Laurelwood Brewing Co.
Portland, OR
Available: OR, WA
Certified organic since 2002. The coffee in the beer was selected by brewmaster Chad Kennedy with the roasters at Portland Roasting Co.
ABV: 6.3
ABW: 5
Bitterness: 40
Original gravity: 1060
Beer Talk
Organic Portland Roast Espresso Stout
Published May 2011, Volume 32, Number 2
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Lisa Morrison
Made with locally roasted coffee, this stout isn’t over the top with the java, but the beans do make themselves known. The aromas at first come across more like mocha than a strong cup of joe, thanks to the masterful blending of grains with beans. A slight sharpness reminiscent of that first jolt of black coffee hits the palate first, but quickly is softened with the chocolaty sweetness from the stout. While it pours an espresso-black with a khaki-colored head, this beer is all green, being USDA certified organic―even down to the coffee beans.
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Jeff Evans
The mistake sometimes made when creating a coffee beer is to use a base brew that is too flimsy to support the big, bitter roasted-bean flavors. Laurelwood have avoided that trap. Underneath all the rich coffee and mocha character is a smooth foundation of caramel and milk chocolate, and adding to the complexity are subtle hints of orange blossom that threaten to burst through but never quite come to the fore. There’s also a gently warming wine-like note and a suggestion of oak in the dryness of the finish, but the bottom line is clear: love coffee, love this beer.
