Beer Trends: Coffee

Incorporating coffee into beer surely isn’t a new concept, but with the growing interest in artisanal coffee, it is no surprise that beer and coffee are being combined at an increasing rate. The beers on this list are some of the best coffee inspired brews currently on the market. Some are inspired by breakfast, and others by dessert, but there is something for every palette on this list. Be warned, many of these are seasonal or brewed in small batches so you might find them hard to get your hands on.

Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout

This highly anticipated collaboration with Bourbon County is truly unique, in that Goose Island chooses a different coffee to use each time they brew, on an annual basis. They have continually partnered with Intelligentsia to choose a different roast of coffee from their many delicious choices. This hearty stout boasts notes of caramel, chocolate and black malt, making a truly unique coffee centered beer.

Avery Brewing Co. Tweak

Avery Brewing Company has crafted a truly unique coffee flavored brew called Tweak. Tweak is made by soaking espresso beans in bourbon, giving it a bold, full bodied flavor. It is an aromatic beer and features bold flavors like espresso, bourbon and malt. Tweak would go really well with chocolate desserts, like brownies for example, so consider giving it a try after dinner with a little bit of sweets.

Surly Brewing Co Coffee Bender

This brew is a take on their popular Bender beer, a brown ale with oatmeal flavor. The main difference between this beer and the others on the list, is that Surly actually adds cold pressed coffee to the beer, as opposed to simply flavoring the beer with coffee. When poured properly, Coffee Bender offers a decadent, frothy, foam on top, making it similar to cappuccino when sipped.

Funky Buddha Maple Bacon Coffee Porter

This seasonal brew is inspired by a classic diner style breakfast, featuring familiar flavors of bacon, maple syrup, coffee and cream. You will taste notes of creamy toffee, malt, coffee and salted chocolate. This tasty porter is made in small batches, seasonally, and is available in early January, so if you can get your hands on some I would highly suggest it.

Twisted Pine Big Shot Espresso Stout

Denver, Colorado based brewery, Twisted Pine, offers a bold espresso stout called Big Shot. Big Shot offers roasted flavors, along with a hint of chocolate and of course espresso. There is a strong coffee after taste, which makes it delicious option for coffee lovers and die hard fans of espresso.

Terrapin Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal Stout

This Athens. Georgia based brewery definitely has a sense of humor when it comes to naming their beers. Their Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal Stout is thick, full bodied and aromatic, offering tasty notes of breakfast favorites oatmeal, coffee and chocolate. Terrapin starts their brew a with bold blend of coffees from Zimbabwe, Guatemala, and Costa Rica, creating a complex flavor profile that is surely worth trying at least once.