Espresso Stout

Espresso Stout

Stevens Point Brewery

Stevens Point, WI

Style: Coffee Stout

ABV: 6.5%

When served properly, an espresso should have a lemon rind placed on the plate that holds the cup. The understanding being that the drinker will gently rub the peel across the lip of the cup, imparting a slight twinge of citric acid. Lemon was the first thought that crossed my mind after the initial bit of dark roast cleared my palate. On the label the brewery says this jet-black ale with the somewhat thin tan head has been aged on “hand picked” espresso beans. The coffee is certainly there, but can actually be elusive between sips. That’s because in addition to the java acidity, there is also a lot of malt sweetness and what is almost certainly lactose sugar. Not an eye opener, but perfectly good for an evening pick-me-up.

John Holl
John Holl is the editor of All About Beer Magazine and author of “The American Craft Beer Cookbook.” He lives in Jersey City, NJ. Contact him via Twitter @John_Holl or email