A Couple of Coffee Stouts

Coffee and beer...two of our favorite drinks together! We recently picked up a couple of different coffee stouts to try out. Though they're not light and summery drinks, these beers are perfect for dessert or as an after-dinner aperitif.

First was the Long Trail Coffee Stout (22oz bottle for $3.99 from Whole Foods), from Long Trail Brewing Co. in Bridgewater Corners, VT. On the pour, there is a strong coffee nose, thick, black color and trace head that quickly disappeared. Medium body with sweet roasted malt and a slight espresso bitter finish. This would be a good winter breakfast stout.

The Imperial Stout is brewed with Vermont Coffee Company Dark Roast and since we are coffee drinkers we do not mind the strong coffee and accompanying bitterness. Also, the 8% ABV is not too strong for this style of beer. Overall, a good craft beer for the price. We'd like to try this on tap and maybe even eat this over our ice cream at dessert.

The Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout (picked up for $5.99 for the 22oz 8.3% ABV bottle) from Lagunitas Brewing Co. poured a cola color with a roasted mocha coffee nose and taste. The beer is medium body with notes of bittersweet chocolate and a typical bitter roasted coffee finish for this style beer. The infused coffee is from HardCore Coffee of Sebastopol, CA. The Lagunitas has a little bit more of an alcoholic heat on the back-end as well.

The Cappuccino Stout is drinkable and similar to the Long Trail not too overwhelming. The Lagunitas is a little pricey in comparison (we like the Lagunitas IPA's better) but like most craft beers, if you can get them at a good price, pick up one.

The Long Trail and Lagunitas stouts might not be the most food friendly or session-style beers, but who cares? For beer and coffee lovers, it's the best of both worlds! Cheers!