Coconut Merlin
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- English Sweet / Milk Stout
Ranked #349 - ABV:
- 5.5%
- Score:
- 89
Ranked #10,743 - Avg:
- 3.98 | pDev: 6.03%
- Reviews:
- 30
- Ratings:
- From:
- Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating
- Wants
- 2
- Gots
- 2
SCORE
89
Very Good
89
Very Good
Notes:
With an infusion of freshly toasted coconuts and a touch of seasonal sorcery, Brewmaster Matt "Merlin" Brynildson conjures up Coconut Merlin - a uniquely flavored brew for fall and winter.
The fresh coconut addition perfectly accentuates the beer’s roasty, nutty character. The lactose gives a rounded mouthfeel & suggestion of sweetness resulting in the perfect combination of flavors in this first-time release from Firestone Walker.
The fresh coconut addition perfectly accentuates the beer’s roasty, nutty character. The lactose gives a rounded mouthfeel & suggestion of sweetness resulting in the perfect combination of flavors in this first-time release from Firestone Walker.
Reviews: 30
| Ratings: 80
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Reviews by bubseymour:
4.64/5 rDev +16.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
More User Reviews:
4.24/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
12oz can. Canned on date is '10/01/19'.
Deep brown colored body. Thin finger of beige colored head. Leaves extensive pattern of lacing spots.
Aroma of darker roasted malts, with a hint of campfire smoke. Sweeter lactose. Just a bit of roasted coconut.
Taste is roasted malts, with chocolate and some coffee at the end. The coconut adds a little bit, along with the lactose.
Thicker mouth feel, with a very smooth texture. Very good carbonation.
This is not a bitter beer but the malts are toasty and roasty, with a cola like edge. The coconut is present but not prominent, and overall blends to tone down the lactose sweetness. The coconut flavor is natural, and has a slight toasty edge to it. Quite a tasty milk stout.
720 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
12oz can. Canned on date is '10/01/19'.
Deep brown colored body. Thin finger of beige colored head. Leaves extensive pattern of lacing spots.
Aroma of darker roasted malts, with a hint of campfire smoke. Sweeter lactose. Just a bit of roasted coconut.
Taste is roasted malts, with chocolate and some coffee at the end. The coconut adds a little bit, along with the lactose.
Thicker mouth feel, with a very smooth texture. Very good carbonation.
This is not a bitter beer but the malts are toasty and roasty, with a cola like edge. The coconut is present but not prominent, and overall blends to tone down the lactose sweetness. The coconut flavor is natural, and has a slight toasty edge to it. Quite a tasty milk stout.
720 characters
3.98/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark mahogany brown, appearing opaque in the glass with a thin khaki head that dissipates to a thin film with light lacing. Aroma of dark toasted malt, lactose, vanilla, light cocoa and coconut. Flavor is dark toasted malt, cocoa, light coffee with lactose and coconut developing into a light cocoa and coconut finish. Medium bodied with sharp, peppery carbonation, which was a bit surprising from the mild pour. A mellow and unassuming stout base, appropriate for a light milk stout. The coconut is also light, so is in balance and well supported by the malt. Seems a little lighter than Merlin. Not too exciting, but good flavor profile and a deft touch with the coconut.
723 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark mahogany brown, appearing opaque in the glass with a thin khaki head that dissipates to a thin film with light lacing. Aroma of dark toasted malt, lactose, vanilla, light cocoa and coconut. Flavor is dark toasted malt, cocoa, light coffee with lactose and coconut developing into a light cocoa and coconut finish. Medium bodied with sharp, peppery carbonation, which was a bit surprising from the mild pour. A mellow and unassuming stout base, appropriate for a light milk stout. The coconut is also light, so is in balance and well supported by the malt. Seems a little lighter than Merlin. Not too exciting, but good flavor profile and a deft touch with the coconut.
723 characters
3.94/5 rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap. Poured out an opaque, jet-black color with a small, khaki-colored head of foam. It smelled of lightly toasted coconut, chocolate and toffee. Sweet chocolate and subtle coconut taste.
190 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap. Poured out an opaque, jet-black color with a small, khaki-colored head of foam. It smelled of lightly toasted coconut, chocolate and toffee. Sweet chocolate and subtle coconut taste.
190 characters
3.62/5 rDev -9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
4.01/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
4.09/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Firestone Walker Brewing Co. "Coconut Merlin"
12 fl. oz. can, "CANNED ON 09/13/19"
$1.99 @ Total Wine & More, Cherry Hill, NJ
Notes via stream of consciousness: OK, a coconut milk stout - how can that be a bad thing? It's a clear, dark mahogany as you pour it but it appears black in the full glass. When held to the light ruby highlights appear within the dark mahogany brown, and an orange glimmer is visible at the base of the glass. The head is a two inch cap of rocky tan foam. In the nose you'll find dark chocolate and an edge of roastiness but no coconut, that comes out in the flavor. It's not particularly strong there either but it's clear, and it helps to soften a surprisingly strong edge of roastiness. I can also taste, or sense, the lactose as I'm quite sensitive to it. It bothers me but most people should have no problem. Beyond that, the dark bittersweet chocolate found in the nose is present, and just a dusting of softer cocoa powder and a light bit of golden caramel. It's not that bitter but the roastiness helps it to finish dry. In the mouth it's medium bodied but it seems a little fuller due to the lactose, and it is certainly smooth. In the end it's good, but it's not great, which is interesting because the "Nitro Merlin" IS great, although I'm not sure if it's even the same base beer.
Review #6,777
1,334 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Firestone Walker Brewing Co. "Coconut Merlin"
12 fl. oz. can, "CANNED ON 09/13/19"
$1.99 @ Total Wine & More, Cherry Hill, NJ
Notes via stream of consciousness: OK, a coconut milk stout - how can that be a bad thing? It's a clear, dark mahogany as you pour it but it appears black in the full glass. When held to the light ruby highlights appear within the dark mahogany brown, and an orange glimmer is visible at the base of the glass. The head is a two inch cap of rocky tan foam. In the nose you'll find dark chocolate and an edge of roastiness but no coconut, that comes out in the flavor. It's not particularly strong there either but it's clear, and it helps to soften a surprisingly strong edge of roastiness. I can also taste, or sense, the lactose as I'm quite sensitive to it. It bothers me but most people should have no problem. Beyond that, the dark bittersweet chocolate found in the nose is present, and just a dusting of softer cocoa powder and a light bit of golden caramel. It's not that bitter but the roastiness helps it to finish dry. In the mouth it's medium bodied but it seems a little fuller due to the lactose, and it is certainly smooth. In the end it's good, but it's not great, which is interesting because the "Nitro Merlin" IS great, although I'm not sure if it's even the same base beer.
Review #6,777
1,334 characters
3.6/5 rDev -9.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Coconut? Where? Not here....A good solid Porter, but the coconut is not present. A strange bitter ending, as well. On tap at Industry Public House Robinson watching PSU football.
178 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Coconut? Where? Not here....A good solid Porter, but the coconut is not present. A strange bitter ending, as well. On tap at Industry Public House Robinson watching PSU football.
178 characters
3.79/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
A: The beer is jet black when viewed from afar and has traces of dark brown near the edges of the glass when it is held up to a bright light. It poured with a short tan head that died down but never completely faded away.
S: Light aromas of coconuts, dark malts, and lactose are present in the nose.
T: The taste follows the smell and has flavors of dark malts and lactose with hints of coconuts.
M: It feels medium-bodied and a little smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The coconuts in this stout won't blow you away, but it is a nice milk stout that has a little coconuts to add complexity in the smell and taste.
Serving type: can
662 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
A: The beer is jet black when viewed from afar and has traces of dark brown near the edges of the glass when it is held up to a bright light. It poured with a short tan head that died down but never completely faded away.
S: Light aromas of coconuts, dark malts, and lactose are present in the nose.
T: The taste follows the smell and has flavors of dark malts and lactose with hints of coconuts.
M: It feels medium-bodied and a little smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The coconuts in this stout won't blow you away, but it is a nice milk stout that has a little coconuts to add complexity in the smell and taste.
Serving type: can
662 characters
4/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Actually on the fence with this one to me whenever they incorporate coconut beers into the actual base you get either a suntan flavor or sugar bomb. Pour is as expected for the beer a deep dark looking beer with just a quarter inch of opaque off-white head lingering to a nice hefty ring. To me both taste and smell is kind of muddled it does have some good roast notes mild sweetness and just a touch of toasted coconut. This might be due to the fact that I just had I'm very intense imperial Stout. Not bad not great still worth picking up a decent variant.
559 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Actually on the fence with this one to me whenever they incorporate coconut beers into the actual base you get either a suntan flavor or sugar bomb. Pour is as expected for the beer a deep dark looking beer with just a quarter inch of opaque off-white head lingering to a nice hefty ring. To me both taste and smell is kind of muddled it does have some good roast notes mild sweetness and just a touch of toasted coconut. This might be due to the fact that I just had I'm very intense imperial Stout. Not bad not great still worth picking up a decent variant.
559 characters
3.88/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Easy drinking and very tasty. Poured in a pint glass the color is a dark brown. Great lacing along the way. The coconut is there but subtle. Must try
149 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Easy drinking and very tasty. Poured in a pint glass the color is a dark brown. Great lacing along the way. The coconut is there but subtle. Must try
149 characters
4.25/5 rDev +6.8%
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
4.04/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Poured from a can. Very dark and opaque with a brownish head that dissolves quickly. Smells of roasted malt and coconut. Flavor follows the smell, could use a hint more coconut. Overall its a solid beer
202 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Poured from a can. Very dark and opaque with a brownish head that dissolves quickly. Smells of roasted malt and coconut. Flavor follows the smell, could use a hint more coconut. Overall its a solid beer
202 characters
4.09/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Served on tap in a pint glass
Appearance – The beer is served a very deep brown, nearly black color with a billowy head of tan colored foam. The head has a great level of retention, slowly fading over time to leave rings of foamy lace on the sides of the glass.
Smell – The aroma of the brew is big of a roasted malt aroma, mixed with a rather strong showing of coconut. Along with these smells comes a little bit of a toast and a sweet and milky vanilla smell. Rather sweet and dessert like in nature.
Taste – The taste begins with a rather sweet roasted malt taste that has a good showing of vanilla and coconut right from the start. There is a good shot of cocoa upfront that fades slightly as the taste moves forward. Along with the cocoa fading a little bit so too does the vanilla as the taste advances. While so the sweetness is maintained as more coconut comes to the tongue. Along with a little bit of char and a surge of brown sugar sweetness coming to the tongue at the very end, one is left with a coconut and cocoa dessert like taste to linger on the tongue.
Mouthfeel – The body of the brew is creamy with a carbonation level that is on the lower side. For the rich dark, roasted, cocoa, and coconut creamy tastes the feel is great and makes for a nice slow sipping porter.
Overall – This is one tasty more dessert like brew. Big one sweet coconut and roasty flavor. Very nice!!
1,409 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Served on tap in a pint glass
Appearance – The beer is served a very deep brown, nearly black color with a billowy head of tan colored foam. The head has a great level of retention, slowly fading over time to leave rings of foamy lace on the sides of the glass.
Smell – The aroma of the brew is big of a roasted malt aroma, mixed with a rather strong showing of coconut. Along with these smells comes a little bit of a toast and a sweet and milky vanilla smell. Rather sweet and dessert like in nature.
Taste – The taste begins with a rather sweet roasted malt taste that has a good showing of vanilla and coconut right from the start. There is a good shot of cocoa upfront that fades slightly as the taste moves forward. Along with the cocoa fading a little bit so too does the vanilla as the taste advances. While so the sweetness is maintained as more coconut comes to the tongue. Along with a little bit of char and a surge of brown sugar sweetness coming to the tongue at the very end, one is left with a coconut and cocoa dessert like taste to linger on the tongue.
Mouthfeel – The body of the brew is creamy with a carbonation level that is on the lower side. For the rich dark, roasted, cocoa, and coconut creamy tastes the feel is great and makes for a nice slow sipping porter.
Overall – This is one tasty more dessert like brew. Big one sweet coconut and roasty flavor. Very nice!!
1,409 characters
3.83/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
3.42/5 rDev -14.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Canned 9/10/19; drank 10/27/19 @ the Yarchives.
Black appearance.
A violent pour yielded a HUGE khaki head; thick, frothy lace.
Fresh earth, mild chocolate syrup & faint cream notes in the nose.
Medium mouthfeel.
Cream, milk chocolate & faint fresh earth flavors; the coconut doesn't really pop and this is not the best.
Just OK.
341 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Canned 9/10/19; drank 10/27/19 @ the Yarchives.
Black appearance.
A violent pour yielded a HUGE khaki head; thick, frothy lace.
Fresh earth, mild chocolate syrup & faint cream notes in the nose.
Medium mouthfeel.
Cream, milk chocolate & faint fresh earth flavors; the coconut doesn't really pop and this is not the best.
Just OK.
341 characters
Coconut Merlin from Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
89 out of
100 with
80 ratings
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