Hippy Speed Ball Coffee Stout
Girdwood Brewing Company

easily my favorite beer i had in here, which is not to knock the delicious others, but to call out just how good this is, really splendid overall quality, on point with any of these being made anywhere right now, and it was cool to be able to try the nitro version side by side with the normal, two really different drinking experiences. a few things really stand out about this, the first being the obviously elite level coffee they are using, locally roasted but i didnt get to try it on its own while i was in town, certainly keen to after this, its chocolate forward, not overly roasted, and seems to almost add something to the fermentation itself, like its got a little yeasty thing of its own, subtle as it is, love this. the second thing is the process here, they have it dialed, i think they use whole beans after fermentation, but i am not positive, the acidity is low, the bitterness is nothing, and the extraction seems professional, like they maxed out the flavor and aroma without any weirdness or faults, its dialed! finally, the base beer is perfect for this, and for this location, its hearty and full, not heavy but sturdy, oaty maybe, without any real sweetness, the coffee shines here in a long and somewhat simple base, has time and room to course and weave in different ways through it, and i think its a great way to showcase the java. really creamy on the nitro, a little more of the roasted grain coming through, coffee somewhat less aromatic and up front, but lots of dark chocolate and great balance. the regular version is more coffee dominated to me, especially in the nose, and i get more nuance from it, raisin, smoke, and even rum. impressively complex beer, cool they offer both formats in the tap room. amazing in the morning, on a hangover, or when its chilly out, which is basically all the time here? brilliant stuff and a highlight of our visit here.

 

25.4oz can, tulip, canned 8/17.

Oily black topped with a gorgeous mound of creamy tan bubbles.

Creamy iced espresso, vanilla, port wine undertones like raisin, and a good punch of dark roast.

Layers of high quality, fresh coffee backed by an outstanding creaminess. Dark chocolate, heavy cream, char, espresso, rye and black pepper-like spice.

Medium-full body with creamy carbonation. Very smooth.

This is excellent. I’m curious about how they added the coffee because there is zero harshness.

 

 

 

03/19/2017