Mr. Smith's Espresso Stout
Granite Mountain Brewing

Poured from a half gallon growler into a tulip glass.

A: Opaque black color with a peripheral ring of mocha-tinted bubbles. Scant lacing remains on the glass.

S: Cold-pressed coffee is the obvious standout quality. Something else lends a cooling effect to the nose, possibly a subtle hops-derived aroma such as the mintiness associated with the Northern Brewer cultivar.

T: Begins dry, with early soapiness that obscures developing roast. Acidity is restrained into the middle where strong coffee-derived aromatics are present. The profile cleans up well enough during the latter half, leaving a pleasant and still very coffee-focused lingering presence on the palate.

M: Thin to medium viscosity, slightly oily on the palate, with very low carbonation.

D/O: Appearances lead one to believe that this coffee stout is a lower-abv contribution to the style. While coffee is fairly well-represented across the senses, it has some early issues in the flavor that restrict its enjoyment. Still, it does not lean too heavily upon the palate, making its drinkability an asset.