ESPRESSO Superior Coffee Beer
Dark Star Brewing Company Limited

ESPRESSO Superior Coffee BeerESPRESSO Superior Coffee Beer
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From:
Dark Star Brewing Company Limited
 
England, United Kingdom
Style:
English Porter
ABV:
4.2%
Score:
82
Avg:
3.52 | pDev: 14.49%
Reviews:
14
Ratings:
19
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Dec 23, 2015
Added:
Jul 21, 2009
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  4
No description / notes.
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Photo of NilocRellim
Reviewed by NilocRellim from Minnesota

4.44/5  rDev +26.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4.5
Really dark brown almost black colour. Roast burnt malts, cocoa nib and espresso aromas, rich and full. Lighter flavours than expected; moderately dry and a lovely light espresso flavour, like a chilled, slightly malted Americano.
Dec 23, 2015
 
Rated: 3.6 by MikeKSmith from England

Jan 23, 2015
 
Rated: 4.5 by KevinRailton from England

Jun 30, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Pelicanrocks from England

Feb 18, 2013
Photo of CwrwAmByth
Reviewed by CwrwAmByth from England

4.28/5  rDev +21.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
This coffee stout was poured from a 500ml bottle into a dimpled pint mug.

Pours a opaque black colour with a nice tan head.

Smells strongly of burnt coffee, simple yet lovely.

Tastes of strong dark malts, combined with a bitter yet drinkable coffee flavour.

Overall a really nice, simple stout. Very drinkable and packed with flavour.
Jan 16, 2013
Photo of TerryW
Reviewed by TerryW from Canada (ON)

3.74/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
This could be the beer that starts your day if you're a coffee person, because that's what this beer is all about -- coffee!

Pours black with a very short head. Settles to a ring with only a few random spots for lace.

You'd be hard pressed to smell anything more than dark, rich coffee when you breathe in this one. Some sweetness from the malt. That's it.

Lots of coffee to taste, a hint of sweet and sour like you'd get from bittersweet chocolate. Bitter finish that lingers on the palate before giving way to dryness. Did I say coffee? Thin-bodied.

If you're a coffee fan, you'll enjoy this. It's got a for real coffee taste going. A beer guy can take it or leave it. I honestly think you'd be able to pass this off as cold, strong coffee to the unsuspecting.
Dec 14, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by cfalovo97 from Canada (ON)

Nov 11, 2012
 
Rated: 3.25 by Molson2000 from Canada (ON)

Sep 11, 2012
Photo of Arborescence
Reviewed by Arborescence from Finland

3.67/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Black, thick. Pours a modest head.

Aroma: Roasted coffee, hint of malt and dark chocolate.

Taste: Milder than you’d think from the aroma. A rather sharp bitterness from the coffee, not as toasty as I expected though, especially given the roasted malt.

Mouthfeel: Very dry, but mellows out quickly, leaving a lingering coffee flavour.

Overall: Unfortunately the typical stout characteristics are overwhelmed by the coffee, so you might very well get the impression that you’re drinking coffee with beer in it. The beer is very smooth though, and if you do like coffee stouts then this is worth a try — after all, this beer did win the speciality beer category in the The World Beer Awards in 2009. I’ve developed a taste for coffee stouts on my visits to North America, where this type of beer has been very popular especially recently. I have to say that almost all of the coffee stouts I’ve had in the US and Canada beat the Dark Star offering, but I do like this one as well. I think that the main problem is the relatively low alcohol content and the underdeveloped stout characteristics that can’t match the rich coffee flavour. Perhaps the best beer of this type I’ve had is the Steamworks Espresso Stout, from Vancouver.
Feb 15, 2012
Photo of Ruds
Reviewed by Ruds from England

4.01/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured into an English pint glass from 500ml bottle.

Very dark in colour almost black, nay off black, dark brown when held to the light (search light !).

A small head which is creamy/brown/white in colour, soon gone.

Good strong coffee bean/espresso aroma's hit the nose instantly - it does what it says on the bottle for sure!

It tastes of , yes - coffee, bitter sweet chocolate and roasted malts, but most definately coffee coming at you hard and fast!

Only 4.2% ABV so not a chewy beer at all, quite a thin body, but this doesn't detract from the enjoyment.

a little bitter and dry aftertaste in the mouth.

Have had this on cask many a time and got to say the bottle is not as good, a good 0.5 points away on all counts!

If I had to choose a coffee flavoured stout session beer (yes just over the 4.0% ABV limit I realise !) - this would be it.
Jan 06, 2012
Photo of fostachild
Reviewed by fostachild from Wisconsin

3.18/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
pours a very dark brown colour. inch of light tan head that fades quick - okay lacing.

smell was decent - lots of coffee, roasted malts.

taste was pretty average. malty, roasted coffee beans, mild bitterness. not the greatest carbonation and okay drinkability.

overall, wasn't the worst porter i've had but kind of boring and would recommend passing on it.
Nov 25, 2011
Photo of Jeffo
Reviewed by Jeffo from Netherlands

3.11/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Got this one at De Bierkoning in Amsterdam.

From a 500ml bottle into a snifter.

APPEARANCE: Pours a 1 ½ finger, medium looking, noisy, light tan head with excellent retention. Black body with lower levels of carbonation evident. Head slowly fades to a thick cap and clings to the sides. A good foam cap remains leaving sheets of lacing down the sides of the glass. Good looking for sure.

SMELL: Big nose but pretty one-dimensional. Espresso and burnt black coffee. Some slight hints of dark chocolate and roasted malts, but this really is just espresso and black coffee. Well, it is called “Espresso.”

TASTE: Coffee and espresso, thought touches of roasted malts and sweet caramel push though as well. A little watery through the middle and not as potent as the nose. Medium aftertaste of bitter espresso and roasted notes lingers. Definitely a coffee forward stout, but not quite as one dimensional as the nose.

PALATE: Medium body and medium carbonation. Creamy smooth on the palate, goes down smooth and finishes slightly dry on the palate. Pretty good here.

OVERALL: It calls itself “Espresso,” and it wasn’t kidding. This is an espresso beer first, and a stout second. It was a little one dimensional for my tastes, and a little watery though the middle, but for what it is, it’s fine. Not one I’ll want to revisit anytime soon, but if you’re an espresso fan and don’t mind a little beer every now and then, this might be your thing.
Jun 11, 2011
Photo of ecoastman
Reviewed by ecoastman from Canada (ON)

3.7/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Easy drinking for a coffee porter and it's not giving me stomach burn like many others do. How's that for a positive review?

Smokey, lightly-burnt coffee beans - aroma and taste. It sticks to the pure coffee flavour and doesn't get overly complex with cocoa or dark fruits. The smokiness lingers in the lightly bitter finish with a hint of licorice. It does it well, making it a good coffee porter. Not much lacing as I work through the deeply opague black drink.

The mouthfeel is thin and watery making it quite drinkable for the style and the carbonation is flat which is good for this style.
Mar 18, 2011
Photo of rarbring
Reviewed by rarbring from Sweden

3.23/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
The beer is dark brown, almost black, a tan head with off-white parts, a bit uneven. Some lacing.

The smell has burnt bread, old coffee and some tar in it.

The taste is intensely coffee infused, from the sweet brown sugar start, the fudge, the dry fruits and up to the finishing bitter coffee beans.

A small carbonation, and rather modest body, a bit watery, and a dry short finish.

If you like cold coffee, this is for you. Not bad, but I prefer it warm - the coffee that is.
Mar 14, 2011
Photo of mdaschaf
Reviewed by mdaschaf from Indiana

2.93/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Review from notes. Thanks to korguy123 for this one!

A: Pours a dark black with a small tan head and very little lacing.

S: Overwhelming coffee grounds aroma. Smells just like fresh grounds, but there is also a little bit of chocolate as well.

T: More coffee flavor here, slightly bitter. There is also a roasted flavor and a bit more of the chocolate as well.

M/D: Thinner than expected. Overall not a huge fan, mostly because I don't like coffee, so my displeasure is not wholly unexpected.
Dec 14, 2010
Photo of lacqueredmouse
Reviewed by lacqueredmouse from Australia

3.68/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Served to me blind by laituegonflable.

Pours a very deep dark cola brown, with a bubbly head of mocha cream foam. Lacing is very good indeed. Some flashes of light around the edges of the glass. Overall, it looks like a pretty decent brew.

Very strong coffee grounds aroma, with a big whiff of what I can only describe as frozen peas. But the coffee/chocolate, roasted aromas start to become far more dominant. Quite sweet and rich, and incredibly robust. This is a very strong nose indeed - it doesn't really blow me away though.

Taste is quite delectable, a smooth bittersweet conglomerate of chocolate and coffee, with a creamy feel and a dollop of grain husk dryness. It's not as robust, or as complex as the nose suggested it might be, but it's smoother for it, and it winds up a very sweetly drinkable beer.

A very rich, pleasant and creamy stout. Not overpoweringly black, and with a goodly amount of character. Very smooth and very easy to drink.
Oct 28, 2009
Photo of laituegonflable
Reviewed by laituegonflable from Australia

2.88/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Darkish - well pretty dark actually - brown, with a nice pale coffee-coloured head, modest but a nice retaining crown. Lacing is pretty nice, sticky sheets. Good looking dark beer.

Nose is yeah, pretty coffee-esque. Smells like a jar of coffee grounds. Nicely fresh though, with a deep roasty character and a slight hint of unsweetened chocolate. Pretty simple, really, but delivers what it promises.

Taste has more of that coffee flavour throughout, actually flavour is a bit bitter and ashy, with a mild watery character on the mid which hinders the flavour because it essentially gives it the sensation of weak espresso. Flavour ends up a bit sour, with an under-roasted character. Hints in there of mint and charred meat, with a bit of a boiled lolly sweetness towards the back, but overall has that espresso flavour, without a great deal of oomph behind it. Dour, and a bit weak.

Not bad mouthfeel, a little bit thin but a bit of body to hold it up.

Yeah, the flavour and lack thereof, is a downer. Tastes like bad instant coffee served lukewarm/cold.
Oct 27, 2009
Photo of BlackHaddock
Reviewed by BlackHaddock from England

3.38/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
500ml brown bottle, label says ESPESSO and SUPERIOR COFFEE BEER. So I've joined this review thread and not the 4.6% one, as my beer is also 4.2% as mentioned above. My cap said best before end of Aug 09, it was consummed in July 09.

Poured into my vase shaped 'Old Speckled Hen' pint glass. I am drinking this as I review.

One of the blackest beers I've ever had, even under a strong light source it remained black around the edges. A thin tanned head soon turned into a wisp and collar.

If you don't like coffee I doubt you'll have bought this because the name gives away what it is all about.

Rich coffee bean aroma and a dry, unsweetened coffee bean taste was as far as I got really. The coffee flavours are so overpowering nothing else can get through. The label suggests it is ideal after a meal, can't argue against that, wish I'd read the label before opening the bottle, I'm eating later.

The richness in the smell and initial taste doesn't last through the mouthfeel. It isn't weak or watery in any way, but it isn't a cappuccino either. I suppose it does give you a sharp lift like a real Expresso can at times, but it wasn't 'My Cup of Tea'.

Interesting and it doesn't pretend to be anything but a coffee tasting beer, which it certainly is.
Jul 23, 2009
Photo of ADZA
Reviewed by ADZA from Australia

2.72/5  rDev -22.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
There was a listing for a Espresso stout on this brewery but this isnt a stout and has a totally different label from the other bottle and a different ABV aswell,on this label it has coffee beans behind the dark star brewery logo,it pours a jet black colour that lets absolutely no light thru whatsoever and has little carbonation which leaves a little tiny head that quickly forms to a slick in the middle,it has overpowering aromas of coffee exactly like an espresso i hope it doesnt keep me awake,it has an average mouthfeel and it tastes like your drinking watery coffee beer with a tiny bit of hops but not much other tastes get thru i find the coffee definately overpowers this brew and it should have had a thicker mouthfeel.
Jul 21, 2009
ESPRESSO Superior Coffee Beer from Dark Star Brewing Company Limited
Beer rating: 82 out of 100 with 19 ratings