Firestone Walker Velvet Merlin

From The Full Pint – This beer has shown its face at The Firestone Walker Tap Room, various beer bars in California, and in my case, at the tapas bar at Whole Foods Market Arroyo Pasadena.  As of this posting, the beer went from being known Velvet Merkin to Velvet Merlin, a politically correct modification in preparation of wider distribution and wider acceptance.

Firestone Walker – Velvet Merlin (aka Velvet Merkin) – 12 oz. glass poured on tap at Whole Foods Market Arroyo. 5.5% abv.

Appearance: Pours a midnight brown with a rich, tan creamy head.

Aroma: Light roast, semi-sweet chocolate notes and cereal grains.

Taste: Coffee, burnt roast, dark chocolate, rolled outs and a tad bit of barrel.

Mouthfeel: Silky with medium carbonation.

Overall: Balanced with a great taste and silky mouthfel, and looks beautiful in a glass.  I would have loved a larger nose, but beggars can’t be choosers. I put this notches above Reserve Porter. I know they are different beers, but there are similarities. If someone had to pick between to rich, roasty yummy beers, I’d go with Velvet Merkin for sure.