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Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout
Petaluma, California
BJCP Category: 21A Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beer
Lagunitas Brewing Co. <visit site>
36
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[expand]Total Score: 35/50
Drinkable but doesn’t portray the role of a stout or particularly present the characteristics of cappuccino, although there is plenty of fresh coffee character. more >
[close]Total Score: 35/50
Aroma: Berry-like fruity esters and alcohol dominate. Little to no malt aroma but there is a fresh coffee aroma. No hop aroma. No diacetyl or DMS. While the coffee note is there, the underlying stout character of roasted barley and malts is missing. Combination of esters, alcohol and coffee is an awkward blend.(8/12)
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Appearance: Very deep ruby color, nearly black. Clear—not opaque. Thick, tan, long-lasting head. Well carbonated. (3/3)
Flavor: Sweet maltiness up front with caramel notes but little roasted malt or roasted barley. Alcohol is very evident; this may age out over time. Fresh coffee flavor that leaves a bit of thin roughness to the finish. Cherry and raspberry fruitiness doesn’t seem to blend with the coffee used in making this stout and the alcohol that resulted. (14/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with rough mouthfeel. Not as full as either the Foreign Extra Stout or Imperial Stout. Not creamy or smooth as one might expect from a cappuccino-based beer. Lots of alcohol warming. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Drinkable but doesn’t portray the role of a stout or particularly present the characteristics of cappuccino, although there is plenty of fresh coffee character. The beer seems somewhat confused about what it wants to be. Additional roasted barley would help bring out the stout character and the addition of lactose would provide the milk portion of the cappuccino. (6/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 34/50
Without the foam, the base beer comes across more like my morning coffee than a stout, like most of the color came from coffee rather than from roasted barley. more >
[close]Total Score: 34/50
Aroma: Roast grain, low fruit with some acidity at first. Some coffee, low chocolate notes, moderate citrus hop aroma, and a bit of alcohol. (6/12)
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Appearance: Dark brown with gold highlights. Brilliantly clear. Biscuity, persistent head forms of gold, pearlescent foam. (2/3)
Flavor: Coffee, burnt raisin and molasses flavors are topped off with a citrus hop, like a twist of lemon in an espresso or cappuccino, as some sweetness merges in the middle. Roast coffee flavor dominates the finish, with a bit of acidity and hop bitterness. (15/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation. Creamy, with some astringency and warming alcohol character, and a bit of an acidic bite. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Without the foam, the base beer comes across more like my morning coffee than a stout, like most of the color came from coffee rather than from roasted barley. The citrus hop character was closer to what I expect for an American Brown hailing from the Pacific Northwest. While it lacks the rich roastiness, deep color and full body expected for a stout, I found the flavor pleasing. This would be a lovely breakfast beer for a campout, with coffee, cream and sugar already added, and with the biscuity foam in place of steamed milk. (7/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 38/50
Good beer that would appeal even to those who are not coffee drinkers. The base beer does not have enough of the classic roasted flavors that exemplify the stout style. more >
[close]Total Score: 38/50
Aroma: The initial aroma has some unusual celery and roasted green chile notes rather than coffee. This could be evidence of some oxidation of the coffee. Cappuccino does emerge as it warms, along with some crystal malt sweetness. It is fairly fruity for a sweet stout, with some spicy alcohol character in the background. (11/12)
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Appearance: Deep brown, rather than black. Looks more like coffee than a stout! The clarity is excellent, and the beige head stays up well and leaves lace on the glass. (3/3)
Flavor: There is an interesting assembly of malt, coffee and ester flavors. Crystal and chocolate malts provide a sweetish backbone, and there seems to be a little lactose character. The roasted green chile character carries through from the aroma. The coffee and cappuccino flavors come through mainly at the end, providing a substantial bitterness in the finish. I get some aromatic alcohols and esters—higher than expected, but they do add complexity. (14/20)
Mouthfeel: Moderate to full mouthfeel, but a modest carbonation prevents it from being cloying. There is some astringency, but at an appropriate level. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Good beer that would appeal even to those who are not coffee drinkers. The base beer does not have enough of the classic roasted flavors that exemplify the stout style, but perhaps they would come through better if the ester and alcohol levels were reduced. (6/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 38/50
Still a little hot, probably needs some aging. There is a definite coffee flavor, and the quantity/balance seems about right; however, the coffee adds a harshness. more >
[close]Total Score: 38/50
Aroma: Strong coffee aroma—like fresh coffee beans, not brewed coffee or roasted malt. Malty sweetness and roast follows. Moderate esters. No hops. Otherwise clean. (9/12)
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Appearance: Tall, light brown head, settled moderately fast. Dark brown, opaque. When held to a flashlight, is deep ruby and clear. (3/3)
Flavor: Fresh coffee bean flavor, moderately strong. Moderate esters. Medium bitterness (including some from the alcohol). Restrained hops—not getting much at all. Moderate sweetness. Some alcohol flavor. Some roast/burnt flavors in the finish. (15/20)
Mouthfeel: Warming, but a little hot. Medium-full body, moderate carbonation. Fairly smooth. Some astringency, seemingly from coffee beans. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Still a little hot, probably needs some aging. There is a definite coffee flavor, and the quantity/balance seems about right; however, the coffee adds a harshness. The base beer seems like a foreign stout. The blend isn't bad, but maybe a less harsh coffee variety or a better way of handling the coffee would work better. A good concept, but a little rough from the coffee and alcohol. Should improve a bit with age. (7/10)
