It has been a little while since my last post, but there has been a lot going on. First I have been working on finishing a brewhouse just off my garage (pics to come when fully complete). That has sucked up a lot of my spare time over the past two weeks.  The good news is it is done except putting in the ceiling, and I will be brewing in there tomorrow. The second thing is I was gearing up for my interview of Joe Karls from Hinterland Brewing in Green Bay. I completed that interview this morning and will start working on posting it right after the Easter Holiday. So keep an eye out for that. But in preparation for that interview, I wanted to review Hinterland’s Luna Coffee Stout. All I can say is I have had some of Joe’s beers from Hinterland and I have to say, that guy can brew! If you have never had a Hinterland beer, you have to get your hands on them. I have never had this one, or another one I will be reviewing shortly, the Maple Bock, so I am pretty excited to try this one.

Hinterland's Luna Coffee Stout, no doubt about the coffee here.

As you will find out in the interview, Hinterland’s bottled version of their pale ale was previously brewed at Grey’s brewery using Joe’s recipe and ingredients, but using Grey’s equipment and bottling line. Now, Hinterland has a new bottling line right there at the brewery in Green Bay. This will help them expand the beers they offer in bottles, and give them much more control over the whole process. The new bottles are 16 ounce German bottles, that are pretty heavy duty, so you fellow homebrewers out there can really utilize these bottles after you empty them. Currently they have this coffee stout, their flagship Pale Ale, an Amber, and the Maple Bock available. There will be a Cherry Wheat ready for summer that will replace the Maple Bock. Ok, enough with that. I’ll save the rest for the interview. Let’s get started with the review.

This beer is a coffee stout, which has no official category, but is within the style in American Stout, I am unsure if coffee is added but I am going to assume so, so it would actually be in category 23 as an American Stout with coffee added.

Aroma: The first thing that hits me from the pour is there is a distinct coffee aroma. If there is no coffee added to this beer I would be shocked. The coffee aroma is so bright and clear I couldn’t imagine it being anything other than real coffee. Some subtle chocolate are floating around in there as well. There is also a nice roasted grain aroma, typical of a stout. I don’t get much in the way of hops here, but I think that is by design. It is a coffee stout and it delivers coffee, and roasted barley character.  (9 points)

Appearance: The beer is almost completely black at first sight. However, if you hold it up to the light you will see some deep ruby or garnet tones, and also notice it has some great clarity. The head is a nice frothy tan head that last long into the pint and provides some great lacing. (3 points)

Flavor: No surprises here. The flavor is coffee, but I don’t mind that. That is what the beer is billed to be. In the flavor, there are a few more components coming through a bit stronger than in the aroma. For example the dark chocolate is picked up a bit easier, there is a creamy……well….cream flavor that is bouncing around as well. There is just a subtle sweetness that prevents this beer from becoming quite dry, and makes is very drinkable. I don’t get much in the way of hop bitterness, and it seems a lot of the bitterness comes from the roasted grain. I have to say I am very impressed with that factor. I know there are hops in there, but the bitterness I perceive is not derived from the hops. Which to me, means that this beer is in perfect balance between the malt and hops, and again the coffee character is showcased. A dry bitter coffee flavor lingers into the finish, along with some roasted grain. (18 points)

Mouthfeel: The beer is a touch on the thin side. Although personally I like that, there should probably be just a touch more body to it. The texture is creamy with just a bit of roasted grain astringency…or maybe from the coffee (4 points).

Overall: OK, I know it may seem like I’m trying to build up to the interview. But trust me when I say I am not. If you go out and try this one, and you like stouts, you will not be disappointed.  First off, I am not a fan of coffee, but I can tolerate it is certain circumstances. This beer actually makes me want to go out and drink coffee, if I knew coffee tasted this good. The balance is outstanding, the brightness of the coffee combined with the dark chocolate and mild cream is a winner in my book. If I were to make any suggestion it would only be one, just a touch more body. The aroma was very nice, maybe could be pushed up a bit more, but maybe the coffee wouldn’t come through as bright. The flavor is almost magic to me. This would also be the perfect beer to enjoy with your dessert.  (9 points)

Overall I give the beer a 43, which would translate to an A or A-. All I can say is I have a new stout to add to my favorites.