Nitro Merlin
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

Nitro MerlinNitro Merlin
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From:
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
Sweet / Milk Stout
ABV:
5.5%
Score:
91
Avg:
4.06 | pDev: 7.64%
Reviews:
126
Ratings:
503
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Nov 30, 2023
Added:
Jan 07, 2016
Wants:
  18
Gots:
  115
Our Velvet Merlin oatmeal stout has been transformed into a mindblowing mouthful known as Nitro Merlin Milk Stout. The new ingredient is lactose, a.k.a. milk sugar. When Velvet Merlin is brewed with milk sugar to create Nitro Merlin Milk Stout, the effect is similar to adding cream to your dark roasted coffee. The wizardry comes via “nitro,” the brewing nickname for nitrogen gas.
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Ratings by scootercrabb:
Photo of scootercrabb
Rated by scootercrabb from Illinois

3.77/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Oct 16, 2016
More User Ratings:
Photo of stevoj
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho

4/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Draft at The Shed. Dark brown with one finger , creamy head, which lasts all the way to the bottom Slightly sweet lacto aroma, roast grains. Taste also focuses on the milky sweetness, chocolate notes. Super smooth and creamy.
Nov 30, 2023
Photo of ThatGuyJoe
Reviewed by ThatGuyJoe from Missouri

4.76/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This was my favorite stout, but Firestone Walker discontinued it in late 2022.

Black, creamy pour after inverting can 3 times before opening (per instructions on the label).

Mouthfeel and taste are excellent. Roasty, chocolate, & sweet.
Feb 09, 2023
Photo of BucannonXC5
Reviewed by BucannonXC5 from California

4/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Type: 12-oz. can
Reviewed as: Milk / Sweet Stout
Glass: Ball 16-oz. mason jar
Price: $10.99 for a 6-pack
From: Bristol Farms in Manhattan Beach, Calif.
Purchased: Nov. 25, 2021
Consumed: Dec. 1, 2021
Misc.: Canned on June 11, 2021 at 8:44 a.m. PT

Picked up a 6-pack of this and a 4-pack of an El Segundo pale ale on Thanksgiving. Had four of them previously, giving three a 4.00 on Untappd and one a 3.75. For the first one on Nov. 25 I wrote “Surprised I hadn’t had this before. At least this nitro version. Probably around a 3.85. Very good.” I later remarked that it got better as it warmed. Firestone’s website called it “Nitro Merlin Milk Stout incorporates nitro gas for a smooth, creamy mouthfeel and milk sugar for a hint of sweet roundness. To create this beer, Brewmaster Matt “Merlin” Brynildson worked his magic to offer a true widget-free nitro experience straight from the can. Be sure to “master the surge pour” for maximum enjoyment. Ultra-smooth nitro mouthfeel. Dark, toasted malt flavors, a creamy texture and a touch of sweetness.”

Poured a pitch black color with two fingers of khaki-tan frothy head. Could see plenty of bubbles coming up along the sides of the glass. Average watery lacing. Bad retention. (Sight - 3.50)

Smelled dark chocolate, chocolate milk, roasty malts, touch of coconut and milk sugar. Not as good out of the can. (Smell - 4.00)

Tasted milk chocolate, roasty malts, chocolate milk, wood, vanilla and hints of coconut. (Taste - 4.00)

Full body. Creamy texture. Soft carbonation. Smooth finish. (Feel - 4.25)

A pretty good beer overall. Outstanding. (Overall - 4.00)

4.00 | 90 | A-
Feb 05, 2023
Photo of 40ontarget
Reviewed by 40ontarget from Colorado

4.27/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Deep dark brown with just a hint of ruby showing through and a big ol tan nitro head. Coffee and chocolate jump out of the glass and fades to something like a cup of warm cocoa. The end carries a slight scent of toasty malts. The taste follows the nose closely but with more milkiness and a bit of brown sugar. The feel is quite creamy and pleasant. Oh so good sipping beer that makes one feel good in it's creamy cocoa feel.
Jan 18, 2023
 
Rated: 4.09 by caffeinelogic from New York

Dec 04, 2022
Photo of dcotom
Reviewed by dcotom from Iowa

3.94/5  rDev -3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from 12-ounce can into a snifter. Deep brown in color, not quite opaque, with a long-lasting tan nitro head that eventually settled to a thick ring. Aromas and flavors of dark roasted malt, espresso bean, and char, with hints of molasses and licorice. Mouthfeel is a little on the lighter side. Finish is dry, with a bit of astringency and a slightly sour note. I'd advise reading the pouring instructions on the can if you want the full nitro effect. (I didn't know they were there until it was too late.)
Oct 30, 2022
Photo of MarcusLoman
Rated by MarcusLoman

3.53/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Tastes very similar to Guinness
Aug 17, 2022
Photo of brewerburgundy
Reviewed by brewerburgundy from West Virginia

4.09/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12oz can, Duvel Tulip, canned 4/2021.

I learned about the surge pour from the can and it yielded a very pretty dark beer with a half inch of crema on top and tiny bubbles clinging to most of the glass like delicate barnacles.

The aroma is what I remember from the original Velvet Merlin; hot cocoa, very smooth coffee with cream, Graham cracker.

The flavors are of the smoothest coffee with cream, chocolate sauce, and a little licorice with a hint of bitterness.

Light body, very few bubbles, smooth.
Jul 12, 2022
Photo of BillyBoxer
Rated by BillyBoxer from Wisconsin

4.41/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
I wish I could I find this on tap everywhere instead of Guinness! Very nice nitro stout!
Jul 09, 2022
Photo of JokersAce
Reviewed by JokersAce

4.11/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Beautiful black pour with the reverse cascade effect slowly creating a tan frothy head that remains. I forgot to do the tilt directed on the can but no matter. Tastes like drinking milk and I love milk. Though there is not much of a feel here in terms of carbonation but it does feel thick and creamy. Some bitter notes staying on the tongue, as well as a bit of roasted malts revealing themselves upon warming, but overall this is a very creamy milk stout.
Canned either on 4/11/21 or 8/11/21, indiscernible due to smeared lettering. Enjoyed on 5/12/22.
May 12, 2022
Photo of whynot44
Reviewed by whynot44 from Missouri

4.14/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Very dark, black coffee color with a nice creamy tan head that stays around and leaves lots of nice lacing. The aroma is chocolate milk, coffee, roasted nuts.
The taste is also chocolate milk with hints of coffee, vanilla, molasses and roasted hazelnuts, but primarily chocolate milk, very nice.
The body is medium, incredibly smooth and silky, very nice drinking.
Altogether this is one of the smoothest, tastiest milk stouts I have tried, good with most food but best as desert.
Apr 08, 2022
Photo of Spike
Reviewed by Spike from England

4.22/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Nitro pour at Fraunces Tavern, NYC.
L: Almost black with red edging and two fingers of creamy, mocha head. Sheets of lacing.
S: Nose is mix of cocoa, milk powder and instant coffee granules.
T: Moderately sweet, malted milk chocolate flavour. Soft caramel backbone.
F: Mouthfeel is smooth and silky with zero carbonation.
O: An excellent, easy-drinking, not-too-sweet milk stout.
Mar 29, 2022
Photo of GStone899
Reviewed by GStone899 from Minnesota

4.01/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
This is the definition of a sweet light stout. Not too overwhelming but frothy and delicious. Super smooth finish which is impressive. Goes down like velvet. Nice desert beer.
Feb 27, 2022
Photo of milkshakebeersucks
Reviewed by milkshakebeersucks from Maryland

4.17/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Appearance: Dark brown with a long lasting tan head and good lacing.
Aroma: Roasted malts complimented by bittersweet chocolate and a bit of coffee.
Taste: Roasted malts and coffee remain a focal point. Earthy notes. Aftertaste like a liquid chocolate brownie.
Mouthfeel: Smooth and sweet. Medium-to-full bodied. Modestly carbonated.
Feb 14, 2022
 
Rated: 3.84 by TMoney2591 from Illinois

Jan 17, 2022
Photo of Christianriveraaa
Reviewed by Christianriveraaa

4.44/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Look: Bought from a craft beer store, poured straight into the glass from a 12 oz can - Pour was a creamy brown color which quickly turned into dark brown/ almost midnight black after the carbonation rose to the surface. Some carbonation - about 1 and a half fingers of foam left at the top.
Smell: Getting a milky lactose smell followed by some cocoa and coffee. Heavy milky smell for this one.
Taste: Tasting the lactose as well as the cocoa with some hints of coffee. Very good! Honestly this is top 3 tasting milk stouts for me. This tastes just like milk! You can't taste the alcohol at all!
Feel: No carbonation on the tongue as expected with a nitro but this is another level. I've never tasted something as smooth as this beer before. Well done!
Overall: This beer is unique in it's own way. Not everyone will love it but I deeply appreciate it since it's a sweet, milky beer that delivers the taste and drink almost like you're drinking a milkshake. So good. Would highly recommend to anyone who is a beer drinker - even if they aren't into stouts.
Overall:
Jan 17, 2022
 
Rated: 3.84 by desint from Belgium

Dec 10, 2021
Photo of Rug
Reviewed by Rug from Massachusetts

4.04/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Canned 7/21/21

I haven’t had many Firestone Walker beers before, but I have a pretty good track record of what I have had from them. This is just a nitro version of their oatmeal stout which I haven’t seen around before. I’m in the mood for something sweet yet light up first tonight so hopefully that takes care of that craving

Pours a clearish dark brown with an infinite finger of light tan head that leaves minimal lacing

It’s a pretty basic milk stout in the nose, but that’s certainly not a negative. I’m picking up on aromas of milk chocolate, vanilla creme, light roast coffee, brown bread, and a touch of brown sugar

This pretty much follows the nose, with the nitro keeping things smooth up front, yet more substantial after the swallow. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting vanilla creme, toast, milk chocolate, and light caramel. The swallow brings notes of medium roast coffee, dark toast, cocoa powder, sticky toffee, and brown sugar

A light medium body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a silky beer. Finishes mostly dry with a nice roast to help it along

It‘s nothing special, but it’s certainly a solid example of the style. Very well done
Dec 03, 2021
Photo of Mindcrime1000
Reviewed by Mindcrime1000 from South Dakota

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a nonic.

Pours dark brown but not completely opaque. A very nice creamy caramel head that lingers almost to the end of the brew, so the lacing almost doesn't get a chance. Nice.

Aromas of roasted malts and coffee. Not terribly strong but pleasant.

Sweet lactose early in the brew along with chocolate and coffee. The chocolate flavors aren't just "evocative," they are spot on. Like semi-sweet morsels, and that flavor intensifies as the brew warms, and as the liquid passes along the palate. The sweetness of the lactose is pretty well balanced by the bitterness from the roast on the malts.

Medium bodied, creamy, smooth, and drinkable.

A good reminder that a stout doesn't have to be a booze bomb to bring the flavors.
Nov 20, 2021
Nitro Merlin from Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 503 ratings