Firestone Walker Coconut Merlin Milk Stout

Review Date 3/27/2020 By John Staradumsky

           

Firestone Walker brewing company is highly regarded amongst beer enthusiasts, and has been for more than a few decades now. Founded in 1996, this California brewer has been elusive for me, but has been in my grasp from time to time. Back in the late 90s I drank their Pale Ale and Double Barrel Ale (an inventory of my beer fridges on 1/22/2000 lists a bottle of the latter). In may of 2019, I enjoyed a pint of Firestone Walker 805, a blonde ale, in Laughlin Nevada. These are really my only experiences with Firestone Walker beers, until today.

Today, you see, I am here to talk about Firestone Walker Coconut Merlin, a beer I ordered from the Craftshack online beer store. This is a milk stout brewed with coconut (obviously) and the first in the famous Merlin line that I have tried.

Firestone Walker says:

With an infusion of freshly toasted coconuts and a touch of seasonal sorcery, Brewmaster Matt "Merlin" Brynildson conjures up Coconut Merlin - a uniquely flavored brew for fall and winter.

The fresh coconut addition perfectly accentuates the beer’s roasty, nutty character. The lactose gives a rounded mouthfeel & suggestion of sweetness resulting in the perfect combination of flavors in this first-time release from Firestone Walker.

Firestone Walker Coconut Merlin has an alcohol content of 5.5% by volume with 23 IBUs. I paid $4.49 for a can from Craftshack and Total Wine in California sells it for $9.99 a six-pack. My can was packaged on 11/20/19.

Firestone Walker Coconut Merlin pours to a dark brownish black (not opaque) color with a thick creamy head and a comforting nose of milk chocolate and toasted coconut. Taking a sip, the beer is smooth and moderate in body with light milk chocolate and coconut not unlike a Mounds bar, though the flavors are less robust. Initially, the coconut does not pop as much as I would like, though as the beer warms more toasty coconut comes through. On the downside, and also as the beer warms, the thinness of the body becomes more apparent. Finally, it finishes balanced with a little more coconut coming forward.

Overall, a little disappointing. I have had much better beers similar in theme, and overall this is probably not one I would buy again.

Glad I tried it?  T

Would I rebuy it??

 

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled, Canned

(D)=Draft





 

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