Firestone Walker Nitro Merlin (355ml)

A masterpiece milk stout that achieves a smooth and creamy head through nitrogen gas filling, making it endlessly drinkable.

"Great American Beer Festival 2021"
Bronze Medal Winner, Sweet Stout or Cream Stout Category

"European Beer Star 2021"
Silver Medal Winner, SWEET STOUT Category
　
“Nitro Merlin” is a classic milk stout that incorporates lactose into an oatmeal stout.

It is based on the limited-edition Velvet Merlin, which was previously released seasonally every autumn/winter. This beer has been brilliantly transformed into a milk stout and infused with nitrogen gas (note).

The name is a combination of "Nitro," meaning nitrogen in English, and "Merlin," the nickname given to brewmaster Matt Brynildson by co-founders Adam Firestone and David Walker.

According to Matt, he had previously experimented with making Velvet Merlin into a milk stout and also with nitrogen-filled versions, but this is the first time both have been combined.

He explained, "By adding lactose to Velvet Merlin, it's like adding cream to dark-roasted coffee. It perfectly balances the bitterness from the roasted malt and hops.

The result is an easy-drinking stout with a rich aroma and mellow sweetness.

And that taste can only be achieved with nitrogen gas filling.

”

After a beautiful show of cascading foam, a jet-black liquid peeks out from the glass, topped with a creamy off-white head.

The aroma offers roasted grains, subtle coffee, and chocolate, with a hint of lactose.

The flavor is a skillful blend of coffee, chocolate notes derived from roasted malt, and the sweetness of lactose, reminiscent of chocolate milk.

It has a relatively light body and a very creamy mouthfeel characteristic of nitrogen.

*This product is nitrogen-infused.

Pour vigorously into a large glass.

For instructions on how to pour properly, click here

Note) Typically, beer is pressurized with CO2 when kegged.

The technique of serving beer with nitrogen gas originally stemmed from an attempt to reproduce elements characteristic of traditional British pub culture and cask ale—such as a unique creamy foam, an extremely smooth mouthfeel that allows one to enjoy the beer's original flavor to the fullest, and mild carbonation—using nitrogen gas.

Matt Brynildson explains nitrogen gas filling as follows:

"Conditioning cask ale, which continues to ferment inside the barrel, is 'live beer' and requires meticulous attention.

In contrast, the nitrogen gas method involves adding and filling nitrogen when bottling beer that has finished fermenting, offering advantages such as a lower risk of contamination and stable quality.

To replicate the creamy head and smooth mouthfeel of cask ale, nitrogen gas filling is the optimal solution.

Beyond the taste, I want people to notice the cascade of bubbles that looks like a waterfall flowing downwards when poured into a glass.

Its beauty is sure to move you."

• ABV: 5.5%
• IBU: 27
• Category: Beer
• Ingredients: Malt, Hops
• Hops: -
• Brewery: Firestone Walker
• Style: Milk Stout
• Volume: 355ml
• Container: CAN