 ClarkVV (3547), Allston, Massachusetts, USA
Nov 25, 2007
3-5 month old bottle from Shigadeyo, drunk on 11/2/07
Black body, with a medium-high clarity and a large, light-tan head showing moderate retention and light lacing.
Typical coffee stout aroma, and fortunately, it’s very aromatic. Vanilla, fresh beans, dry chocolate notes and tastefully light amounts of caramel collect at the edge of the nose. Light hop bitterness invigorates the senses and pushes the coffee and malt flavors through to the finish. Some crispy popcorn-like notes nearly remind of diacetyl, but I dont think there is any here. Quite dry and with that papery, beany note that is inevitable in coffee stouts. Hop resins persist on the end, but the smooth choco-vanilla malts do not peter out. No alcohol noted, medium-high to high strength of aroma.
Very soft, but high levels of carbonation lend a creamy-fluffy feel to the body, as light chocolate fudge braces the palate for a big dose of roasty coffee and strong vanilla flavors. It slowly dries the palate, with help from hop bitterness and slightly astringent black malts. Caramel sweetness perks up as it warms and breathes, and light looseness in the body is exposed as well. No alcohol noted and quite drinkable. Perhaps a little less caramel sweetness and more interplay between vinousness and coffee would help. I don’t see the need for this much pine and citrus bitterness either.
NachlamSie (1309), Tennessee, USA
Jun 24, 2008 Bottle. Pours pretty darn dark with a respectable tan head. I enjoy the coffee presence in the aroma: solidly roasty, sharp, and well defined. Some ashtray notes and slightly sour cream ar noted as well. The mouthfeel is slightly prickly and of pretty average density. The coffee carries over well into the flavor, distinct, genuine, and sharp. There is a faint creamy sweetness and a touch of mocha and something just a bit sour in the finish. I really enjoy drinking this beer. I can’t say it’s the best coffe stout I’ve ever had, but I can drink a lot of these and have no qualms with it.
phishpond417 (1162), Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA
Jun 11, 2008 This is a palate destroyer, so make sure you rinses thoroughly after trying this one. Pours a dark brown body with a semi watery body. medium sized head with a pleasent lightly roasted coffee aroma. Mouthfeel is semi dry but also very light. Starts off sweet and burnt tasting, and ends with a lingering finish of cocoa.
Taverner (417), San Ramon, California, USA
Jun 5, 2008 Smell is coffee - but almost a sour note in the background. Flavor is pale and non-impressive. Just like drinking a weak coffee at Dennys.
fiver29 (257), Strongsville, Ohio, USA
May 19, 2008 Bottle pours black with a tan head. Smells like mocha coffee. Has a silky medium mouthfeel. Taste is coffee, chocolate, some alcohol, and has a nice roasted malt finish. Overall this is a nice brew for the style.
ElJefe (506), Rochester, New York, USA
May 18, 2008 Pours pitch black with a thin light brown head. Lots of dark roasted coffee on the nose. A lot of coffee flavor upfront, with a twangy lactose quality, and a hit of cocoa in the finish. Slick mouthfeel. Rich and full flavored, but not so overwhelming that I couldn’t put down a few pints. Wow, a sessionable coffee stout? Nicely done!
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