Firestone Walker Reveals Velvet Merkin 2014

Discussion in 'Beer Releases' started by BottleCaps80, Aug 28, 2014.

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  1. BottleCaps80

    BottleCaps80 Initiate (0) Jan 12, 2013 Iowa

    Paso Robles, CA: Firestone Walker Brewing Company’s Velvet Merkin barrel-aged oatmeal stout is set to make a curtain call with the release of the 2014 vintage starting on September 15.

    “We let our hair down with the 2014 Velvet Merkin and changed up the barrel mix a bit compared to previous vintages,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “Velvet Merkin has always had this signature milk chocolate character, but now the vanilla notes are more pronounced as well. We’re pretty stoked on this vintage.”

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    The 2014 Velvet Merkin was primarily aged in bourbon barrels from Elijah Craig and Woodford Reserve, along with a selection of Rittenhouse Rye whiskey barrels. The Elijah Craig and Woodford Reserve barrels imparted fine bourbon qualities, while the younger Rittenhouse Rye whiskey barrels provided subtle spiciness with an elevated vanilla character.

    The 2014 Velvet Merkin is a blend chosen from five separate batches brewed and barreled down at different times, with an average of one year spent in the barrel.

    “We had more Velvet Merkin barrels to choose from than ever before, so we were able to really fine tune the blend with complementary lots,” Brynildson said. “We moved into our new barrel cellar earlier this year, and our barrel-aged program is maturing. It’s helping us get the most out of each beer, and the 2014 Velvet Merkin is an example of that.”

    A total of 3,500 cases (22-ounce bottles; $16.99) were produced, with availability in select markets across the United States.

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    #1 BottleCaps80, Aug 28, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 28, 2014
    Chrixsus, Cubatobaco, Ristaccia and 7 others like this.
  2. Dan_Inreallife

    Dan_Inreallife Initiate (0) Jan 22, 2012 Colorado

    Hell yes I cannot wait to grab this!
     
    #2 Dan_Inreallife, Aug 28, 2014
  3. rojapa

    rojapa Savant (1,100) Jun 26, 2013 New York

    Like Parabola, I will sadly not be able to find this when it hits NYC.
     
    #3 rojapa, Aug 28, 2014
  4. fatdeets

    fatdeets Initiate (0) May 19, 2014 Illinois

    I have problems locating bottles as well, but almost always am able to find it on draft.

    EDIT: to clarify I'm referring to their limited release stuff (anniversary, stickee monkee, etc...)
     
    #4 fatdeets, Aug 28, 2014
  5. HuskyHawk

    HuskyHawk Initiate (0) Jun 5, 2014 Massachusetts

    Is there a way to know exactly when it hits? I always miss the window with Parabola.
     
    #5 HuskyHawk, Aug 28, 2014
  6. fatdeets

    fatdeets Initiate (0) May 19, 2014 Illinois

    twitter feeds for my local liquor stores are my best bet, but I can't always just walk away from work. It's almost worse knowing that it's being released but will be gone by the time you can get over there.
     
    #6 fatdeets, Aug 28, 2014
    SteveB24, rather, rojapa and 1 other person like this.
  7. johnjohnbeer

    johnjohnbeer Initiate (0) Oct 27, 2012 Ohio

    ISO!
     
    #7 johnjohnbeer, Aug 28, 2014
  8. KevSal

    KevSal Pooh-Bah (2,940) Oct 17, 2010 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    we need more pappy merkin!

    but ill take this too :grinning:
     
    #8 KevSal, Aug 28, 2014
  9. CraftFan5

    CraftFan5 Pooh-Bah (2,264) May 14, 2013 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    You can get it, you just have to be quick or have deep pockets. Beer Table in Grand Central got in a half case (6-bottles), and they lasted for at least 2 weeks. I didn't buy it because I refused to pay $30 for it.
     
    #9 CraftFan5, Aug 28, 2014
  10. cherche

    cherche Pooh-Bah (2,476) Mar 27, 2013 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    FW is my favorite brewery in the world probably but 2013 Velvet Merkin was the most underwhelmed I have been by their one of their beers...
     
    #10 cherche, Aug 28, 2014
    Bonsall_Phil, FarmerTed, swolepeer and 5 others like this.
  11. Circles413

    Circles413 Crusader (495) Feb 4, 2014 Illinois
    Trader

    $30!?!?! That's insane! I believe I paid around $15 for VM last year.
     
    #11 Circles413, Aug 28, 2014
  12. ChanChan

    ChanChan Maven (1,341) Dec 12, 2009 California

    Whats the ABV this time?
     
    #12 ChanChan, Aug 28, 2014
  13. Kurmaraja

    Kurmaraja Initiate (0) May 21, 2013 California
    Trader

    As delicious as these are, they sit on shelves in Washington, Oregon, California, etc. There are 42,000 bottles after all. Should be easy to trade for as is Parabola. I'm pretty sure there are still bottles of both from the last release on Washington shelves (along with Stickee Monkey, Double DBA, and Sucaba).

    So if folks - within reason in terms of numbers! - can't get it and really want it, message me. No way I'd pay $30. It's probably $17ish out here plus tax.
     
    #13 Kurmaraja, Aug 28, 2014
  14. SLOCruzin

    SLOCruzin Zealot (644) Sep 30, 2013 California
    Trader

    Last years vintage wasn't nearly as good as prior draft vintages. I'm hoping that this years blend will bring Merkin back to form.
     
    #14 SLOCruzin, Aug 28, 2014
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  15. Vogt52

    Vogt52 Initiate (0) May 25, 2014 Maryland

    I hope some makes it to Maryland
     
    #15 Vogt52, Aug 28, 2014
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  16. mj81

    mj81 Savant (1,084) Sep 11, 2013 New Jersey
    Trader

    This. I will say that it did get better with age but don't know if I'm inclined to drop $15 for a bottle this year.
     
    #16 mj81, Aug 28, 2014
  17. Jmitchell3

    Jmitchell3 Initiate (0) Apr 2, 2013 Arizona

    I really liked it last year. Really nice balance and 8.5% was refreshing (compared to the other 12+ percenters)!
     
    #17 Jmitchell3, Aug 28, 2014
    BottleCaps80 and breadwinner like this.
  18. Rav4pudge

    Rav4pudge Initiate (0) Apr 6, 2014 Massachusetts

    Never had but itching to try
     
    #18 Rav4pudge, Aug 28, 2014
  19. shnsajax

    shnsajax Initiate (0) Jul 2, 2013 Idaho

    Only had the 2013, but it has been my least favorite of the the series from FSW.
     
    #19 shnsajax, Aug 28, 2014
  20. rather

    rather Initiate (0) May 31, 2013 California

    ugh I know that feeling. last year bcbcs and bcbw arrived at the store at 930am and gone by 11am... luckily got plain ol bcbs atleast. I did consider taking the day off but need money to afford the beer xD
     
    #20 rather, Aug 28, 2014
    KevSal likes this.
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