Coffee Beer Week: Jah*va Imperial Coffee Stout

Coffee Beer WeekSouthern Tier Brewing, up in Lakewood, New York, brews a series of Imperial Stouts (their “Blackwater Series”) that, from what I’ve tasted so far, can best be described as “decadent.” At least two are brewed with coffee, and their Jah*va Imperial Coffee Stout is available here in Bend.

This is a big beer with 11% alcohol by volume and yes, it definitely fits the “decadent” bill. Here’s their description (both on the site and the label):

Three thousand feet above sea level in the misty mountains of Jamaica, some of the world’s finest Arabica beans are hand picked on their way to becoming Blue Mountain Coffee. Halfway around the world, plump spring barley grows to maturity in the loamy soil of North America while aromatic hops are cultivated to exacting standards. Here in our kettles, these three special ingredients are blended to create a heady mixture of sweet sugar, dark roast, and complex flavor. Please enjoy this brew in moderation.

Southern Tier Jah*va Imperial Coffee StoutAppearance: Brown-black color, completely opaque. Nice thick and creamy head, tan-colored, is leaving nice lacing.

Smell: Sweet coffee syrup; wood notes and roasted malts, backed by a brandy-like alcohol note.

Taste: Creamy, burnt caramel and smoky wood flavors, all over a completely astringent-free dark roast coffee. Very sweet and with the coffee it comes across as a nice Turkish delight. Some chocolate notes, but more burnt-sugar sweetness (a bit cloying).

Mouthfeel: Creamy, silky mouthfeel with stick-sweet, full-bodied finish.

Overall: Superb, lots of “sweet coffee” with a touch of alcohol heat but none of the dry/acid of typical coffee. Great dessert beer.

On BeerAdvocate, it scores an overall grade of A-. On RateBeer, it scores 3.91 out of 5 and is in their 99th overall percentile.

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