Recently I had the chance to try a growler of Almanac Beer Company’s Cold Brew Coffee Barrel Noir. This imperial stout, aged in Woodford Reserve bourbon barrels for 18 months was steeped with vanilla beans a coffee. It was delicious.

One of my favorite styles of beer is anything with coffee. I don’t care if it’s an IPA or a porter. If it’s got coffee included I’m trying it. A coffee stout done right might be the 2nd greatest thing next to a barrel aged coffee stout done right! There is something special about a thick roasty stout and the sweet undercurrent of bourbon or whiskey and the bitterness of the coffee/hops that are magical to me. Many try but few succeed. Cold Brew Coffee Barrel Noir is the former. Opening the growler and taking a whiff presents the distinct aroma of a coffee stout but there is definitely a bourbon presence as well. It was poured from the growler into a snifter style glass. It poured a nice tan head that lingered with tightly packed bubbles. Initially I was afraid the vanilla was missing but upon taking a sip I realized it’s there as a balance to the rest of the flavors in this beer. Mouthfeel is medium to slightly thick. The taste is as advertised. There is no doubt there is coffee in this big bodied imperial stout and the after taste balances with the sweetness from the vanilla and bourbon. As this beer warmed up the flavors melded into a perfect swirl of what I would describe as a vanilla cappuccino with a splash of bourbon.

Highly recommended 4.50 out of 5.