Cosmic Ristretto

Coffee Beer | Year-Round | United States

By Tracy Hensley

Judges Rating: 90
Aroma: 22
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 36
Mouthfeel: 9
Overall Impression: 17

From a foot away, strong expressive and unique espresso and cacao nib aromas explode from this clear, ruby-brown beer with a persistent tan head.. As the beer warms, it evinces chocolate bar, dark graham cracker, roasted hazelnut pieces in a praline chocolate cake, low alcohol, nutrient rich dirt, and brown earthy mushroom aromas. At first, strong roasted charred wood and espresso bean flavors evolve into a dark mocha espresso with charred pieces of fire-roasted, blackened pork bitterness and an aftertaste of pleasing fireplace smoke and clean alcohol warmth. A medium-plus body, high carbonation, mocha creaminess cut by roasted bitterness, and pleasing, medium-high, throat-warming alcohol make this an interesting, flavorful and complex beer. Overall, this is an intense, overly-charred and bitter coffee porter.