Coffee Bender
Surly Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats
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- From:
- Surly Brewing Company
- Minnesota, United States
- Style:
- Brown Ale - American
Ranked #17 - ABV:
- 5.5%
- Score:
- 92
Ranked #4,260 - Avg:
- 4.15 | pDev: 10.6%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 31, 2022
- Added:
- May 28, 2006
- Wants:
- 676
- Gots:
- 446
SCORE
92
Outstanding
92
Outstanding
Notes:
Bender steeped cold for 24 hours in coarsely ground coffee beans from the Vinca Vista Hermosa plantation in Guatemala.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
4.06 by not2quick from Missouri on Mar 31, 2022
4.5 by RBorsato from Virginia on Mar 28, 2022
4.18/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by lordofthewiens from New Mexico
The beer is a very dark brown with some garnet peeking through. Medium-sized tan head. A little lace.
Coffee aroma, some roasted malt.
Strong coffee taste, espresso. Coffee taste lingers. A little bit of chocolate, some late hoppiness.
Medium-bodied. I liked how the coffee stayed present.
Feb 26, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by lordofthewiens from New Mexico
The beer is a very dark brown with some garnet peeking through. Medium-sized tan head. A little lace.
Coffee aroma, some roasted malt.
Strong coffee taste, espresso. Coffee taste lingers. A little bit of chocolate, some late hoppiness.
Medium-bodied. I liked how the coffee stayed present.
Feb 26, 2022
4.1 by RMW66 from Australia on Feb 04, 2022
3.84 by bankboy66 from New Jersey on Dec 12, 2021
4.3 by TwilightBeerCareer from Illinois on Nov 25, 2021
4.26 by bkdayton01 from Minnesota on Oct 03, 2021
4 by West_Chester_Ale_Tester from Ohio on Oct 02, 2021
4.75 by mpolewan from Ohio on Sep 09, 2021
4.21/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Wattie83 from Pennsylvania
Pours a rich brown color, some ruby color around the edges. Tall khaki head falls to a nice cap. Opaque color, can't see anything going on in the body. Smell is coffee, chocolate roasted malt, some hop aroma evident. Taste follows nose with roast malt up front, cocoa and coffee in the middle with a bit of hop earthiness and bitterness. Finish sees the coffee stick around until the next sip. Feel is medium bodied, slightly creamy despite the carbonation. Finish is relatively dry. Overall, this is a good brown ale with solid coffee flavor without tasting burnt or stale. I'd revisit it again.
Aug 29, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Wattie83 from Pennsylvania
Pours a rich brown color, some ruby color around the edges. Tall khaki head falls to a nice cap. Opaque color, can't see anything going on in the body. Smell is coffee, chocolate roasted malt, some hop aroma evident. Taste follows nose with roast malt up front, cocoa and coffee in the middle with a bit of hop earthiness and bitterness. Finish sees the coffee stick around until the next sip. Feel is medium bodied, slightly creamy despite the carbonation. Finish is relatively dry. Overall, this is a good brown ale with solid coffee flavor without tasting burnt or stale. I'd revisit it again.
Aug 29, 2021
3.74 by Humanusfermentum from Virginia on Aug 22, 2021
3.83/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by dsa7783 from New Jersey
Sixteen ounce four pack copped from Buy Rite in South Orange. Pours a smooth brown hue with semi-moderate frothing. Noticeable aroma replete with hints of cacao nibs and molasses. Similar overall flavor profile. Not bad.
Jul 15, 2021
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by dsa7783 from New Jersey
Sixteen ounce four pack copped from Buy Rite in South Orange. Pours a smooth brown hue with semi-moderate frothing. Noticeable aroma replete with hints of cacao nibs and molasses. Similar overall flavor profile. Not bad.
Jul 15, 2021
4.02 by travelguy from Ohio on Jul 05, 2021
3.61 by Sulty from Massachusetts on Jun 17, 2021
4.25 by NickThePyro from Washington on Jun 09, 2021
4.23/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by colts9016 from Idaho
Review 1527
I just found this beer last year, alas I have never reviewed it. This beer is tasty, I am looking forward to finally reviewing it. This beer is 44 degrees and served in a Nonic. The pour of the beer created a massive three-fingered light tan head with excellent retention. The head slowly dissipated leaving lacing on the glass. The color of the beer is SRM 20, a dark brown with mahogany hues. The beer does have some clarity to it, despite it being darker. This beer is lovely.
I get coffee, dark roasted malts, and smoke for my initial sniff. Nosing further, I detect chocolate, toffee, a hint of caramel, and some floral esters. Lastly, I sense molasses, raisins, and a touch of herbal.
The flavors in the beer are dark roasted coffee, roasted malts, Maillard, chocolate, a hint of caramel, smidge of toffee, molasses, floral, herbal, and some earthiness.
The mouthfeel is somewhat dry and a touch bitter.
The body of the beer is medium, medium-low carbonation, and a medium-plus finish.
This beer is awesome. The coffee profile is not overpowering. The coffee does not give the beer any negative effects, like burnt or over roasted flavors. The brown ale is well done with a delightful coffee addition. The beer is well made, I have enjoyed drinking these beers.
May 09, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by colts9016 from Idaho
Review 1527
I just found this beer last year, alas I have never reviewed it. This beer is tasty, I am looking forward to finally reviewing it. This beer is 44 degrees and served in a Nonic. The pour of the beer created a massive three-fingered light tan head with excellent retention. The head slowly dissipated leaving lacing on the glass. The color of the beer is SRM 20, a dark brown with mahogany hues. The beer does have some clarity to it, despite it being darker. This beer is lovely.
I get coffee, dark roasted malts, and smoke for my initial sniff. Nosing further, I detect chocolate, toffee, a hint of caramel, and some floral esters. Lastly, I sense molasses, raisins, and a touch of herbal.
The flavors in the beer are dark roasted coffee, roasted malts, Maillard, chocolate, a hint of caramel, smidge of toffee, molasses, floral, herbal, and some earthiness.
The mouthfeel is somewhat dry and a touch bitter.
The body of the beer is medium, medium-low carbonation, and a medium-plus finish.
This beer is awesome. The coffee profile is not overpowering. The coffee does not give the beer any negative effects, like burnt or over roasted flavors. The brown ale is well done with a delightful coffee addition. The beer is well made, I have enjoyed drinking these beers.
May 09, 2021
3.62 by sisterofba from Maryland on Apr 04, 2021
4.27 by miwestcoaster from Michigan on Mar 20, 2021
4.04/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by rudiecantfail from Pennsylvania
16 ounce can poured into a tulip glass. Canned on 3/24/20.
L---Darkest brown color. Medium, khaki head has good retention and left nice lacing.
S---Strong coffee and lighter roasted malts.
T---Coffee, obviously. Some caramel and something sweet and vaguely fruity/berryish.
F---Medium bodied, but thinner than expected for the rich flavor.
O---Damn fine beer. I'd get this one again.
Mar 14, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by rudiecantfail from Pennsylvania
16 ounce can poured into a tulip glass. Canned on 3/24/20.
L---Darkest brown color. Medium, khaki head has good retention and left nice lacing.
S---Strong coffee and lighter roasted malts.
T---Coffee, obviously. Some caramel and something sweet and vaguely fruity/berryish.
F---Medium bodied, but thinner than expected for the rich flavor.
O---Damn fine beer. I'd get this one again.
Mar 14, 2021
4.27 by SFNC from North Carolina on Mar 05, 2021
4.12/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by nick_perry from North Carolina
Foamy white head. Roasted malt and coffee aromas. Flavor is pretty much as advertised. Dry brown ale with a strong coffee note. Medium bodied. Strong carbonation. Not a whole lot to say about this one, but a solid example of a coffee beer.
Jan 31, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by nick_perry from North Carolina
Foamy white head. Roasted malt and coffee aromas. Flavor is pretty much as advertised. Dry brown ale with a strong coffee note. Medium bodied. Strong carbonation. Not a whole lot to say about this one, but a solid example of a coffee beer.
Jan 31, 2021
4.24 by morebeergood from Massachusetts on Jan 27, 2021
4.05 by WillieThreebiers from Connecticut on Jan 27, 2021
4.21/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Blogjackets from Ohio
5.5% ABV makes this an easy drinker. Fresh roasted flavor and aroma are dominant. Pleasant mouthfeel and the malty backbone provides a smooth finish. As good a coffee beer, without additional flavor profiles, that I have had since Rogue’s Fresh Roast. Drank from can dated 10-13-20.
Jan 24, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Blogjackets from Ohio
5.5% ABV makes this an easy drinker. Fresh roasted flavor and aroma are dominant. Pleasant mouthfeel and the malty backbone provides a smooth finish. As good a coffee beer, without additional flavor profiles, that I have had since Rogue’s Fresh Roast. Drank from can dated 10-13-20.
Jan 24, 2021
4.57 by jcrangers91 from New York on Jan 23, 2021
4.46/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by beerthulhu from New Jersey
A: Beautiful roasty coffee flair pour from the pour with Auburn highlights from backlighting. The capping is impressive, dark tan color, firm and spongy texture and build, with large cavernous pits, but holds amazingly well despite. A good collection of carbonation bubbles gather on the bottom of the chalice. Full band lacing tops off an outstanding visual, finished with a milky band coating.
S: Big wiff of freshly cracked coffee beans, earthy roast and oily fresh, with beautiful tones of of deep chocolate malts. Earthy damp forest leaves, with a touch of fresh charred firewood. The coffee grounds are as fresh as can be, late addition rather kettle boil? Milky roast of good strength that I can smell all day and will surly perk you up on any morning with some vanilla. Some warming brings out a gentle smokiness.
T: Roasty flair for flavor, fresh grounded beans, dried milky chocolate malt with a soft bitterness, earthy and well rounded and smooth. Some black cherry and plum fruitiness, sweetly dark highlights the fresh roast along with some smoky charred character on the tongue with a good hold.
M: Nice fullness, malty, thick of malt and coffee oils, softly carbonated with a milky depth. Warming smoky charred character on the tongue.
O: Smooth and beautiful drinker of fresh cracked coffee bean aroma, and some vanilla rich coffee that has support of deep rich chocolate malts. Nice smoky character and an underappreciated style that doesn't get enough recognition. The fresh roasty character only builds on to the flavor with an innovative twist that blends so well together. Let this warm up a bit to really bring out the coffee aspect. Even love the redesigned can which looks like starbucks cold coffee.
Jan 11, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by beerthulhu from New Jersey
A: Beautiful roasty coffee flair pour from the pour with Auburn highlights from backlighting. The capping is impressive, dark tan color, firm and spongy texture and build, with large cavernous pits, but holds amazingly well despite. A good collection of carbonation bubbles gather on the bottom of the chalice. Full band lacing tops off an outstanding visual, finished with a milky band coating.
S: Big wiff of freshly cracked coffee beans, earthy roast and oily fresh, with beautiful tones of of deep chocolate malts. Earthy damp forest leaves, with a touch of fresh charred firewood. The coffee grounds are as fresh as can be, late addition rather kettle boil? Milky roast of good strength that I can smell all day and will surly perk you up on any morning with some vanilla. Some warming brings out a gentle smokiness.
T: Roasty flair for flavor, fresh grounded beans, dried milky chocolate malt with a soft bitterness, earthy and well rounded and smooth. Some black cherry and plum fruitiness, sweetly dark highlights the fresh roast along with some smoky charred character on the tongue with a good hold.
M: Nice fullness, malty, thick of malt and coffee oils, softly carbonated with a milky depth. Warming smoky charred character on the tongue.
O: Smooth and beautiful drinker of fresh cracked coffee bean aroma, and some vanilla rich coffee that has support of deep rich chocolate malts. Nice smoky character and an underappreciated style that doesn't get enough recognition. The fresh roasty character only builds on to the flavor with an innovative twist that blends so well together. Let this warm up a bit to really bring out the coffee aspect. Even love the redesigned can which looks like starbucks cold coffee.
Jan 11, 2021
4.25/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Korbynlehr from Kentucky
Dark in color with a light brown to tan head. Nose is similar to colas but the coffee smell comes through. The taste is straight up coffee with cocoa and vanilla. Not too bitter I assume because of the vanilla I again assume has been added. Great follow through taste!!
Dec 24, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Korbynlehr from Kentucky
Dark in color with a light brown to tan head. Nose is similar to colas but the coffee smell comes through. The taste is straight up coffee with cocoa and vanilla. Not too bitter I assume because of the vanilla I again assume has been added. Great follow through taste!!
Dec 24, 2020
3.85 by chrishiker1409 from New York on Dec 24, 2020
4.21/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by hopsputin from New Jersey
*2 month old can
a: super dark brown, almost black in color. quite silky. pours a 1.5 finger tan head
s: really nice punch of roasted malts, caramel, and coffee upfront. freshly roasted coffee beans, a touch of grassy hops behind that. milk chocolate powder and a little bit of a woody note. a touch more sweet malt and coffee at the end. not too complex in the nose, but very nice if you like coffee
t: rich roasted malts and caramel upfront. a nice sweet nutty flavor followed by ground coffee. a faint kiss of sweet chocolate and just the faintest hint of sweet berries. there is a touch of earthy bitterness in here as well, which tastes like faint tea. more coffee and malt sweetness to close out along with a nice bready note
m: mouthfeel is on the fuller side of medium, a touch chewy. low carbonation - i think it could use just a touch more carb
o: a really nice Coffee Brown Ale. I thought from the aroma that the coffee would dominate the rest of the flavors, but it doesn't. the sweetness and nutty flavors that you want still shine through and have a really nice harmonization with the coffee. my biggest knock is I think it could use a touch more carbonation
Dec 18, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by hopsputin from New Jersey
*2 month old can
a: super dark brown, almost black in color. quite silky. pours a 1.5 finger tan head
s: really nice punch of roasted malts, caramel, and coffee upfront. freshly roasted coffee beans, a touch of grassy hops behind that. milk chocolate powder and a little bit of a woody note. a touch more sweet malt and coffee at the end. not too complex in the nose, but very nice if you like coffee
t: rich roasted malts and caramel upfront. a nice sweet nutty flavor followed by ground coffee. a faint kiss of sweet chocolate and just the faintest hint of sweet berries. there is a touch of earthy bitterness in here as well, which tastes like faint tea. more coffee and malt sweetness to close out along with a nice bready note
m: mouthfeel is on the fuller side of medium, a touch chewy. low carbonation - i think it could use just a touch more carb
o: a really nice Coffee Brown Ale. I thought from the aroma that the coffee would dominate the rest of the flavors, but it doesn't. the sweetness and nutty flavors that you want still shine through and have a really nice harmonization with the coffee. my biggest knock is I think it could use a touch more carbonation
Dec 18, 2020
3.99 by walt5 from Delaware on Dec 18, 2020
4.2 by patre_tim from Thailand on Dec 13, 2020
4.19/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
by BEERMILER12 from Maine
A: Pours a deep brown color with 2 fingers of head that fades down to a thin cap
S: Toasted malt, coffee, caramel, dark chocolate, and a touch of earthy hops
T: Follows the nose. Starts off with a mix of toasted malt, coffee, and caramel. Picks up some dark chocolate and earthy hop notes. Finishes with lingering coffee and light caramel
M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation
O: A very good brown ale that takes the coffee treatment to a high level. Super easy to drink. Definitely coffee-forward. Worth checking out
Dec 08, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
by BEERMILER12 from Maine
A: Pours a deep brown color with 2 fingers of head that fades down to a thin cap
S: Toasted malt, coffee, caramel, dark chocolate, and a touch of earthy hops
T: Follows the nose. Starts off with a mix of toasted malt, coffee, and caramel. Picks up some dark chocolate and earthy hop notes. Finishes with lingering coffee and light caramel
M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation
O: A very good brown ale that takes the coffee treatment to a high level. Super easy to drink. Definitely coffee-forward. Worth checking out
Dec 08, 2020
3.96 by Sellen from Connecticut on Dec 05, 2020
4.46/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
by Nass from Florida
The pour is brown colored. The taste is big & rich coffee, roasted malt, & faint caramel. I agree, this is a fabulous brown ale. Cheers! A-
Nov 27, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
by Nass from Florida
The pour is brown colored. The taste is big & rich coffee, roasted malt, & faint caramel. I agree, this is a fabulous brown ale. Cheers! A-
Nov 27, 2020
4.48 by Vylo from New Jersey on Nov 22, 2020
5 by 1971bernat from Virginia on Nov 14, 2020
3.83/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
by ScaryEd from New Hampshire
16 oz can into a tulip glass.
Pours a dark brown color with a massive creamy khaki colored head. The head has moderate retention, leaving some sticky lacing as it settles into a thin sheet.
The aroma brings waves of freshly ground dark roast coffee beans, with some far subtler notes of dark chocolate, caramel and roasted malts.
The flavor, like the nose, is dominated by dark roast coffee. The chocolate and caramel notes are a bit more prevalent, however, providing a sweet balance to the roasted bitterness of the coffee. Hop presence is moderate on the finish.
The feel is medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Nicely smooth and creamy. Lightly dry.
Overall, this is a very good american brown ale. The coffee overpowers the chocolate, caramel, and malt characters a bit, but everything is there and it's called "Coffee Bender" so what do you expect? If you like coffee, you will definitely like this beer. If you're looking for a more traditional brown ale, you may want to pass.
Nov 09, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
by ScaryEd from New Hampshire
16 oz can into a tulip glass.
Pours a dark brown color with a massive creamy khaki colored head. The head has moderate retention, leaving some sticky lacing as it settles into a thin sheet.
The aroma brings waves of freshly ground dark roast coffee beans, with some far subtler notes of dark chocolate, caramel and roasted malts.
The flavor, like the nose, is dominated by dark roast coffee. The chocolate and caramel notes are a bit more prevalent, however, providing a sweet balance to the roasted bitterness of the coffee. Hop presence is moderate on the finish.
The feel is medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Nicely smooth and creamy. Lightly dry.
Overall, this is a very good american brown ale. The coffee overpowers the chocolate, caramel, and malt characters a bit, but everything is there and it's called "Coffee Bender" so what do you expect? If you like coffee, you will definitely like this beer. If you're looking for a more traditional brown ale, you may want to pass.
Nov 09, 2020
4.44 by dt_gbpackersfan from Missouri on Nov 09, 2020
3.9/5 rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by BB1313 from Ohio
Canned on 10/13/20. 16oz can poured into a tulip. Pours a dark brown with auburn hues; creamy khaki head that falls leaving great retention and sticky lacing. The aromas are all coffee along with some hints of chocolate. Malts are there. The flavors follow the nose. More coffee leading the way. Hints of cocoa and chocolate. Some roasted characteristics are there due to the coffee. Low sweetness. Moderate bitterness. Malts do their thing. Alcohol goes unnoticed. Mouthfeel is on the lighter side of medium-bodied with moderate to active carbonation. It's sharp, fluffy, smooth and easy to drink.
This is a nice coffee beer. The coffee shines. This beer has been on my radar for over 10 years, so I'm glad I finally got to see it on shelves locally. It might be straightforward and lack the depth that some coffee beers have these days, but it's still a really good showcase of coffee in a beer. I definitely believe this brew was ahead of its time. like it.
Nov 08, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by BB1313 from Ohio
Canned on 10/13/20. 16oz can poured into a tulip. Pours a dark brown with auburn hues; creamy khaki head that falls leaving great retention and sticky lacing. The aromas are all coffee along with some hints of chocolate. Malts are there. The flavors follow the nose. More coffee leading the way. Hints of cocoa and chocolate. Some roasted characteristics are there due to the coffee. Low sweetness. Moderate bitterness. Malts do their thing. Alcohol goes unnoticed. Mouthfeel is on the lighter side of medium-bodied with moderate to active carbonation. It's sharp, fluffy, smooth and easy to drink.
This is a nice coffee beer. The coffee shines. This beer has been on my radar for over 10 years, so I'm glad I finally got to see it on shelves locally. It might be straightforward and lack the depth that some coffee beers have these days, but it's still a really good showcase of coffee in a beer. I definitely believe this brew was ahead of its time. like it.
Nov 08, 2020
4.39 by Jsalz21 from New Jersey on Nov 08, 2020
Coffee Bender from Surly Brewing Company
Beer rating:
92 out of
100 with
2807 ratings