Jingle Java
Bent River Brewing Co.

One of the better coffee stouts I've had. Man did it smell amazing. This holiday stout wasnt your typical overly spiced concoction. Coffee upfront with some very subtle notes (pecan, caramel, cocoa) to accent it. Well done. Really enjoyable!

 

While Jingle Java Looks only slightly above average (not much foam on an opaque bod), Smells are mostly sweet malt with a few holiday spices and vanilla in the back of the nose. Tastes are balanced with the roasted malt and hops giving a semi-dry finish. Pleasantly soft in the mouth, but only light to medium for a syrupy style.

This is my second from Bent River, and the first was 7 years ago. Bent River's portfolio continues my previous comment; that they brew maltier beers than the typical American micro. And for that reason, I should have paid more attention to them. But finally following up on what I said 7 years ago of wanting to get out the States, now I am. But, I wish them well.

12 oz. bottle, no date but just recently acquired from the local Binny's as part of a mixed six pack. My third beer from Bent River Brewing Company

A: Super dark chocolate color, basically opaque. Nice thick mocha head & good strands of lacing. Looks nice.
S: This aroma kicks things up a few more notches, this thing smells delish.. Suuper rich coffee bean aroma, very roasty, very fresh smelling. Creamy, with underlying notes of vanilla, chocolate, nuttiness.
T: Pretty dang good, if maybe just a touch on the sweet side. Super creamy, the coffee is more of an accompaniment to other flavors of vanilla, caramel, chocolate, cream, raisin. I do taste the Rum flavor, which everyone includes, so not to be remiss.
F: Smooth, creamy, light. Body is pretty thin & easy-drinking, not too heavy, thick or bloating, which is definitely nice to have a lighter alternative to some of these heavy ass imperial stouts.
Overall, this one has a lot going on. Huge depth & duration of flavor for such a low abv beer. Highly recommended holiday offering for sure.

Bent River Brewing Company Jingle Java -----4.25/5

Extremely aromatic smell of roasted pecans, rum, warm chocolate. The taste follows closely, with roasted chocolate malt bedded with pecan, rum, and chocolatey goodness, all on a very body warming beer. One of my favorite stouts by far, though the low ABV limits the depth of the flavor.

 

 

 

 

 

I've updated my rating of Jingle Java, having found it much better on tap, especially the smell. Updated on 12/10/2024.

Bottle poured into pint glass to cap off the holiday season. Pretty nice head but fades. Great holiday stout.

Type: 12-oz. bottle
Reviewed as: American Stout
Glass: Revision 12-oz. tulip
Price: n/a
From: Beer Advocate’s LKFH
Purchased: n/a; Received March 9, 2020
Consumed: March 20, 2020
Misc.: No bottled on date

Thanks, Chris!

Got this from Chris via Lesley in a surprise delivery at work. Had never heard of Bent River, but damn did this beer sound right up my alley as, “This coffee stout’s tasting notes include vanilla, caramel, pecan, cinnamon and rum, giving it a flavor that is perfect for enjoying during the holiday season.” And right now I’m considering sheltered in place the holiday season.

Poured a black color with one finger of khaki frothy head which dissipated quickly. Could just see a few bubbles coming up the sides of the glass. Below average watery lacing. Poor retention. (Sight - 2.75)

Lots of flavors coming from the nose. In order got pecan, hazelnut, buttered toffee, caramel, espresso, oatmeal cookie, vanilla, cocoa and toasted barley. Pecans and other nuts really dominated here. From the bottle was more creamy with milk chocolate, vanilla, and coffee and cream leading the way. Not getting any cinnamon, but maybe some toasted coconut. (Smell - 4.25)

Taste was not quite as good, but close. In order got pecan, hazelnut, cocoa, peppermint?, vanilla cream, espresso, dark milk chocolate syrup, buttered toffee, caramel, oatmeal cookie, roasted barley, toasted coconut and very faint cinnamon. Lots of flavor for a 5.4 pct. ABV stout. (Taste - 4.00)

Full body. Creamy-to-sticky texture. Average carbonation. Long, smooth finish. (Feel - 4.25)

Was back and forth on a few of the categories here, but this was outstanding overall. (Overall - 4.00)

4.01 | 90 | A-

I got a bottle of this beer from my good friend and old neighbor from Oswego. It poured an opaque dark with no head and no lace. The scent had strong peanut butter and roast notes. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with pecan, cocoa and roast flavors. The mouthfeel was lighter in body with good carbonation. Overall its a good beer.

 

From a beer of the month club. The pour had a fluffy dark tan/khaki foam head that eventuallys leaves a lacy remanent with a dark brown body. The scent is sweet and festive: vanilla, brown sugar, sweet coffee, cinammon, and caramel all dance on the nose. Some maltiness also comes across. The interplay of scents is so enjoyable that wafting the smells can distract from moving to tasting! The taste matches the scent well, with a great balance between sweet flavors and a malty backbone. I would say the vanilla, cinammon, and coffee come across most distinctly, but everything in the smell can be tasted at various points. The feel is medium bodied and almost has a silky/creamy sensation present. A very enjoyable holiday stout and one that I hope to encounter again in the future!

 

A: The beer is close to being black in color - only traces of dark brown are visible near the edges o the glass. It poured with a short tan head that left a collar around the edge of the glass and a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface.
S: Moderate aromas of coffee beans and pecans are present in the nose.
T: The taste follows the smell, but the coffee flavors are stronger and there are hints of rum in the finish.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This is a nice coffee stout and the flavors of pecans and rum lend complexity to the taste.

Serving type: bottle