The other day I woke up and wanted to make myself some coffee. I must admit I was not a coffee drinker until I started trying dark beers. The flavor profiles in Stouts and Porters prepared my taste buds which now appreciate the occasional hot cup of joe. At any rate, while I was preparing the coffee maker I remembered I had recently purchased a Coffee Porter that I had yet to open. Realizing that 9am is too early to start drinking beer, I anxiously waited for 11:30am to roll around (a reasonable time to enjoy a brew) before I got my coffee and beer fix simultaneously.
What a delight! I was really taken away the melody of flavor and how well the insertion of coffee paired so well with this beer. Known as a Baltic Porter this beer packs a punch, but is very drinkable. Brewed by many countries bordering the Baltic Sea, this style of beer has roots in English Brown Porters and influences from Imperial Russian Stouts. These two styles provide for an amazing balance of a roasted malty backbone while lending some nice alcoholic muscle. Without the addition of the coffee beans this brew would still be a knockout.
At first glance you observe a deep black hue and a compact tan head that dissipates very slowly. The aroma is pure intoxication. Definitely hints of coffee are at the forefront, but also a complexity of chocolate, dark roasted/burnt grains, some fruitiness, licorice, molasses, nuttiness, and minor caramel notes. The hops are only used to balance out the malt profile to which I did not get any hint they were even used. The dryness came from the burnt grains and coffee. If you have tried Flossmoor Station’s Pullman Brown Ale it has a similar body and taste.
This beer is extremely drinkable due to the smooth mouthfeel. There is just enough carbonation to keep it from being too heavy on the palate. If you enjoy the roasted qualities of a Black Lager, yet want to enjoy a full bodied Porter this beer is for you.
Prepare for the onslaught of flavor…
Might have to try this one! The A+ gives me the urge to do so!
I don’t drink coffee, but I haven’t met a coffee beer I didn’t like (there were a couple that were more “meh” than “wow”, but even those I liked okay).
And 9AM is too early to drink beer, but 11:30 is “a reasonable time”? One must remember, first, the old joke “if you drink before noon, you’re an alcoholic”, but then, second, the pragmatic response, “it’s always noon somewhere”.
Haha…thanks for the advice Russ. I’ll keep that in mind.
My dad and I both picked one up today. Good sipping during the snow storm!
Had this (again), pre-game Superbowl night. So good.
Have this in the frig waiting for the “reading club” guys to sample a really good beer. A couple are wine snobs. I hope for a couple conversions.
2 Brother’s re-released this beer (2012) as a part of their 15 year anniversary. I was able to acquire a bottle and almost 3 years later (last brewed in 2009) it still holds a high rating in my book. The coffee component is super smooth, yet blends with the roasted/burnt malts very well…enough to bring out an astringent bitterness. However, it is not stout-like. The mouthfeel lighter like a Porter and the finish has those classic coffee notes beneath the obvious coffee addition. The yeast lends a little to the body along with a slight fruitiness that plays well with a moderate grassy, earthy hop profile. One of the best coffee beers I’ve ever tasted.