Espressway

Espressway by Two Roads Brewing Co. is being evaluated as a Spice/Herb/Vegetable Beer (Category 30A) from the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines.

Espressway pours black and opaque, with a light tan head that leaves a thick stand of fine bubbles on the beer. It starts off with a prominent aroma of dark roasted coffee, roasted malt, light vanilla, with a hint of nutty oats and bready malt. Just a suggestion of herbal hops emerges behind the powerful malt and coffee, along with a touch of chocolate. The flavor also features dark roast coffee, roasted malt, light nuttiness from the oatmeal, bready malt and a hint of vanilla. Moderately high hop bitterness peaks mid-palate and maintains strength as it moves through the medium-dry finish. No hop flavor develops behind the malt. The oats contribute a creamy, silky mouthfeel that enhances the medium-full body and plays well with the moderate carbonation.

A very well brewed coffee stout, the coffee is well integrated into the malt character and creates a nicely balanced beer. The hop bitterness is a touch high and could be tamed slightly to reduce the competition in the balance, but that’s only a minor issue in this enjoyable beer.