Velvet Glove | Iron Fist Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Iron Fist Brewing Company
California, United States | website
Style: American Double / Imperial Stout
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 9.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by Sideswipe on 01-15-2011
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 101 | Ratings: 344
2.2/5 rDev -44%
I let this beer age in my cellar for about 6 months. Something was really off with this beer. A sourness in there. Maybe infected? Not sure, but it was one of the worst imperial stouts I've ever had. No woder it was way cheaper than most other options (I think I paid $6.99 for a big bottle). I had about 4 oz tops and had to drainpour the rest.
★ 351 characters
I let this beer age in my cellar for about 6 months. Something was really off with this beer. A sourness in there. Maybe infected? Not sure, but it was one of the worst imperial stouts I've ever had. No woder it was way cheaper than most other options (I think I paid $6.99 for a big bottle). I had about 4 oz tops and had to drainpour the rest.
★ 351 characters
2.65/5 rDev -32.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2
Pours an inky abysmal black with a good amount considering the ABV) of tan head around the rim and a thin layer over the top. Some soapy bubbles stick to the glass. The first thing I notice is a weird CO2 smell. Maybe it's not CO2, but it definitely smells like a gas or something similar. Dark chocolate and thick caramel are in there somewhere. Milk chocolate sums the taste up well. It's chocolatey and smooth. Some nuttiness, easily drinkable. Hints of vanilla. Lingering bitterness is mild, especially considering the ABV. Smooth and creamy, the mouthfeel is flirting with watery. Dry finish.
This was one weird beer. It was borderline watery and didn't show its ABV at all. very chocolatey without any alcohol burn. This is all fine, but the gassy smell really put me off. Hopefully I had a bad batch because it's really distracting.
★ 840 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2
Pours an inky abysmal black with a good amount considering the ABV) of tan head around the rim and a thin layer over the top. Some soapy bubbles stick to the glass. The first thing I notice is a weird CO2 smell. Maybe it's not CO2, but it definitely smells like a gas or something similar. Dark chocolate and thick caramel are in there somewhere. Milk chocolate sums the taste up well. It's chocolatey and smooth. Some nuttiness, easily drinkable. Hints of vanilla. Lingering bitterness is mild, especially considering the ABV. Smooth and creamy, the mouthfeel is flirting with watery. Dry finish.
This was one weird beer. It was borderline watery and didn't show its ABV at all. very chocolatey without any alcohol burn. This is all fine, but the gassy smell really put me off. Hopefully I had a bad batch because it's really distracting.
★ 840 characters
2.71/5 rDev -31%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5
Bottle, thanks Mark. Pours black with a decent amount of carbonation and a medium head. Nose is metal, sour malts, light roast, char. Flavor opens with a toasted malt and erupts with a very abrasive tinny quality that comes across as medicinal and sour. Window cleaner and metal on the finish. Obviously, not good. I don't know if this particular bottle had a problem or if this beer is grossly over rated.
★ 406 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5
Bottle, thanks Mark. Pours black with a decent amount of carbonation and a medium head. Nose is metal, sour malts, light roast, char. Flavor opens with a toasted malt and erupts with a very abrasive tinny quality that comes across as medicinal and sour. Window cleaner and metal on the finish. Obviously, not good. I don't know if this particular bottle had a problem or if this beer is grossly over rated.
★ 406 characters
2.73/5 rDev -30.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
Poured from a 750 ml bottle into a tasting glass.
A: Opaque black color with less than one finger of beige foam head. Scant lacing remains on the glass.
S: Spirituous chocolate liqueur exhibits malt in a very refined state. Dark fruit is also featured prominently, with a vinous quality suggestive of earthy Merlot.
T: Begins sweet, with early fruit that is dark but over-ripe and even cheesy. Acidity is intermediate in intensity but brief in duration, as husky roasted malt emerges into the middle along with vitamin-tincture minerality. Roast turns to burnt malt toward the finish, which ends with a boozy, drying, and scorched bitter pall.
M: Medium to thick viscosity, syrupy on the palate, with medium carbonation.
D/O: This imperial stout represents a clumsy attempt at the style, effectively cultivating a handful of appropriate qualities but then utterly failing in the effort to weave them together. Dark grain goes overboard, leaving the palate a scorched wasteland where burnt flavors linger cloyingly. The smell is pleasant by comparison, with chocolate and booze featured in decadent, dessert-like combination.
★ 1,129 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
Poured from a 750 ml bottle into a tasting glass.
A: Opaque black color with less than one finger of beige foam head. Scant lacing remains on the glass.
S: Spirituous chocolate liqueur exhibits malt in a very refined state. Dark fruit is also featured prominently, with a vinous quality suggestive of earthy Merlot.
T: Begins sweet, with early fruit that is dark but over-ripe and even cheesy. Acidity is intermediate in intensity but brief in duration, as husky roasted malt emerges into the middle along with vitamin-tincture minerality. Roast turns to burnt malt toward the finish, which ends with a boozy, drying, and scorched bitter pall.
M: Medium to thick viscosity, syrupy on the palate, with medium carbonation.
D/O: This imperial stout represents a clumsy attempt at the style, effectively cultivating a handful of appropriate qualities but then utterly failing in the effort to weave them together. Dark grain goes overboard, leaving the palate a scorched wasteland where burnt flavors linger cloyingly. The smell is pleasant by comparison, with chocolate and booze featured in decadent, dessert-like combination.
★ 1,129 characters
3.08/5 rDev -21.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
On tap at Brew-ligion.
thick black. Very smooth mouthfeel. Some roasty notes. Not a ton of chocolate or coffee notes. Maybe some cocoa on the finish. Espresso aroma becomes more apparent as the beer warms. Overall a very easy to drink beer that I recommend for stout fans. The 9% is well hidden.
★ 296 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
On tap at Brew-ligion.
thick black. Very smooth mouthfeel. Some roasty notes. Not a ton of chocolate or coffee notes. Maybe some cocoa on the finish. Espresso aroma becomes more apparent as the beer warms. Overall a very easy to drink beer that I recommend for stout fans. The 9% is well hidden.
★ 296 characters
3.23/5 rDev -17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
My wife picked up this bomber at Holiday Wine Cellar in Escondido, CA, to serve at our tasting last night. Poured a dark brown color with a small lingering brown head. Aromas of black licorice, roasted malt, chocolate and light vanilla. On the palate, this one was medium bodied and smooth, with flavors of roasted malt, currants and chocolate. Not bad, but a huge disappointment at its price point ($11/750).
★ 409 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
My wife picked up this bomber at Holiday Wine Cellar in Escondido, CA, to serve at our tasting last night. Poured a dark brown color with a small lingering brown head. Aromas of black licorice, roasted malt, chocolate and light vanilla. On the palate, this one was medium bodied and smooth, with flavors of roasted malt, currants and chocolate. Not bad, but a huge disappointment at its price point ($11/750).
★ 409 characters
3.26/5 rDev -17%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Poured into a perfect pint.
2.0 A: Black color. Aggressive pour gave just a touch of head that didn't last long.
3.5 S: This one has a strong cherry vibe going on. Chocolate covered cherries to be exact. Formitable roastiness, notes of coffee, molasses, and caramel. Smells like a prototypical stout except for the emphasis on cherry and chocolate. There's also some mineral aroma in this, like in an English stout.
3.25 T: Taste is much like the nose. Chocolate and cherry are the focus with coffee, molasses, caramel, and rich neutral maltiness. Moderate roastiness with a light acridity. Overall, not bad, but nothing special.
3.5 M: Heavier body. Carbonation is far too low. Otherwise, this has a very nice velvety viscousness to it. With proper carbonation, this could easily be a 5.0 here.
3.25 D: Decent attempt. With more carbonation, I could see this being a pretty good beer. However, this is too pricey at $10 for the 750ml.
★ 940 characters
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Poured into a perfect pint.
2.0 A: Black color. Aggressive pour gave just a touch of head that didn't last long.
3.5 S: This one has a strong cherry vibe going on. Chocolate covered cherries to be exact. Formitable roastiness, notes of coffee, molasses, and caramel. Smells like a prototypical stout except for the emphasis on cherry and chocolate. There's also some mineral aroma in this, like in an English stout.
3.25 T: Taste is much like the nose. Chocolate and cherry are the focus with coffee, molasses, caramel, and rich neutral maltiness. Moderate roastiness with a light acridity. Overall, not bad, but nothing special.
3.5 M: Heavier body. Carbonation is far too low. Otherwise, this has a very nice velvety viscousness to it. With proper carbonation, this could easily be a 5.0 here.
3.25 D: Decent attempt. With more carbonation, I could see this being a pretty good beer. However, this is too pricey at $10 for the 750ml.
★ 940 characters
3.36/5 rDev -14.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A - Very Dark, very small thin wisp of a ring head. No lace.
S - This is all about anise. Rootbeer, heavy. Some cocoa tries to pop through.
T - Anise, root beer, cocoa and cough syrup, the latter I didn't care much for at all. Small bitter in finish, but kinda cloying.
M - Low carb as expected on cask, medium body and not great balance.
D - Was happy to try.
★ 364 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A - Very Dark, very small thin wisp of a ring head. No lace.
S - This is all about anise. Rootbeer, heavy. Some cocoa tries to pop through.
T - Anise, root beer, cocoa and cough syrup, the latter I didn't care much for at all. Small bitter in finish, but kinda cloying.
M - Low carb as expected on cask, medium body and not great balance.
D - Was happy to try.
★ 364 characters
3.38/5 rDev -14%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured into my bruery tulip. Dark black with a one finger brown head, looks highly carbonated. Aroma is light, coffee and alcohol. Taste follows the nose, coffee,malts and alcohol. This is very sweet, definitely a sipper. The mouthfeel, makes you want to drink it faster because of how smooth it is but the sweetness slows you down, not a bad stout just not very complex. Leaves me feeling a bit indifferent. Would I drink it again? Yes. Would
I buy/stock up on this? No
★ 470 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured into my bruery tulip. Dark black with a one finger brown head, looks highly carbonated. Aroma is light, coffee and alcohol. Taste follows the nose, coffee,malts and alcohol. This is very sweet, definitely a sipper. The mouthfeel, makes you want to drink it faster because of how smooth it is but the sweetness slows you down, not a bad stout just not very complex. Leaves me feeling a bit indifferent. Would I drink it again? Yes. Would
I buy/stock up on this? No
★ 470 characters
3.42/5 rDev -13%
look: 1.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25
One of the last beers I have left beyond a few obvious aging candidates from San Diego last November. Opening as a celebratory brew.
A- Poured out of the 750ml bottle into a snifter with an appearance similar to spent motor oil. Super thick and oily and black as night. The bottle did let out a small hiss but I didn't think it would be this under-carbonated. No head, no bubbles, no legs, no lace, no sign of carbonation.
S- Fudgey and chocolatey with some underlying notes of a higher ABV fermented American Ale yeast, a bit of dark red fruits. Mostly dark, heavily roasted malts though.
T- Roasty and malty like the nose but the yeast gains some strength compared to the aroma. Rich dark roast grains, cocoa powder, toasted nutty and caramel malts atop a yeast fruit feel that gives the beer a bit of a cherry truffle hint without feeling artificial, it is a good thing.
MF- The lack of carbonation hits you immediately. Bubbles are here but at an almost minimum level. The body itself is very thick and has an oily, slick texture. Finishes with a tiny hint of alcohol warming and some roasty bitterness. (One thing must be said, the flavor allows the mouthfeel to be the way it is so I can't totally destroy it.)
The lack of carbonation hurts the appearance and mouthfeel a lot but the flavor is actually quite pleasant nonetheless and really not hurt by the carbonation level. Solid roast malts with some underlying yeast influence. When I am back in San Diego, I will give this another go.
★ 1,500 characters
look: 1.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25
One of the last beers I have left beyond a few obvious aging candidates from San Diego last November. Opening as a celebratory brew.
A- Poured out of the 750ml bottle into a snifter with an appearance similar to spent motor oil. Super thick and oily and black as night. The bottle did let out a small hiss but I didn't think it would be this under-carbonated. No head, no bubbles, no legs, no lace, no sign of carbonation.
S- Fudgey and chocolatey with some underlying notes of a higher ABV fermented American Ale yeast, a bit of dark red fruits. Mostly dark, heavily roasted malts though.
T- Roasty and malty like the nose but the yeast gains some strength compared to the aroma. Rich dark roast grains, cocoa powder, toasted nutty and caramel malts atop a yeast fruit feel that gives the beer a bit of a cherry truffle hint without feeling artificial, it is a good thing.
MF- The lack of carbonation hits you immediately. Bubbles are here but at an almost minimum level. The body itself is very thick and has an oily, slick texture. Finishes with a tiny hint of alcohol warming and some roasty bitterness. (One thing must be said, the flavor allows the mouthfeel to be the way it is so I can't totally destroy it.)
The lack of carbonation hurts the appearance and mouthfeel a lot but the flavor is actually quite pleasant nonetheless and really not hurt by the carbonation level. Solid roast malts with some underlying yeast influence. When I am back in San Diego, I will give this another go.
★ 1,500 characters
3.52/5 rDev -10.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A: pours black with a finger of tan head that fades into a thin ring with no lacing.
S: lots of roasted malts with sweet cocoa notes. Some peat and char notes toward the finish.
T: lots of roasted malts with semi-sweet chocolate, smoke, chqr, and peat. The finish is slightly bitter with no alcohol burn.
M: thick body with medium carbonation, this beer isn't creamy, but is nicely carbonated.
O: a decent stout overall, though it doesn't stand out from the crowd much.
★ 473 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A: pours black with a finger of tan head that fades into a thin ring with no lacing.
S: lots of roasted malts with sweet cocoa notes. Some peat and char notes toward the finish.
T: lots of roasted malts with semi-sweet chocolate, smoke, chqr, and peat. The finish is slightly bitter with no alcohol burn.
M: thick body with medium carbonation, this beer isn't creamy, but is nicely carbonated.
O: a decent stout overall, though it doesn't stand out from the crowd much.
★ 473 characters
3.59/5 rDev -8.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
750ml bottle served in a snifter. Pours black with a dark khaki head that completely disappears in a few minutes. Dark fruit heavy with fig and raisin notes almost taking precedence over the roasted flavors. Dark malts come out more as it warms - espresso, char, and even a hint of smoke on the finish. A bit hot in terms of alcohol even considering the ABV. Flavors are nice, just a bit disjointed. I guess with the number of imperial stouts on the market my bar has been raised.
★ 480 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
750ml bottle served in a snifter. Pours black with a dark khaki head that completely disappears in a few minutes. Dark fruit heavy with fig and raisin notes almost taking precedence over the roasted flavors. Dark malts come out more as it warms - espresso, char, and even a hint of smoke on the finish. A bit hot in terms of alcohol even considering the ABV. Flavors are nice, just a bit disjointed. I guess with the number of imperial stouts on the market my bar has been raised.
★ 480 characters
3.64/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
I read a few reviews before trying this, and have to say I expected a little more, but can't say I was very surprised by the things I noticed.
A: black with thin edge head, seeming a little light on carbonation
S: probably the most surprising part versus reviews. I get very little overall, but I do get some sweet coffee and molasses, maybe some licorice.
T: first few sips (when a not cold), I mostly got molasses tastes. As it warmed I got more flavors, vanilla and that coffee from the nose. The transition to the end brings a little alcohol burn, bringing about the licorice notes I noticed in smell.
M: as others have stated, a bit watery for a stout
O: initial impressions before it warmed were lukewarm. They improved as the beer came to temperature. Still, overall I think it's at best an just-better-than-okay version of the style.
★ 842 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
I read a few reviews before trying this, and have to say I expected a little more, but can't say I was very surprised by the things I noticed.
A: black with thin edge head, seeming a little light on carbonation
S: probably the most surprising part versus reviews. I get very little overall, but I do get some sweet coffee and molasses, maybe some licorice.
T: first few sips (when a not cold), I mostly got molasses tastes. As it warmed I got more flavors, vanilla and that coffee from the nose. The transition to the end brings a little alcohol burn, bringing about the licorice notes I noticed in smell.
M: as others have stated, a bit watery for a stout
O: initial impressions before it warmed were lukewarm. They improved as the beer came to temperature. Still, overall I think it's at best an just-better-than-okay version of the style.
★ 842 characters
3.65/5 rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
750 poured into a New Belgium globe glass. The Velvet Glove pours a deep black with a slightly bubbly mocha cap of foam. Black even in the light, the cap is a bit short lived but resurrects itself with a quick spin.
Nose is rich through the foam, becoming a bit more still as the cap settles between agitation. Some dark chocolate and bit of roast as well as a still darkness and a faint hint of ethanol.
Taste follows with similar light roast and coffee notes and maybe a hint of deep cherry on the close. Pleasant coarseness on the finish rounds out the flavor profile. Overall a decent offering yet nothing exceptional, though does get more complex with warming, yet only to a degree. Solid yet 'simple' in a way.
★ 726 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
750 poured into a New Belgium globe glass. The Velvet Glove pours a deep black with a slightly bubbly mocha cap of foam. Black even in the light, the cap is a bit short lived but resurrects itself with a quick spin.
Nose is rich through the foam, becoming a bit more still as the cap settles between agitation. Some dark chocolate and bit of roast as well as a still darkness and a faint hint of ethanol.
Taste follows with similar light roast and coffee notes and maybe a hint of deep cherry on the close. Pleasant coarseness on the finish rounds out the flavor profile. Overall a decent offering yet nothing exceptional, though does get more complex with warming, yet only to a degree. Solid yet 'simple' in a way.
★ 726 characters
3.65/5 rDev -7.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from the bottle into a snifter glass.
A classic simple dark walnut black body, a bit of clarity held up to the light with a nice red edge to it also. Head is maybe a finger tall, but an interesting creamy mocha with a fascinating orange tinge to it. Neat looking, wish that head color could stick around, leaves a nice whispy top.
Nose is a little one dimensional and buried. Weak roasted grains, hints of flaky barley. Roast character doesn't travel that much, some hints of fruity esters might even be present too. Mellow charcoal to match. Not bad.
Boy on first sip, that mouthfeel is impressive. Full. Silky. Luscious and coating, but where's the character? Slight drying roasted grains. Hints of peanut butter and very light grains. Mellow finish, and a little bit fleeting on the swallow. Slight mellow fruit aftertase as well that's not very easy to distinguish.
Overall it's a real impressive feeling and silky brew, but with a palate that doesn't seem to be that exciting.
★ 992 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from the bottle into a snifter glass.
A classic simple dark walnut black body, a bit of clarity held up to the light with a nice red edge to it also. Head is maybe a finger tall, but an interesting creamy mocha with a fascinating orange tinge to it. Neat looking, wish that head color could stick around, leaves a nice whispy top.
Nose is a little one dimensional and buried. Weak roasted grains, hints of flaky barley. Roast character doesn't travel that much, some hints of fruity esters might even be present too. Mellow charcoal to match. Not bad.
Boy on first sip, that mouthfeel is impressive. Full. Silky. Luscious and coating, but where's the character? Slight drying roasted grains. Hints of peanut butter and very light grains. Mellow finish, and a little bit fleeting on the swallow. Slight mellow fruit aftertase as well that's not very easy to distinguish.
Overall it's a real impressive feeling and silky brew, but with a palate that doesn't seem to be that exciting.
★ 992 characters
3.67/5 rDev -6.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
750ml bottle poured into tulip 21/9/14
A nearly jet black, thin cola edge, three fingers of dark foam has great retention but somehow manages to leave no lace, kinda strange, I'd say it was a dirty glass but the foam stuck around time wise just not to the side of the glass
S coco powder, bakers chocolate, licorice, faint char, leafy, earthy notes, sour plum, maybe a mild infection setting in, not quite funk but a faint sour aspect is in the background and I don't think its intentional
T some sweetened coffee I didn't smell, chocolate syrup, prune, raisin, plum, still has a little sour thing going on, a hint off booze but well concealed for 9%
M fairly full and creams up from the bubbles, slick in the mouth but a little sticky on the lips, sour char lingers
O I feel like this one just stops short of something great, I'm guessing there's a mild infection but still leaves a decent beer behind just not one living up to its full potential
teetering between respectable and "off", I'm thinking this would score lower as time progresses, worth a try but I wouldn't go to far out of your way or sit on one if you already have one on hand
★ 1,158 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
750ml bottle poured into tulip 21/9/14
A nearly jet black, thin cola edge, three fingers of dark foam has great retention but somehow manages to leave no lace, kinda strange, I'd say it was a dirty glass but the foam stuck around time wise just not to the side of the glass
S coco powder, bakers chocolate, licorice, faint char, leafy, earthy notes, sour plum, maybe a mild infection setting in, not quite funk but a faint sour aspect is in the background and I don't think its intentional
T some sweetened coffee I didn't smell, chocolate syrup, prune, raisin, plum, still has a little sour thing going on, a hint off booze but well concealed for 9%
M fairly full and creams up from the bubbles, slick in the mouth but a little sticky on the lips, sour char lingers
O I feel like this one just stops short of something great, I'm guessing there's a mild infection but still leaves a decent beer behind just not one living up to its full potential
teetering between respectable and "off", I'm thinking this would score lower as time progresses, worth a try but I wouldn't go to far out of your way or sit on one if you already have one on hand
★ 1,158 characters
3.7/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
(750ml bottle from El Cerrito Market). Pours dark brown, almost black with a khaki head. Aroma has some nice chocolate, coffee notes and some dark pit fruit. Taste has a bit of a sour twang with some semi-sweetness and light roasty bitterness. Full bodied with slick, oily texture. Dry finish. Very good balance between sweetness and roast. Pretty nice stout!
★ 359 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
(750ml bottle from El Cerrito Market). Pours dark brown, almost black with a khaki head. Aroma has some nice chocolate, coffee notes and some dark pit fruit. Taste has a bit of a sour twang with some semi-sweetness and light roasty bitterness. Full bodied with slick, oily texture. Dry finish. Very good balance between sweetness and roast. Pretty nice stout!
★ 359 characters
3.73/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Consumed at Tony's Darts Away in Burbank, Ca on March 14th, 2011.
The beer appears black in the glass with no discernible highlights. In just a couple of minutes, a one-finger light tan head subsides to a crown that barely rings the edges of the glass.
Aroma is dark, roasted malts.
Flavor is surprisingly smooth for a beer of this ABV. Dark roasted malts up front on the palate, followed by a dash of sour cherry. A lingering coffee bitterness finishes things up. Oats not noted.
Mouthfeel is very smooth and slightly dry.
Stupidly drinkable but not delicious.
★ 567 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Consumed at Tony's Darts Away in Burbank, Ca on March 14th, 2011.
The beer appears black in the glass with no discernible highlights. In just a couple of minutes, a one-finger light tan head subsides to a crown that barely rings the edges of the glass.
Aroma is dark, roasted malts.
Flavor is surprisingly smooth for a beer of this ABV. Dark roasted malts up front on the palate, followed by a dash of sour cherry. A lingering coffee bitterness finishes things up. Oats not noted.
Mouthfeel is very smooth and slightly dry.
Stupidly drinkable but not delicious.
★ 567 characters
3.74/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
750 mL bottle poured into a snifter.
Appearance - Pours a viscous black. Small khaki head. Thin collar.
Smell - Whoa. Lots of red wine fruity aromas. Deep chocolate. Vanilla. Impressive.
Taste - The fruitiness is a little too strong. A bit oxidized. Chocolatey. Finishes with a bit of sherry.
Mouthfeel - Thick. A little chewy. Low carbonation.
Overall - Seems like a red wine barrel, but it's not. Just a little too strong on some of those flavors.
★ 456 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
750 mL bottle poured into a snifter.
Appearance - Pours a viscous black. Small khaki head. Thin collar.
Smell - Whoa. Lots of red wine fruity aromas. Deep chocolate. Vanilla. Impressive.
Taste - The fruitiness is a little too strong. A bit oxidized. Chocolatey. Finishes with a bit of sherry.
Mouthfeel - Thick. A little chewy. Low carbonation.
Overall - Seems like a red wine barrel, but it's not. Just a little too strong on some of those flavors.
★ 456 characters
3.74/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: Pours black, there isn’t even a hint of dark brown in the corners…very dense…head is thick and mocha colored…luscious, like a cloud floating on top…big bubbles supporting small bubbles, fantastic! (4/5)
Smell: Very chalky, oatmeal heavy for sure…roasted and toasted malts, dry chocolate, very mild coffee bitterness…a touch of alcohol heat when I stick my nose in there, this is a very malt driven brew…very deep and dark and sultry…(3.75/5)
Taste: Creamy, smooth, dry oatmeal right off the bat…roasted malts, light coffee bitterness, dry cacao nibs come roaring in next…very malt driven, much like the nose…I’m also getting a bit of astringent flavor, but it’s mild…not overly complex flavor, it really does start as it finishes: tons of oatmeal and roasted/toasted malts, cacao, coffee. Done…(3.75/5)
Mouthfeel: Medium body, it’s smooth and light on the palate, but has a complex chewiness that balances between easy drinking and a heavy hitter…carbonation is a little light, but does fluff up bringing roasted malts, light coffee bitterness and oatmeal dryness to the palate…it has a dry immediately after swallowing, then fades with rich, roasted/dry flavors…nice, but carbonation could be more…(3.5/5)
Overall: This is a really solid brew…it’s my first dip into the Iron Fist pool and I have to say its worth trying…the higher price tag ($10.99) may be a bit steep, but the flavor is solid and won’t disappoint…coffee, chocolate, and oatmeal are a nice combo and they’ve worked something nice here…not overly boozy in the drinking, this one beer is perfect for a night in with the wife while watching something on HGTV…if you’re like me…(3.75/5)
★ 1,728 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: Pours black, there isn’t even a hint of dark brown in the corners…very dense…head is thick and mocha colored…luscious, like a cloud floating on top…big bubbles supporting small bubbles, fantastic! (4/5)
Smell: Very chalky, oatmeal heavy for sure…roasted and toasted malts, dry chocolate, very mild coffee bitterness…a touch of alcohol heat when I stick my nose in there, this is a very malt driven brew…very deep and dark and sultry…(3.75/5)
Taste: Creamy, smooth, dry oatmeal right off the bat…roasted malts, light coffee bitterness, dry cacao nibs come roaring in next…very malt driven, much like the nose…I’m also getting a bit of astringent flavor, but it’s mild…not overly complex flavor, it really does start as it finishes: tons of oatmeal and roasted/toasted malts, cacao, coffee. Done…(3.75/5)
Mouthfeel: Medium body, it’s smooth and light on the palate, but has a complex chewiness that balances between easy drinking and a heavy hitter…carbonation is a little light, but does fluff up bringing roasted malts, light coffee bitterness and oatmeal dryness to the palate…it has a dry immediately after swallowing, then fades with rich, roasted/dry flavors…nice, but carbonation could be more…(3.5/5)
Overall: This is a really solid brew…it’s my first dip into the Iron Fist pool and I have to say its worth trying…the higher price tag ($10.99) may be a bit steep, but the flavor is solid and won’t disappoint…coffee, chocolate, and oatmeal are a nice combo and they’ve worked something nice here…not overly boozy in the drinking, this one beer is perfect for a night in with the wife while watching something on HGTV…if you’re like me…(3.75/5)
★ 1,728 characters
3.75/5 rDev -4.6%
375ml bottle served in a Spiegelau stout glass.
Pours a cocoa black color, deep mocha head.
Aroma is strong chocolate malt with hints of espresso.
Taste is very rich chocolate with a hint of coffee and alcohol. Very smooth. Finishes with black licorice.
Overall a smooth imperial stout.
★ 290 characters
375ml bottle served in a Spiegelau stout glass.
Pours a cocoa black color, deep mocha head.
Aroma is strong chocolate malt with hints of espresso.
Taste is very rich chocolate with a hint of coffee and alcohol. Very smooth. Finishes with black licorice.
Overall a smooth imperial stout.
★ 290 characters
3.82/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
750 ml capped bottle. no date
pours viscous and black like used motor oil. dark tan head, but it fades fast. nice aroma that builds as it warms - roast, a little booze. taste starts slightly sweet, then acidic dry aftertaste lingers. nice mouthfeel - thick and sticky, low carbonation. overall a decent imperial stout but not anywhere near the top of the style.
★ 369 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
750 ml capped bottle. no date
pours viscous and black like used motor oil. dark tan head, but it fades fast. nice aroma that builds as it warms - roast, a little booze. taste starts slightly sweet, then acidic dry aftertaste lingers. nice mouthfeel - thick and sticky, low carbonation. overall a decent imperial stout but not anywhere near the top of the style.
★ 369 characters
3.83/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 4
Brian, this one was quite curious. 750 mL bottle into a stemless wine glass.
Pour is black - deep, dark, light-absorbing black. After holding my glass up to the light, I can see some deep maroon highlights. There's a one-finger khaki head with some-staying power. Great lacing - this is a very pretty beer.
I took some time making my way through this bottle, and I felt that this beer's aroma changed every time I went to take a sip. In rough order, I noticed: chocolate, smoke, port wine, dark fruit and cherries. About halfway through the bottle, at which point it had warmed to near-room temperature, I detected a sharp fusel alcohol note. Honestly, it reminded me of vodka - I've never gotten that smell from a beer before.
Ashen, roasty malts dominate the taste. There is a distinct sour note, imparting a wine-like flavor. Some chocolate, too - very dark, very bitter chocolate. That bitterness is matched by a pronounced hop profile, and there's definitely a detectable hoppy note to this - quite bitter in the finish. Quite surprisingly, there's virtually no alcohol.
Mouthfeel is the weakest component of this beer. It's far, far too thin, and with so many flavors at work it's tough to have such a wan mouthfeel. A little undercarbonated, too.
Days after trying this beer, I'm still a little fascinated by it. It's certainly genre-bending, and I'm pretty sure I won't make an effort to seek it out. That said, it is at the very least an interesting experience.
★ 1,476 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 4
Brian, this one was quite curious. 750 mL bottle into a stemless wine glass.
Pour is black - deep, dark, light-absorbing black. After holding my glass up to the light, I can see some deep maroon highlights. There's a one-finger khaki head with some-staying power. Great lacing - this is a very pretty beer.
I took some time making my way through this bottle, and I felt that this beer's aroma changed every time I went to take a sip. In rough order, I noticed: chocolate, smoke, port wine, dark fruit and cherries. About halfway through the bottle, at which point it had warmed to near-room temperature, I detected a sharp fusel alcohol note. Honestly, it reminded me of vodka - I've never gotten that smell from a beer before.
Ashen, roasty malts dominate the taste. There is a distinct sour note, imparting a wine-like flavor. Some chocolate, too - very dark, very bitter chocolate. That bitterness is matched by a pronounced hop profile, and there's definitely a detectable hoppy note to this - quite bitter in the finish. Quite surprisingly, there's virtually no alcohol.
Mouthfeel is the weakest component of this beer. It's far, far too thin, and with so many flavors at work it's tough to have such a wan mouthfeel. A little undercarbonated, too.
Days after trying this beer, I'm still a little fascinated by it. It's certainly genre-bending, and I'm pretty sure I won't make an effort to seek it out. That said, it is at the very least an interesting experience.
★ 1,476 characters
3.87/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Picked up at the always wonderful Capone's.
A: Looks like quite a beast for an oatmeal stout. Very dark with a beige, tan head that develops a nice froth with a swirl of the glass.
S: Definitely has the great sweet and roasty notes of an oatmeal stout, but this also has great qualities of an imperial stout. The roast is definitive, with a good deal of bitterness and there happens to be a bit of sweetness as well. Sweet notes of vanilla and toffee with some deep and dark roasted malts. Very nice.
T: This is a very large oatmeal stout for sure. Great roasted malt followed by a sweet chocolate, caramel flavor. Has that great grainy quality of a sweet stout with much more roast. For a regular oatmeal stout this would be phenomenal, but for a beefed up one it is just a bit under the mark.
M: A bit chalky and thin. Lacks that oatmeal body.
O: I am very impressed with this beer. Another west coast oatmeal stout that goes to the top of my list.
★ 956 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Picked up at the always wonderful Capone's.
A: Looks like quite a beast for an oatmeal stout. Very dark with a beige, tan head that develops a nice froth with a swirl of the glass.
S: Definitely has the great sweet and roasty notes of an oatmeal stout, but this also has great qualities of an imperial stout. The roast is definitive, with a good deal of bitterness and there happens to be a bit of sweetness as well. Sweet notes of vanilla and toffee with some deep and dark roasted malts. Very nice.
T: This is a very large oatmeal stout for sure. Great roasted malt followed by a sweet chocolate, caramel flavor. Has that great grainy quality of a sweet stout with much more roast. For a regular oatmeal stout this would be phenomenal, but for a beefed up one it is just a bit under the mark.
M: A bit chalky and thin. Lacks that oatmeal body.
O: I am very impressed with this beer. Another west coast oatmeal stout that goes to the top of my list.
★ 956 characters
Velvet Glove from Iron Fist Brewing Company
3.93
out of 5
based on 344 ratings.
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 1
Instant foam everywhere, oh no looks infected! Finally settles down to a light headed black beer with no lacing or retention.
Smells like sour cherries and burnt rubber.
The taste is very astringent with a big burnt flavor and a long lingering medicinal rubber quality. Not good, tastes very off, and looking like a drain pour.
The mouthfeel is very thin and under carbonated for a beer that almost exploded at opening. Not much viscosity for a beer of this size.
Bad, just bad, I hope this an isolated problem with this bottle as its not even drinkable.
★ 558 characters