There is no more natural pairing in the world than beer and the coffee bean. The deep roasted flavors of dark beers like stout, Schwarzbier (black lager), porter, doppelbock and others lend themselves perfectly to the beautiful, black, bitterness of coffee.
The craft beer renaissance has seen an explosion this favorite beer adjunct. There is hardly a brewery that doesn't have at least one coffee beer either in their regular lineup or featured as a favorite seasonal.
Here are some of the favorite coffee beers out there. For more information about coffee, check out Lindsay Goodwin's Coffee and Tea site here at About.
The craft beer renaissance has seen an explosion this favorite beer adjunct. There is hardly a brewery that doesn't have at least one coffee beer either in their regular lineup or featured as a favorite seasonal.
Here are some of the favorite coffee beers out there. For more information about coffee, check out Lindsay Goodwin's Coffee and Tea site here at About.
Schlafly Coffee Stout
Schlafly collaborated with local St. Louis coffee roaster Kaldi on this beer. Free trade, cold toddy brewed espresso is blended with the brewery's popular Oatmeal Stout. The result is a beer that has been described (by my wife) as "chocolate covered espresso beans in liquid form." She's a fan.
Bell's Java Stout
Brewed with Sumatran coffee, this straight-forward coffee stout is very satisfying.
Meantime Coffee Beer
London brewer Meantime took the gold at the 2006 World Beer Cup for their Coffee Beer. It is made with Fairtrade coffee from the local Union Coffee Roasters.
Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout Ale
Big, dark and enough coffee for the most hardcore of java fans. I'm not sure why it's called cappuccino as there's no milk or lactose sweeter involved in the brewing but at 9.2%, after drinking one it doesn't really seem all that important!
Midnight Sun Brewing Co. Arctic Rhino Coffee Porter
This Alaska coffee porter is another collaboration with a local roaster. The brewers at Midnight Sun Brewing were so impressed with Michael Allen's Arctic Rhino Coffee Blend that they even named the beer after it.
Brooklyn Brewery Brewmaster's Reserve Intensified Coffee Stout
This seasonal from Brooklyn Brewery is another example of good beer combined with good coffee.
Flying Fish Brewing Co. Imperial Espresso Porter
Flying Fish Brewing worked with roaster Crescent Moon to come up with a special five bean blend for this porter. According the brewery, the beer has notes of coffee (naturally!), toffee, licorice and spice. Sounds like tasty stuff!
Victory at Sea Coffee Vanilla Imperial Porter
With added vanilla, this coffee porter takes on a softer side with notes of chocolate ice cream.
Have a favorite coffee beer? Tell us about it.
What's your favorite coffee beer? Whether it's listed here or not, tell us about your favorite coffee infused beer.
