Black Velvet Nitro Stout
AleSmith Brewing Company

RB transfer

Type: 12-oz. can
Reviewed as: Oatmeal Stout
Glass: Ball 16-oz. mason jar
Price: $1.67
From: Trader Joe’s in La Mesa, Calif.
Purchased: Dec. 31, 2020
Consumed: Jan. 10, 2021
Misc.: Canned on Nov. 6, 2020

Had Rachel pick me up one of these as it was the first time I’d seen it in stores. AleSmith’s website called it “This velvety, nitro-infused oatmeal stout abounds with notes of chocolate, coffee, and cream. Its smooth body and luscious finish make it eminently drinkable on any occasion.”

Poured a pittch-black color with four fingers of khaki tan rocky head. Calm setting underneath the head. Perfect foamy lacing. Almost perfect retention. (Sight - 4.75)

Smelled chocolate, black coffee, roasty malts, chocolate milk, nuts, mud slide mixed drink and caramel. (Smell - 4.25)

Taste wasn’t as good as the nose, but still solid. Got burnt black coffee, bitter dark chocolate, char wood, roasty malts, nuts, mud slide mixed drink and toasted caramel. (Taste - 4.00)

Full body. Creamy texture. Average-to-soft carbonation. Long, roasty finish. (Feel - 4.50)

This was excellent. Kind of surprised at how much I liked it. (Overall - 4.25)

4.21 | 94 | A-

Pours a dark brownish color with a significant head. The nose has very faint notes of roasted coffee. The flavor follows the nose but it is pretty bland. The mouthfeel isn't even terribly creamy, which is sort of a requirement for a nitro.

 

 

 

 

 

Served from the can in a Mickey Finn's shaker pint glass.

Something something little boy's smile. Look, I'm not creative, okay? Anyway, this stuff pours a deep midnight brown topped by a finger of light beige foam. The nose comprises dark roasted malts, coffee, and a twinge of anise. The taste brings in more of the same, though everything comes across as watered down a bit. The body is a light medium, with a nice nitrogenation and a subsequently smooth feel. Overall, a nice little stout, one whose nitro aspect allows for a rather high level of drinkability.

12oz can. Poured out an opaque, jet-black color with a huge, light brown head of pillowy foam. The head slowly receded to leave sheets of lace. It smelled of roasted oats, coffee, chocolate and toffee. Nice roasted coffee taste with chocolate, toffee and oatmeal.

 

 

 

 

Nitro can from ABV.

Black with a dense, gorgeous light brown head with good retention and lacing. The nose is a blend of light roast, light coffee, light chocolate, and some fruity oatmeal. The palate opens light but mildly sweet, a blend of creamy oatmeal, creamy nitro stout, some raisin and chocolate, a little dark honey. Thin caramel, mild roast. Mild brown sugar. Thin, creamy and a little watery on the palate. Oatmeal lingers in the finish. Decent.

 

I had to check the label to make sure I wasn't having a Guinness from a can. Very similar, though slightly better in appearance and feel. Purchased in 6pack of 12oz cans, dated Oct 30, 2020. It's more expensive, so I won't rush to buy again.