Firestone Walker - Velvet Merkin

It's mostly because Parabola is so much more robust than Merkin. It doesn't help that the only times I've had Merkin was during FW nights that featured several beers including both Merkin and Parabola. Having them side by side, it's hard not to consider it the lesser of the two. Still good, but try to appreciate it for what it is.

 

I gotcha covered on this one

 

"Recently we were on Twitter and we stumbled across a picture Brewmaster Matt Brynildson posted on May.17th of a bottle of PNC. In excitement we reached out to Firestone Walker via Twitter and the word is yes they will bottle 450 cases but it will not be distributed and will go to publican bars that helped make it."

What are these so called publican bars? I'm guessing they are local bars or are they bars that have had FW limited stuff on tap before? I'm wondering about this since I don't know if I should be on the lookout locally for them or not. A google search didn't really help me either.

 

Funny that you should ask this in a Velvet Merkin thread - the answer is at the end of the Velvet Merkin thread in the Pacific forum:
http://beeradvocate.com/community/t...velvet-merkin-in-bottles.107038/#post-1585505

 

I only know of bottleworks/brouwers and both toronado locations having PNC

 

Love the name. I use it when a playing partner takes a large divot while golfing. "Nice merkin".

 

So, I went on a beer run and got to the store with only like 30 minutes left (not a lot of time since I didn't go for anything in particular). As I was purchasing, I asked if they were going to be getting some Velvet Merkin in and the guy said I was the first one to ask about it, but then proceeded to ask for my ID. So, I go for my wallet again and as I pull out my card, I tell him, "You really need to see my ID, right after I asked about Velvet Merkin?" I always get carded and usually have my card out with my money, but it was funny this time. Afterwards, we had a laugh and a short conversation about FW and some beers I had had recently at Max's Hop Fest.

 

Anyone there at Barrelworks or is everyone at Zwanze Day? ;-)

 

I went to Binny's (big chain) a couple days ago and they didn't have a clue about this beer. I'll go back on the 14th, they will prob have it in the system by then

 

Makin a trip to the brewery for this one. Does anyone know the bottle limit?

 

6 bottle limit. I have 6 in hand. $117 later.

 

No limit.

 

Went to my local "list" shop and the list for this one was a mile long. Not sure if I'll get one, but I know I was the first for FW 17!

 

Any Visalia area BA's around? I wonder if Howie's will be hosting a FW rep sometime soon....

 

Here's the tastings they had at the event:
Velvet Merkin
Luponic Distortion IPA
Dos Osos IPA
PNC Buckwheat Stout
Madagascar Vanilla Bean Robust Porter
Bretta Weiss
Sour Opal
Lil Opal
Barrel 66 (4 year old oak barrel aged DDBA)
Agrestic Ale (sour DBA)
Parabajava
Forbidden Fruit (pomegranate sour stout)

 

Any one know who signed the merkin posters? I only know 1 of the 3, walker.. can't make out the other 2.

 

Want a Mulligan for your Merkin?

 

Merkin event was alot of fun, good beers, good food pairings. The drive sucked (for me), but I did get to stop at Sante Adairius on the way home and they had bottles of Bernice!

 

How does the bottled version compare to past batches on tap? At its best Merkin is possibly my favorite FW beer

 

Such a great event and line-up. Not too crowded, great food pairings, great people. FW does it again.

Merkin is a little on the thin side compared to many of the big hitters but fills the gap. Stellar beer for what it is supposed to be. IMHO of course