not stick around very long.
Smell: big maltiness with a big chocolate character. The licorice comes through a little bit, but the malt is the story here.
Taste: again, hugely rich malt with a sweet and powerful character. There's some dark fruit here, some licorice, and some very light spicing. I wouldn't guess cinnamon right away, but it is definitely deep in there. A highly complex beer worthy of contemplation. Great.
Mouthfeel: medium-rich body with a huge smoothness. Not necessarily creamy, but exceptionally smooth.
Overall: a very fine sippin' beer indeed. I should have bought more to age.
808 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured from 22oz bomber into my Fremont tulip/goblet thingy.
Appearance: totally, completely, rich dark black with a finger of creamy dark-tan foam. My only complaint is that the head does not stick around very long.
Smell: big maltiness with a big chocolate character. The licorice comes through a little bit, but the malt is the story here.
Taste: again, hugely rich malt with a sweet and powerful character. There's some dark fruit here, some licorice, and some very light spicing. I wouldn't guess cinnamon right away, but it is definitely deep in there. A highly complex beer worthy of contemplation. Great.
Mouthfeel: medium-rich body with a huge smoothness. Not necessarily creamy, but exceptionally smooth.
Overall: a very fine sippin' beer indeed. I should have bought more to age.
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More User Reviews:
4.84/5 rDev +11%
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.
475 characters
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.
475 characters
4.76/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Easily one of the best beers I've ever had. Fremont knocks it out of the park with everything I try from them... They can't make a bad beer... Deep, dark, boozy, loaded with licorice and smokiness, just absolutely delicious... Rich and creamy... This beer is just stupid good... Can't say that I get any Cinnamon but who cares? It's over the top good... Delicious... A sipper...boozy... Loaded with dangerous delicious flavors...
439 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Easily one of the best beers I've ever had. Fremont knocks it out of the park with everything I try from them... They can't make a bad beer... Deep, dark, boozy, loaded with licorice and smokiness, just absolutely delicious... Rich and creamy... This beer is just stupid good... Can't say that I get any Cinnamon but who cares? It's over the top good... Delicious... A sipper...boozy... Loaded with dangerous delicious flavors...
439 characters
4.25/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.38/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.51/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.23/5 rDev -3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.44/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.25/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.24/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.77/5 rDev -13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4.59/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
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.
1,376 characters
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.
1,376 characters
4.43/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.46/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.25/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Good balance, but the cinnamon is lacking. Mainly a nice chocolate. Not much coffee. A tad watery as well. Still a yummy beer.
130 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Good balance, but the cinnamon is lacking. Mainly a nice chocolate. Not much coffee. A tad watery as well. Still a yummy beer.
130 characters
4.88/5 rDev +11.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Like woemad, I picked up this gem at my local Albertonson's - bottled 2/10/15. Thanks whoever aged this for me. Look - dark, brownish black with tan head. Smell - to me the licorice really stands out. Slight cinnamon. Taste - chocolate, molasses, licorice, then the cinnamon really kicks in. Feel - thick, rich, and creamy. Overall - love this beer. I wish I came across this beer last February because it would be interesting to see how this beer drinks fresh vs. some age.
474 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Like woemad, I picked up this gem at my local Albertonson's - bottled 2/10/15. Thanks whoever aged this for me. Look - dark, brownish black with tan head. Smell - to me the licorice really stands out. Slight cinnamon. Taste - chocolate, molasses, licorice, then the cinnamon really kicks in. Feel - thick, rich, and creamy. Overall - love this beer. I wish I came across this beer last February because it would be interesting to see how this beer drinks fresh vs. some age.
474 characters
4.67/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Loved it. Looking for more. Cleaned out the supply at my local QFC
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Loved it. Looking for more. Cleaned out the supply at my local QFC
66 characters
4.44/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a snifter, the beer produced a half inch milk chocolate head that sits atop a bold, dark beer,
Most impressive immediate fragrance is old fashioned licorice before a little chocolate pipes in.
Taste is huge chocolate, hints of anise and bound together with molasses. The cinnamon is there, but not as a lead actor but rather as an accent to the chocolate.
The feel of this beer is nothing less than geniusly creamy and silky smooth. Thick, creamy and lots of sweetness lingering. Like drinking chocolate cake batter.
Excellent beer, pure and simple.
569 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a snifter, the beer produced a half inch milk chocolate head that sits atop a bold, dark beer,
Most impressive immediate fragrance is old fashioned licorice before a little chocolate pipes in.
Taste is huge chocolate, hints of anise and bound together with molasses. The cinnamon is there, but not as a lead actor but rather as an accent to the chocolate.
The feel of this beer is nothing less than geniusly creamy and silky smooth. Thick, creamy and lots of sweetness lingering. Like drinking chocolate cake batter.
Excellent beer, pure and simple.
569 characters
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.
1,428 characters
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.
1,428 characters
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.
153 characters
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.
153 characters
The First Nail (2015) from Fremont Brewing Company
Beer rating:
4.36 out of
5 with
98 ratings
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