Part of me loves the special variety packs. But part of me knows that it is a market-y sort of way to get people to re-try old favorites via a special. But that is a corner that new chasing beer geeks have painted themselves into. But in the case of the Winter Bundle from Firestone Walker, I did not think of either for a moment. I just opened the box and dove in. And I saved the Velvet Mocha Merlin for last.
This is the regular Merlin accented with an “infusion of Intelligentsia Coffee House aromas and cocoa dusted chocolate truffle flavors.” And I have to say that it is more on the side of the chocolate truffle. Which is weird because most Intelligentsia coffee, to me, is strong. Or if not strong, very uniquely flavored. But the aroma is cocoa powder. The taste is creamy and cocoa intermingled. Like a dark chocolate hot cocoa. I love the taste and I love the 5.5% ABV too. But I am not getting any coffee here. There is a bitterness at the back end of the beer but to me it is like biting into a dark chocolate bar. No roast notes here. But again, to reiterate, I really liked it. But if you are into the coffee beer scene, this one might puzzle you.