Double Espresso

Double Espresso is a coffee stout — a style that’s become genuinely well-established in the craft beer world, and for good reason. The combination of roasted barley from the stout and actual coffee is a natural one, and when it’s done well the result is a beer that satisfies the same part of your brain that reaches for an espresso at the end of a meal. This one doubles down on that concept, as the name suggests.

Tasting Notes

It pours very dark — near black — with a brown, mocha-coloured head that has reasonable retention. The nose is intensely roasted, with strong espresso character upfront and a background of dark chocolate and a hint of vanilla. On the palate the coffee is the dominant note, backed by the bitter roast of the malt, and there’s a pleasant sweetness in the mid-palate that stops it feeling harsh. The finish is long, dry, and satisfyingly bitter in exactly the way a good espresso is.

Verdict

Drink this one at near room temperature — cold kills the coffee character. A small tulip glass or even a snifter works well for concentrating the aroma. Double Espresso is exactly what it promises: a rich, coffee-forward stout with serious roast character. If you like dark beers and you like coffee, this is a no-brainer. Brilliant with dessert or on its own as an after-dinner drink.