Organic Portland Roast Espresso Stout - Laurelwood Public House & Brewery

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

2.4/5  rDev -39.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

First had: on tap at Laurelwood Public House, Portland, OR

Poured a translucent brownish black with a small cap of tan head that receded to a thin layer. Aroma of roasted malts and coffee. I liked the smell; the taste on the other hand... It's a well-known fact that I hate coffee. It's pure evil. However, I do like coffee beers, when done correctly, and I've even brewed a coffee stout myself. This beer though, is the kind of coffee beer that--in my humblest opinion--is not done correctly. There's a lot you can do with coffee in beer, but when the final product tastes like flat, cold coffee, that just doesn't sit well with me. And that was my problem with this beer. Otherwise, medium-bodied and a bit thin for the style. I would not want to drink this again.

Serving type: on-tap

01-04-2012 03:33:40 | More by Rifugium

djbreezy

Washington

4.25/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Laurelwood

appearance - pours dark, light head

smell - cold-pressed coffee and roasted malts

taste - same as the nose, good cold-pressed coffee, no bitter qualities, very flavorful

mouthfeel - medium body, well carbonated

drinkability - very good coffee profile, i think this is a better batch than the 2010, really enjoyed it

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2011 06:55:29 | More by djbreezy

barleywinefiend

Washington

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured black with a brown cap and some tannish bubbles

S: Mainly coffee and cocoa on the nose

T: Tastes like a light coffee brownie. Plenty of good espresso, not overly cidic like many coffee stouts.

M: Not a big stout but good taste and feel

D: Not a bad beer at all. I really liked it, Easy to drink and very tasty overall.

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2011 03:10:37 | More by barleywinefiend

kevanb

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

650ml bottle poured into a Goose Island Stout Fest '13 Mini Pint Glass.

The beer pours a deep jet black color, touches of cola brown with a thick yet fluffy khaki head that has good retention but leaves no lacing behind. The aroma is super coffee forward, mild roast and lightly fruity, with some chocolate and almost some milky aromas, very nice expression of coffee. The taste however is a bit of a weak spot, lots of roasted coffee, but quickly it turns to light cocoa mix and watered down milk with some sweet coffee malt at the finish. The body is light, thin and a bit watery that finishes with a carbonated bite.

Verdict: A decent American Stout from Laurelwood, the aroma is wonderful, but the flavors and body really leave something to be desired. I would find it very difficult to drink an entire bomber solo, good thing I was able to share this multiple ways.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 20:46:20 | More by kevanb

EgadBananas

Louisiana

4.18/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Appearance: very dark brown/black color, medium brown finger of head, light retention, no real lace.

Aroma: huge coffee, roast, cocoa powder, milk chocolate.

Taste: coffee, chocolate, roasted malts, bittersweet dark chocolate, dry finish.

***Body is medium and has a creamy texture, overall good and indicative of its 6%ABV, but nothing out of this world. The taste and aroma though, a coffee lovers dream. It's kinda like it was dry hopped with espresso beans with its fresh roasted coffee nose and taste. It doesn't stray to far from those flavors, but this is a coffee stout and its makes no attempts as presenting itself otherwise, so you should know what you are getting into from the start. Love coffee? Go here. I loved it.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 20:33:41 | More by EgadBananas

brewandbbq

New Hampshire

3.65/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

22oz bottle from 2009.

Pours opaque black with a thin head of beige that shrinks to nothing with zero lacing.

Aromatics lead off with strong coffee notes, char, molasses, bakers chocolate, and roast. Faintly sour fruit follows through.

On the fuller side of medium bodied with a slickish mouthfeel. A bit oily.

Roasted, smokey malt laced with sturdy coffee, dark chocolate, and a hint of Kahlua starts the palate. A trace of lactic tartness runs underneath and lingers amongst the coffee and stout character.

Finishes with dark coffee, burnt malt, and a very mild tartness.

This beer did not age well. The light tartness detracts and hints at an infection and the base beer is not big enough to overcome.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 01:27:14 | More by brewandbbq

Hoptometrist

Oregon

4.28/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served from the bottle into a nonic glass

A- Poured a dark brown with lots of reddish hues shining through, not completely opaque. Creamy and frothy mocha colored head left some splashy lace

S- Intensely roasty, extreme coffee bitterness, very dark roast, big aroma of freshly cracked coffee beans

T- Big coffee bean flavor, fresh brewed dark roasted black coffee, a dry cracker taste, light creaminess in the flavor. This is probably the most coffee forward tasting beer I have ever had.

M- Very dry, medium to lighter bodied, medium carbonation, goes down very easy

O- Reminds me a lot of Oakshire's Overcast Espresso Stout, but this is even more coffee forward. Tons of dark roast, coffee bitterness, and dryness. This is a coffee lover's beer

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 04:25:19 | More by Hoptometrist

snaotheus

Washington

3.95/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle poured into a large snifter

I have reservations about the way this beer looks. The opacity doesn't match my model of a stout -- it's fairly translucent. Say, a darker than average scotch ale. Perhaps my judgment is skewed by drinking too many imperial stouts lately, but the lightness of color is putting me off a bit. Head is small but fluffy , light brown.

Smell is utterly dominated by coffee. If you're not a coffee person, just based on the smell, I would probably skip this beer. Luckily I'm a coffee person, and it's pretty alluring. Somewhere under the coffee I can barely detect some faint yeasty/bready aroma.

Taste is dominated by coffee, but not as much as the scent. I get a lot more going on here -- there's some cherry, lots more roasty malt, some creaminess and sweetness that makes me think of milk stouts.

Mouthfeel is creamy but light. Overall, this is pretty good, but surprisingly light in color.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 05:39:07 | More by snaotheus

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle: Poured a pitch-black color stout with a large brown foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of aromatic coffee notes is very enjoyable and well balanced against dry roasted notes. Taste is a smooth mix between some rich black chocolate and aromatic coffee notes that are not too dry. Body is slightly above average with good carbonation. Well brewed and very enjoyable stout which ends up being not too dry.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2012 17:32:10 | More by Phyl21ca

brentk56

North Carolina

4.35/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: A fudge brown pour, with an impressive head of tan foam; very nice on the retention and lacing fronts

Smell: Freshly ground coffee beans dominate the aroma, though there is a dark bread and chocolate element hiding out, underneath

Taste: Coffee, verging on espresso (but not quite as robust), up front, with a bit of sweetening and cream developing by mid-palate; after the swallow, the robust espresso flavors start to come through and linger in the finish

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation

Overall: A really nice coffee stout, by my definition, but I like coffee; I also enjoy a flavorful stout that doesn't also have to load up on the ABV and thick mouthfeel (don't mind those at all, but like the alternative, too)

Thanks, gkatsoris, for the opportunity

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2012 21:40:24 | More by brentk56

morimech

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Black color in the glass after a brownish pour. A massive tan head forms and slowly settles to a thick cap. Sheets of lacing is left down the glass.

Love the coffee aroma of this beer. Espresso that is fresh and pure. That is the only thing that I smell as the stout elements get lost.

Wonderful espresso flavor as well. More of a beer flavor that lies at the base of the beer. Roasted malt that compliments the espresso. Surprisingly the bitterness is mellow and seems low.

The body is moderate with good carbonation. Seems like a 6% ABV beer that neither surprises or disapoints.

A beer for coffee lovers. Pure espresso flavor that is just a joy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2012 17:05:34 | More by morimech

Reidrover

Oregon

4.2/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bottle from "Lifesource" Salem. $4.99 Black with slight mahogany hints beer with a luscious thick ,creamy tan head. Damn delightful! Coffee nose,i like Sumatran coffee beans and this smells just like them freshly ground.This gets good marks for that. Fine mixture of coffee,molasses and toasted oat in the flavour..coffee finish. Great palate..smooth yet carbonated ,keeps things moving along. I think this is a great drink..but you HAVE to like fresh ground coffee

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 02:12:29 | More by Reidrover

Scotchboy

Idaho

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Busting the cherry on my brand new CBS snifter (thank you Aaron!)...it appears that all of this 22oz bomber would fit in here but I'll restrain myself.

A: Pours a dense dark black with transparent brown along the edges of the glass...decent head and lacing.

S: Espresso right up front, dank coffeehouse, very roasty, with dark malts and faint chocolate underneath.

T: Roasted, bitter coffee on the palette, almost grainy in a nice way...coffee really dominates again with faint hints of chocolate and hops as well, which have some earthy undertones and hint at spiciness.

MF: Feels medium-thin with a good dryness and bitterness, decent carbonation.

O: An easy drinker, one dimensional as you would expect a coffee stout to be, but enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 15:35:09 | More by Scotchboy

harrymel

Washington

3.05/5  rDev -23%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Bottled: unk, first time I've seen this one, so newish?

Pours a nice opaque ale with a little latte ring and broken surface. No lace. Smells like...coffee. Really, really coffee forward this one, I dig it though - kinda a spicy, sharp and earthy blend with nutty hints. Flavor is roasty and coffee laden with some sweet malts in the background. There is a bit of a single dimension to the beer. Body is thin and watery for style and has moderate carb. A decent beer, I would like to see some additional body and a little sweetness up ended with this degree of coffee addition. Although I'd drink again, I would prefer a smaller format, this is too much coffee for one sitting for me.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2012 05:15:03 | More by harrymel

cwguy5

North Carolina

4.45/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to HeyCurly3 for this one! Poured from bottle into Mother Earth Brewing(NC) stemware.

A - black with some dark ruby and brown highlights; thin, light colored head that faded to a thin ring; no notable lacing

S - chocolate, espresso, peanut butter - sweet overall

T - espresso is very fresh tasting, has a depth of character without overpowering; some bready, slightly nutty flavors followed by a drying finish; not as dark and roasty as expected, actually somewhat creamy tasting

M - thin-medium body with soft carbonation; long, moderately bitter linger

O - fantastic flavors of premium coffee with a creamy overall texture; does not bowl you over with coffee; i would recommend this to any coffee beer drinkers; my first beer from Laurelwood - nice work so far!

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2012 04:09:02 | More by cwguy5

HochFliegen

Oregon

4.05/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured this espresso stout from a 22oz bottle and was impressed with the nice tan head that began to form on top of the rich black colored beer. The tan head quickly dissapated into a thin whispy tan head.

The powerful aroma of the espresso beans quickly lept out of the glass and were ever so lightly intertwined with a slight sweet malt scent.

On first sip the coffee flavors exploded and overtook my palate. I noticed a light roasted malt flavor among the coffee flavors and a high amount of bitterness upon my second sip. The finish was semi-dry.

Mouthfeel was on the low side of medium. True to style but less than I had anticipated and appreciate in a stout.

Overall I really enjoyed this beer. The weakness in my opinion is in the less than full-bodied mouthfeel. Flavor though was amazing. Aroma was like walking into my favorite coffee house on Newport Ave.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 03:39:59 | More by HochFliegen

suncrust

Washington

3.98/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bomber poured to an Oskar Blues rocks tumbler.

A: Pours a smooth, jet black hue with a rocky khaki cap. Looks like a cup of joe for sure. Head is on the thin side, dissipating quickly after the pour. Virtually no lacing.

S: Aromas of dry, ground coffee dominate the nose. Smells mainly like rich, dark black coffee. A bold, earthy darkness melds with toasted bread, fresh barrels of roasted coffee beans, and some soil. Hints of sweet vanilla back in there. The bright, berry acidity that the Ethiopian coffee provides is detectable in the nose, balancing nicely with the earthiness of the Sumatran bean.

T: Coffee... and lots of it. Darkly roasted Sumatran beans create a dominate earthiness and nutty coffee backbone. As with the nose, a bright (coffee) berry acidity melds with the darker notes, clearly coming from the Ethiopian beans. Bark amid immense coffee flavors that have the feel and body of your basic roasty stout. Different but good.

MF: Clean, smooth... a lighter textured stout. Not a ton of body. Maybe a little waxy in the front of the mouth. Medium carbonation.

O: If you don't like coffee, you won't like this beer. If you understand the differences between beans, roasting profiles, and have had a few coffee cupping experiences, then you will surely appreciate this brew. The balance between the acidic Ethiopian brightness and the dark earthy Sumatran beans make this beer a phenomenal take on a coffee brew. Definitely less of a beer for the beer connoisseur and more a brew for a coffee enthusiast. Pure coffee to its roots.... It might even give you coffee breath.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 02:48:02 | More by suncrust

UCLABrewN84

California

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to black13 for sending me this one!

Pours an almost opaque super dark brown with a 1 inch puffy dark tan head that fades to an oily film on the top of the beer. Foamy areas of lace stick to the sides of the glass on the drink down. Smell is of chocolate syrup, roasted espresso beans, and dark roasted malt. Taste is of dark roasted malt, espresso grounds, and slight dark chocolate. Minor roasty bitterness on the palate after each sip. This beer has a smooth and creamy mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good stout with good espresso/coffee flavors. I am glad I got to try this one.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2011 08:04:20 | More by UCLABrewN84

THECPJ

Delaware

3.53/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes:

appearance: dark brown black with 2 finger tan head

smell: roast, coffee, malts,

taste: coffee, roast, malts,

mouthfeel: mild carbonation, medium to full body,

overall: this is a coffee bomb. wish it had a fuller body. it's an alright beer.

Cheers,
The CPJ

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2011 00:03:54 | More by THECPJ

welldigger888

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

wonderful deep garnet hue with a tan head and excellant lacing.

Nice quality coffee nose that is backed by a solid malty backbone, but the coffee IS the star of the show.

Well, coffee continues to be the star of the show here but the malty roast is very present, with a good smooth combination this brew showcases the expresso roast for sure, mmmmahhh.

Smooth and Creamy seem to come to mind. This elixer is for the beer drinking coffee head for sure.

I Love This Brew, go seek buy. You will be rewarded with a solid coffee stout.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2011 02:34:03 | More by welldigger888

ottovon

Arizona

4.1/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

shared with whiterascal.

A: pours out a dark, opaque brown, almost the color of cola, with a 2 finger tan head that faded quickly to just cover the top of the beer.

S: really nice aroma. it has some sweetness in it. there is a big chocolate aroma and some toffee. there is roasted malt, as well as coffee in this. i get some dark fruit, as well as molasses. the coffee isnt overwhelming. it is blended in nicely.

T: the aroma comes through on this. lots of chocolate and roasted malt. it finishes somewhat bitter like dark chocolate or coffee. there is a nice coffee flavor in this. there is hints of burnt sugar and there is a bit of sweetness in the beginning.

M: a medium-thin body, with medium carb that fizzes on the tongue.

O: I find this to be a very good beer. I wish i brought back more than 1.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2011 01:59:35 | More by ottovon

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance. Pours a deep brown-red, almost black with a finger of tan head that leaves a little lacing.

Smell. Molasses, coffee, milk chocolate and a hint of vanilla.

Taste. Coffee, caramel, roasty malt, some molasses, a little wood maybe, a bit of bitterness that lasts a minute or so.

Mouthfeel. Medium body, medium carbonation.

Overall. A solid coffee stout.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2011 00:41:14 | More by Rutager

HugePlume

Washington

4.15/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22oz bomber poured into a pint,

A- An average looking porter, pours with a nice tan head, but not overly thick or long lasting. A fair amount of light can pass through the edges. Does not lace very well.

S- Coffee dominates the nose, with some very mellow malt begging to break through, barely doing so.

T- Again, coffee. I am not a fan of coffee, but the goal of this brew was achieved, thus the subjective grading of a 4.5 because there is a lot of espresso coming through. I had half my glass slightly colder than a stout should be enjoyed at, and then the remainder once it warmed. As it warms the malt becomes apparent and there is a tangy alcohol note that punches through. I enjoyed the last few sips as I had some souvlaki seasoned lamb skewers and it was a fantastic pairing.

M- A little too watery, but it adds to the drinkability, so while it may give up half a point here, it gains it on the back end in terms of drinkability. Strong espresso after taste.

O- A very drinkable coffee'd ale, try it if you can find it.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2011 03:05:00 | More by HugePlume

billab914

Virginia

3.98/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz bottle into my Stone IRS glass. It poured black in color with a thin, creamy head clinging to the edges of the glass.

The aroma has a lot of milky chocolate and cocoa coming through. I get the roasty, coffee, espresso flavors as well, but unlike a lot of coffee beers it don't seem bitter or burnt. The milk chocolate flavor actually gives it some pretty nice balance. Pretty appealing aroma overall.

The taste also has a good dose of creamy, milk chocolate flavors to it throughout the beer. Midway, it starts to get roastier with the espresso flavors showing up. I get a moderate coffee, bitterness but not nearly as much as many coffee infused beers. Again, the milk chocolate flavor gives it some very nice balance between sweet and roasty.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied and creamy. Carbonation is moderate for the style. Overall it was a pretty nice beer. The chocolate and espresso flavors worked very well together for me. Very easy drinking and flavorful beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2011 00:54:21 | More by billab914

chumba526

Oregon

4.18/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appears dark brown (almost black). There is a thick tan head on top.

It smells of pure, strong, intense freshly roasted coffee. The bold dry slightly bitter smelling coffee smell is almost all I can smell. I do get a mild vanilla like smell though.

It tastes much like it smells. There is a bold smooth roasted coffee flavor. There is only a mild sweetness to the beer. There is a slightly bitter espresso coffee finish to the beer. The coffee flavor is the star of this beer.

There is a low carbonation to the beer. The beer is somewhat thick.

Overall, not a complex beer but a great beer that really has a great smooth coffee flavor.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2011 04:34:20 | More by chumba526