Although I prefer wine over most adult beverages, I found this delightful draft outstanding. Admittedly, it surprised me since I don’t like Guinness. This dark, chocolate-colored stout tastes like really good dark chocolate with hints of espresso, yet it’s not too bitter. It’s so beautifully balanced, you don’t need savory or sweet dishes to enjoy it. It’s actually the Velvet Merlin Oatmeal Stout aged in 100 percent bourbon barrels. Notably, it won a gold medal at the Great American Brew Festival for barrel aged beers in 2010 and in 2011. It’s only available on tap at the Firestone Walker Brew Pubs in Paso Robles and Buellton, both of which feature a restaurant.
This article appears in May 17-24, 2012.