Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout – Imperial Stout – 9.2% ABV – 29.5 IBU
If you are a loyal follower of my brew reviews you will know that I already reviewed two coffee ales before: Boulevard’s “Coffee Ale” and Founders “Breakfast Stout”. If you are not a loyal follower of my brew reviews then you should be slapped repeatedly across the face like a redhead in a Catholic elementary school after he yanks up a Nun’s habit to reveal the lacy g-string that divides what looks like two pillowcases full of frozen peas.
Chubby Nun ass-cheeks aside, you’re probably wondering where this coffee flavored ale ranks on the Deltoid scale among the aforementioned two. It’s not quite as good as the Breakfast Stout but it is certainly better (as a coffee-style ale) than Boulevard’s selection. Cappuccino Stout is a delicious, buzz-inducing, milky, malty, easy-to-drink stout that will satiate all fans of this style. With its presentation, aroma, and flavor, “cappuccino” is the perfect word to put on the label. If you disagree with me, you are wrong.
Not surprisingly, the liquid is a dark coffee brown color. The head is a soft, calm, milky tan froth that contains several large bath bubbles. It actually looks similar to the delicate foam on the top of an actual cappuccino. The aroma is robust with malt, cocoa nibs, coffee, and a tad of sweetness similar to many Russian imperial stouts. The flavor is simple and tasty: roasted coffee, malt, a bit of sherry and black licorice, and booze. It even contains the flavor of milk sugar, but it does NOT actually contain any (as does a milk stout). Ground coffee beans added from Lagunitas’s neighbor, Sebastopol’s Hardcore Coffee, are the special ingredient here. The texture is also smooth and velvety, and has a moderate amount of soft carbonation. It’s surprisingly drinkable and even a tad refreshing for a 9.2% ABV imperial stout. The intensity of the flavor is not as strong as I expected. It isn’t an uppercut, but a strong jab. The lacing is mild but noticeable with lava-like dabs sliding leisurely down the side of the glass. The aftertaste starts off with mostly roasted coffee and segues into a pleasing bitterness with a touch of metal.
I first saw this for US$5 at a liquor store with the words “Limited Release” on the label. So I wrapped my arms around every bottle on the shelf as if I was Angelina Jolie and they were all babies in need of adoption, and I hauled them lovingly away. Then for a couple of months I saw them everywhere; in every grocery store and in every liquor store. How limited is it? I’m a bit perplexed by that. Nevertheless it is still worth every penny and warrants repeat consumption (or adoption). *Please note*: unlike me with Cappuccino Stout, Angelina Jolie does NOT pry off the tops of her adopted babies and guzzle their inner contents. And neither I nor BaDoink and its affiliates shall be held liable if such a rumor is spread throughout the internet, printed press, television, word of mouth, or other form of media as a result of this publication.
Lagunitas never fails to impress and I will gleefully continue to review their products. At this point having sung so many praises for them here on BaDoink I wouldn’t be surprised if I soon answered a knock on my door to a beautiful topless broad in pig-tails, with sharply defined tan lines around her luscious, gravity-resistant, oiled jugs; on her knees holding a card that states: “Thank you. Love, Lagunitas.” But for the record: I would kindly and gently turn her away, as I am currently a faithful boyfriend to a lovely lass who shows me my just appreciation in the mornings for pleasing her with my little bald Deltoid. And how does she typically thank me? With a cup of hot cappuccino. Like the Lagunitas brand, she’s a keeper.
Style: 8.5/10
Overall: 8.5/10
