The Sun Comes Up Tomorrow Coffee I.P.A.
Haymarket Beer Co. Pub & Brewery

 

 

i like the idea of coffee ipa, and think there is some high potential between certain coffees and certain hops, but its not like, that obvious, you know, like, strawberries and cream, chocolate and peanut butter, things like that, any type, any proportion, any recipe with those things, its going to work. coffee and hops are a little more tricky, not all works with all, and some many things from roast to acidity to exposure time to hop chemistry come into play when crafting a drink like this. i tend to favor a lighter roast on the coffee and something other than citrus on the hops, but i have enjoyed dry hopped coffee from rwanda on the darker side with a cascade type spicy hop, so all things are possible, it just takes an artist. im not sure that much thought went into this. maybe they grabbed a high quality locally roasted bean, and maybe they used some flavorful hops, but the check for compatibility doesnt seem to have been thorough, or else the recipe itself didnt quite match up their best features. i get some neat chocolate tones from the coffee, and think that part is pretty good, especially with the kind of standard malt base, gives more complexity to all parts of this. the hops though, to me, are mostly bitter, with a little tang of orange in there, possibly an italian espresso vibe, but its not all the way working for me, with more bitterness than flavor and an almost harshness to the feel as a result. it clashes with the chocolate notes, and maybe just isnt as fresh as it should be, faded or something, but the match is a little off. that said, this beer is still taste and definitely unique, i just think there is still room for dialing in the relationship between the specific coffee and the specific hops. this doesnt demonstrate the expertise that so many of their other beers have in my experience with them...

 

9/21/18 (Chicago): $9.73 20 oz. 6.1% ABV Imperial Pint pour into Imperial Pint glass at Haymarket Pub & Brewery. Light blond heavily carbonated pour, puffy head, holds than folds after a few minutes. Strong pleasant roasted coffee aroma, hops hidden. Strong roasted coffee taste, hops masked, light. Mouth feel light, no bitterness, slightly creamy. Carbonation clears fast. Overall nice coffee IPA.

I'm trying this at the brewery. It poured a hazy orangish with white head that is leaving some lace. The scent had mocha notes. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with mocha like finish. The mouthfeel was medium in body with good carbonation. Overall its a solid beer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On-draught @ the brewpub.

B- / WORTHY