Velvet Merlin Oatmeal Stout
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

Velvet Merlin Oatmeal StoutVelvet Merlin Oatmeal Stout
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From:
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
Oatmeal Stout
Ranked #93
ABV:
5.5%
Score:
89
Ranked #10,527
Avg:
4 | pDev: 9.75%
Reviews:
709
Ratings:
3,131
Status:
Active
Rated:
Nov 30, 2023
Added:
Nov 13, 2008
Wants:
  248
Gots:
  641
A decadent oatmeal stout. Velvet Merlin offers robust cocoa and espresso aromas with subtle American hop nuances. Rich dark chocolate and roasted coffee flavor with a creamy mouth feel and wonderfully dry finish create the perfect balance in this full-bodied stout. Ideal for sipping in the winter months or at the end of a meal.

Original name was "Velvet Merkin", but name was changed when it began to be bottled in 2010.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfaqU30twwU&feature=youtube_gdata
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Ratings by DaverCS:
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Reviewed by DaverCS from Arizona

4.2/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured little to no head. Moderate carbonation. Not too much lacing.

I get a very nice nose on this beer. I get tons of roasted coffee and intense dark chocolate ... Almost like pure coco powder. Heavy malts also present on the nose.

Taste doesn't match the richness of the nose. The intensity of the flavor is pretty flat and watery. Up front I get carbonation and wateriness followed by mild malt, mild coffee, and mild chocolate. Touch of hops at the finish.

Overall not worth the time. Pretty watery and not too much flavor despite the deceiving nose. I would pair it with smoked brisket or a porcini mushroom rubbed hangar steak. I give it a 83.5/100
Jan 24, 2015
More User Ratings:
Photo of stevoj
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho

4/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12oz bottle from Boise Co-op. Nice mellow, woody aroma, superb smoky, chocolaty taste. Silky smooth body, sweet and smoky finish. All around great stout.
Nov 30, 2023
 
Rated: 3.94 by Dave2234 from Minnesota

Jun 03, 2021
 
Rated: 4.25 by hester7 from Texas

Mar 01, 2021
 
Rated: 4.38 by Sinister from New York

Feb 21, 2021
 
Rated: 4.04 by DucksFan16 from Tennessee

Sep 02, 2020
 
Rated: 4 by ryanf2192 from District of Columbia

Jun 09, 2020
 
Rated: 3.75 by RiceOwls27 from Texas

May 13, 2020
Photo of Act25
Reviewed by Act25 from New Jersey

4.23/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Now in cans. As fine a 5.5% velvety, flavorful Stout as can be found. Must blind test against Lefthand and the rest.
a) Massive lace over black body.
s/t) Enough roast to temper the sweet of chocolate, mocha, vanilla, prune. Some grass and hops also balance.
f) Velvet to core as good as any.
Feb 03, 2020
 
Rated: 4.19 by jmbeerdude91 from Arizona

Jan 05, 2020
Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois

4.09/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Bottled 10/6/15; drank 10/28/15 @ the Yarchives.

Brown/black/purple appearance.

A rough pour yielded a HUGE tan head (careful pouring!); strong lace.

Oatmeal, cream & peanut butter notes in the nose; inviting!

Creamy medium thick mouthfeel. Oats, cream & faint milk chocolate flavors up front; peanut butter notes on the finish.

An easy to drink, flavorful fall treat. I'd have another.
Nov 23, 2019
 
Rated: 4.21 by eluvah from New York

Aug 23, 2019
Photo of maddogruss
Reviewed by maddogruss from New Jersey

3.59/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
(nitro-tap)
A: pours dark body with reddish hues and a thick ear with good retention and lacing
S: subtle smelling beer, but not much to it
T: somewhat roasted toffee notes, but very light. Some roasted notes with a subtle, creamy, oaty aftertaste
M: medium bodied and pretty creamy; not too bad
O: ok mouthfeel and taste combo; ok overall, but nothing impressive.
Aug 09, 2019
Photo of mintzmeet
Reviewed by mintzmeet from Washington

3.55/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Nice nitro stout! Very creamy. Not a whole lot of flavor, but excellent texture. Smooth taste of lightly toasted grains. Incredible head, beautiful lacing.
Jul 06, 2019
 
Rated: 4.49 by sunnovgoat from California

Jun 28, 2019
Photo of DoctorZombies
Reviewed by DoctorZombies from Florida

4.26/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
2018 version. Pours black with ruby edges at 57 degrees; light tan cap; good retention; heavy ring, moderate lace; thin legs. Roast malt, bourbon, whiff of vanilla. Lite roast, chocolate, coffee. Medium body, moderate carbonation, no warmth. Drinks like a porter as it feels thin for an oatmeal stout; nicely balanced flavors, just wish it had more...
Jun 18, 2019
Photo of Oh_Dark_Star
Rated by Oh_Dark_Star from Washington

4.04/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Tasty but a bit weak and thin
May 03, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by dafla67 from Pennsylvania

May 01, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by Kolb from Montana

Apr 24, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by PaleAleWalt from New York

Mar 01, 2019
Velvet Merlin Oatmeal Stout from Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 89 out of 100 with 3131 ratings