Conditions of My Parole
The Empourium Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

i love the name of this. its a cool coffee blonde, which smells and tastes to me like some cold brewed java was added in after the fermentation, its got good pungency and bitterness, no acid at all, and the base beer is light enough that the coffee really comes through in it. i think its nicely done, although its a touch sweeter than it needs to be. i cant tell if it has a sugar added sort of vibe or if the fermentation is just not quite complete, i wish this were drier, they would really have something here if it was, because the flavor and complexity of the coffee is excellent. i get a nutty almost almond note to it, an obvious dry powdered cocoa layer, and some nice roasted depth with the needed bitterness along with it. the base beer is simple and clean, real clear, and without much going on other than a honey note to the malt, i just wish it was fermented down to dry. the coffee really carries this one, its the first thing i smell and the last thing i taste, and overall the beer is drinkable and balanced, well done on the coffee. i bet this will be better the next time they brew it too, seems like a learning opportunity that hopefully will manifest itself in the next batch. good but close to great.