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C.O.B.

Pennsylvania
United States
C.O.B. by Free Will Brewing Co.
Judges Ratings 
1 Review
90
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Appearance:
6 / 6
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Description 

An Imperial English Brown Ale with 1 pound of coffee per brewery barrel.  Malt forward with notes of caramel, brown sugar and graham cracker, with a strong, yet pleasant coffee flavor that lingers through the finish. Coffee is freshly roasted from Speakeasy Coffee Co., and added to the fermenter (post-fermentation), where it imparts the pleasant coffee flavors and aromas for 36 hours. Tastes the way a coffeehouse smells.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
8.3%
IBUs: 
20
Served at: 
45º
Hops: 
Pilgrim
Malts: 
Pale malt, Flaked Oats, Carabrown, Brown, English Pale, Chocolate, Crystal 45L
Judges Review 
Jim Koebel's picture
Judges Rating:
90
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

C.O.B. is an Imperial Brown Ale with coffee, judged as BJCP Category 30A (Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer). Mild roast coffee, toffee, and toasted malt are the predominant aromas of this beer. The toffee and toasted characteristics are distinct and a nice reminder of this not-too-common style.  A low earthy hop aroma is in the background.  This beer pours a clear, chestnut color with moderate white head.  The flavor contains similar toasted malt and toffee overtones along with coffee. It is moderately bitter and dry throughout the entire sip. This example is highly carbonated and medium bodied, putting it on the crisper end of the spectrum. Overall, going with a lighter-seeming roast coffee was a good move, proving that stouts aren't the only beers that pair well with coffee.