How Merlot Can You Go?
Drake's Brewing Co.

I do not know why this beer is listed as retired because I just had it at Drake's Barrel Room; $7 for a 7 ounce tulip. Color is similar to dirty motor oil, thick, dark, and viscous looking. Nose is a little sour and winey. Faint chocolate sweetness that quickly fades to a tangy sour finish. There is very little imperial stout left in this presentation, the merlot wine barrels dominate from start to finish. Nice experiment but maybe less time in the barrel or blending this back in with a non barrel aged imperial stout would be more interesting.

 

 

 

A - Dark black with a hint of red mixed in and a thin covering of reddish-tan head. The head faded fairly quickly leaving behind some nice lacing in the process.

S - The aroma is a mix of deep roasted caramel malts and lots of Merlot grape aroma. The aroma is quite sweet.

T - Starts off with lots of Merlot grape flavor with the roasted caramel malts coming in just after. Through the middle, the flavors start to balance themselves out a bit better. The finish is a mix of sweet Merlot grapes and roasted caramel malts with just a bit of booze.

M - Medium-full bodied with moderate-low carbonation. Smooth and syrupy. The finish is a mix of sweetness and booze that lingers for quite a bit.

D - Pretty drinkable. A bit more of a sipper. The Merlot grapes are a bit strong, but overall work extremely well with the Imperial Stout base.