Black and Brew Coffee Stout

Brewer: Boston Beer Company

Style: Coffee Stout

ABV: 5.8%
IBU: 60
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle poured into an English pub glass

Pours a deep, dark brown (like so many others, not quite black). Seems totally opaque, but the edges of the glass betray an ever so faint ruby highlighting. A quarter inch of tan colored head dissipates quickly but leaves a then, persistent film with decent lacing for the style. Bitter, dark roasted coffee aroma, fainter than expected. Maybe a little of that green pepper that accompanies coffee sometimes.


Coffee flavor is much more intense than the nose. A good, dark roast. A mild astringency comes off as a quenching acidity. The body is very smooth and creamy, but a tad thin. The body and the 5.8% ABV make this a very (in my book, anyway) sessionable beer, something you don't often see in a good coffee stout. 


A new addition to the Sam Adams winter 12-pack, and a pity there's only two per case.

My score: 4/5

Beer Advocate: A-

Rate Beer: 91/100

Pintley: 

Old Rasputin

Brewer: North Coast Brewing Co.
Style: Russian Imperial Stout
ABV: 9%
IBU: 75
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle poured into an English pub glass

A finger of rocky, dark tank head sits on top of a dark, dark brown, nearly black beer with some faint red highlighting. Coffee and roasted malts dominate the nose, with a faint hop note in the background. The beer was poured at about 45 degrees, and the aroma intensifies as the beer warms.

The first thing that hits the tongue is black, dark roasted coffee. Plenty of dark malts and a touch of dark chocolate are right alongside. An earthy hop flavor follows, balancing the roast nicely and lingering on the tongue and roof of the mouth. Carbonation seems a little high, but it goes down smooth nonetheless. The 9% alcohol is well hidden.

This is a fantastic RIS, and a no-brainer at $8 a four-pack.

My score: 5/5
Beer Advocate: A
Rate Beer: 100/100
Pintley: 4/5

Redband Stout

Brewer: Great River Brewery

Style: Coffee Stout

ABV: 6%
IBU: 36
Serving Type: 20 oz. can poured into a Bohemian Pilsner glass

Pour is thick and opaque, nearly black with no highlights. Two fingers of brown head that quickly fade to a thin but persistent film. Minimal lacing. The aroma packs a wollop, falling somewhere between a dark roasted coffee and an iced mocha.

Almost tastes more like coffee than beer. The dark malts are there, but the coffee definitely plays center stage in this one. If there are hops here, they're well hidden; the bitterness tastes like it's all coming from the astringency of the espresso. Medium to heavy in body, though perhaps just a tad lighter than expected. The moderate carbonation really helps the strong aromatics come out.

It's good to see such a good coffee stout coming out of a local brewery, and not have to rely on super limited releases like Kentucky or Bourbon County Breakfast Stout. If they start barrel aging this stuff, I'll buy it by the case. If there's a criticism, it's that this is a beer that probably doesn't need to come in a 16 oz. can.

My score: 4/5

Beer Advocate: A

Rate Beer: 77/100

Pintley:

A brew pub since 2004, Great River Brewery began packaging out of Davenport, IA in May 2010, exclusively in 16 oz. cans.

Dark Truth Stout

Brewer: Boulevard Brewing Co.

Style: Imperial Stout

ABV: 9.7%

IBU: 60

Serving type: 12 oz. bottle poured into a snifter

Pours espresso dark with a finger of dark brown head that clings to the glass. Aroma is subdued at first, but strengthens as the glass empties and warms. Smells like dark roasted coffee and dark chocolate. Some roasted malt is also present.

Taste is also intensly roasted and toasted with semi-sweet chocolate. A touch smokey. Maybe some dried dark fruit. The chocolate turns milky by the end of the glass. Mouthfeel is very creamy, light in carbonation. A nice, heavy body. There's no burn of alcohol in the taste, but a noticeable, pleasent warmth in the chest and stomach.

This is a great entry from Boulevard's Smokestack Series. A definite sipper with a pleasent warmth to remind you of what you're drinking. I drizzled a few teaspoons of this over a slice of chocolate cake that had gone a little dry, and it did wonders for it.

My score: 5/5

Beer Advoacte: B+
Rate Beer: 97/100

Pintley: 3.9/5

The Poet Oatmeal Stout

Brewer: New Holland Brewing

Style: Oatmeal Stout

ABV: 5.2%
IBU:

Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle poured into an English pub glass

Dark brown with a finger of light brown head. Just a few hints of ruby highlighting with a bright light behind. An aroma like lightly roasted coffee with tons of cream, and a side of instant oatmeal.

Taste follows the nose with notes of coffee and toasted and roasted malts. A touch of bitter chocolate. Mouthfeel is medium-heavy, but not too heavy, and oh so creamy. Decent carbonation.

This is one of my go-to beers. Great flavors, not too heavy, and light enough in alcohol to drink a pair.

My score: 5/5

Beer Advocate: B+

Rate Beer: 94

Pintley: 3.7/5

Kentucky Breakfast Stout

Brewer: Founders Brewing Co.

Style: Imperial Stout

ABV: 11.2%

IBU: 70

Serving type: 12oz bottle

Ap: Dark, dark brown. Not black, but totally opaque. Head is dark tan/brown, slow to form and quickly fades to a thin ring around the glass.

Ar: Heavy notes of coffee and bourbon. Hints of chocolate.

T: Dark roasted coffee, bourbon. Strong flavors hide the bitterness. Little to no alcohol warmth.

M: Heavy body, but smooth as silk. Light in carbonation.

I: An incredible beer to be sipped like fine whiskey, or straight espresso (or both at once).

My score: 5/5

Beer Advocate: A+

Rate Beer: 100

Pintley: 4.6/5

Had to drive nearly half an hour to find this beer. People in Pekin must not know good beer, 'cause everywhere on my side of the river was fresh out. Definitely worth the trip.