Imperial Java Stout - Santa Fe Brewing Company

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.25/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

The beer is the color of my morning ritual cup of coffee. Dark brown, nearing black. The beige head is thick and leaves sticky residue in its wake.

The aroma offers a potent dose of coffee right off the bat. Certainly aimed at the coffee aficionado.

Some roast and chocolate notes, which is to be expected. Coffee takes center stage, however. Dark roast leads the way, then transitions to a chocolate bread flavor lingering in the finish. Very good.

Rich and creamy feel with none of the unpleasant bitterness sometimes found in a bold coffee beer.

A solid beer. I would definitely have this again.

Serving type: can

02-17-2013 04:12:22 | More by Huhzubendah

Moose90

Colorado

4.24/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz can into a pint mug

A – Deep dark brown, not black, almost opaque. Leaves a 1" fluffy head with big bubbles. Leaves good lacing throughout.

S – Coffee, dark roast, medium roast, some chocolate and toffee here too. This smells great, very balanced, not too sweet.

T – Dark roasted coffee, chocolate. This tastes exactly like a dark chocolate covered espresso bean, awesome. Balance from the big espresso comes from a little vanilla and toffee sweetness.

M – Medium-full body, not too heavy, this is drinkable for an imperial stout. Long aftertaste is much appreciated.

O – This is a great coffee stout. It tastes so much like a good dark chocolate covered espresso bean, it has the sweetness, balanced by the bitterness, and is an overall great beer.

Serving type: can

01-09-2013 06:14:23 | More by Moose90

indiapaleale

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pour - deep, dark, almost black in color with a big mocha colored head that's thick like pancake batter. Wow, this looks mysterious and delicious.

Aroma - big notes of espresso, hot chocolate, bitter black chocolate, tiramisu and fudge. It's amazing how much this beer smells like a shot of espresso thrown on top of some sort of chocolate dessert.

Taste - up front is a lot of bitter, dark roast coffee combined with a smooth cocoa and dark chocolate flavor. This is a stout that will make any fan of coffee beers happy. If you like the earthy, bitterness of a nice dark cup of coffee than you'll enjoy this. Lots of emphasis on coffee flavors and plenty of maltiness supporting them. My tongue is a bit dry and I'm getting flashbacks to the espresso I had at 6:45 this morning but man this is good stuff!

Overall - This is a very rich and flavorful brew and one that warms your stomach and makes you feel like having another before you've gotten halfway through the one you're drinking. We really loved this beer, it hit all the marks of a great stout and the coffee flavors were spot on as well. Nothing too intense or overdone, just super flavorful, smooth and delicious.

Would I buy more of it? - sure, this is a great coffee stout and perfect during a cold winter evening OR with dessert anytime of year. To be honest I don't need a specific season or a specific food pairing I could drink this all year long and be very, very happy.

Serving type: can

03-23-2011 00:02:01 | More by indiapaleale

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz can thanks to oglmcdgl, always excited to try some new breweries in this thing of ours.

The appearance on this supposed Russian Imperial Stout is black, yup, you guessed it, black, pretty much motor oil. The head is 3/4ths of an inch with a cream colored tan head that's semi full and milkshake looking, not a bunch of stick.

Smell is all coffee and vanilla and cream and well you get the picture. A whole lot of Java going on with vanilla bean, espresso, roasted malt, char, chocolate and the like.

Taste is what I what is expected from the nose, a java experience. Not sure why this is Dubbed as a RIS, it meets double imperial real well, but does not have the roast or full chocolate and imperial tastes that im accustomed to. If this is a imperial coffee than yes. Taste of jaa, slight, cream brulee, anilla bean, roasted malt and a touch of licorice

Feel is pretty robust and hits all the right points. Id say this is approaching full bodied but is hovering over medium. the carb is there and fullfilling yet not bitey.

If this was in my area, i would pick up a case, this is a great coffee stout and it comes in a can no less. Santa Fe should come to Philly, what's the hold up??

Serving type: can

05-06-2011 07:07:54 | More by onix1agr

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

4.22/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

CAN you dig it, SUCKA! Pours brown out the can, mild beige head about 3/4" deep. Aroma was magnificently coffee. They really knocked that out the park. No acridity, acidity or bitterness in the aroma.

Great taste, again, the bitter adjectives are not amongst this beer, yet the immense coffee ones are. Amazing mouthfeel to completely cover up the 8% abv, can't believe this. Its like they even had the perfect amount of creamer (lactose?) in it where you can't smell it or really taste it, but it just gives it a better mouthfeel than oats would probably do or maybe are there in tandem. Good carbonation, even if its too high for you, you can just let it chill for a few minutes and its adjusted to your likings mr. cask guy from britain. All the chocolate is very dry and never sweet.

Just a bang up job they did on this. Expand distribution!!

Serving type: can

01-03-2012 04:24:08 | More by Beerandraiderfan

Bennettrox

Tennessee

4.2/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big thanks to optimator13 for this one!

A - Jet black, like pouring a morning cup of joe. Half finger khaki head the slowly dissipates.

S - Smells of roasted coffee. If I didn't know any better I would think that I was just poured a great local coffee! Bittersweet chocolate and a little wood.

T - Following the nose this is full of burnt roasted coffee. Deep flavor of heavy malts. The more this warms up the more I'm enjoying the deep dark coffee taste, not much sweetness which I think I like. Coffee is the star!

M - Light but chewy at the same time. This goes down very easy with almost a tiny burn at the end. Medium carbonation.

O - Life would be sweet if I could start my morning off with a cup of Imp Java Stout. As a coffee head I really enjoyed this one! Thanks Evan!

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2011 16:41:51 | More by Bennettrox

angelmonster

Colorado

4.2/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours an extremely dark brown color with hazelnut highlights. Head is a 1/4 inch and is tan/milk chocolate in color. Head retention is above average and lacing is good.

Smell is of strong, roasted coffee/espresso. Sweet caramel malts come through next followed by more bitter coffee. Hops and alcohol are pretty much non present here, the aromas are all about coffee.

Taste is very similar to smell, dark roasted strong coffee mixed with a typical stout. Chalky, Biscuit malts are also there but the coffee really shines in this beer. Bitterness from coffee paired with the hops does a nice job to contrast the rich dark malts. Alcohol is not really detected.

Mouthfeel is a bit light for an imperial stout and strongly carbonated. Body was very smooth though on the lighter side. Head contributed some cappuccino frothiness for about half the beer.

Overall this beer is a total coffee bomb and I love it. My favorite style is Coffee stout and this brew is definitely on the heavy side of coffee flavoring. Only downsides to this beer were that it was a bit too thin to be classified as a imperial stout and I would have liked to taste some different flavors like chocolate,vanilla, smoke etc to complement the onslaught of java. That being said at 8 bucks for a six pack, this beer is a steal and shall become a staple in my fridge.

Serving type: can

01-16-2012 08:56:34 | More by angelmonster

denver10

Colorado

4.2/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours dark brown with a thick 2 thumbs width mocha head. A nice rich aroma of coffee, bitter chocolate, and roasted malts. The flavor is not quite up to par with the aroma but still quite good. Coffee beans hit the forefront, the middle is a weak roastiness, and then it picks itself back up with a nice chocolate and coffee finish. The aftertaste is quite good, tasting like mocha frappucino. A creamy, medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, I really dig this beer. Gonna have to try this one fresh next winter 'cause if its this enjoyable at this age, I can only imagine what it'll be like fresh.

Serving type: can

06-17-2012 00:18:25 | More by denver10

LXIXME

New Mexico

4.18/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Frothy full light brown head sits above a very dark almost black stout. Aroma is rich with coffee/java smells but not of black coffee but of a more flavored variety maybe something Starbucks would sell for $6.00, maybe slight hints of coffee and whip cream or something like that.

The taste is quite similar with a full java/coffee taste that's not just coffee but malted coffee with cocoa beans or grain malts, struck me as quite odd, but in a good way. Taste is super rich java/coffee but it's not at the same time. I've had a lot of coffee stouts that are just coffee tasting, and yet this is but isn't at the same time, makes it quite enjoyable.

The aftertaste has is a lighter coffee/java feel to it but is a nice light dry that sticks with you.

I can't wait for these guys to put out a chocolate or vanilla porter, um-um good.

Serving type: can

05-10-2011 00:41:42 | More by LXIXME

champ103

Texas

4.18/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On cask at Anvil in Houston, TX.

A: Pours a near opaque black color. A large tan and rocky head rises with excellent retention. Sticky, spiderweb looking lace is left behind.
S: Roasted malt, cream coffee, chocolate, and vanilla. The coffee and sweetness work well together.
T: Follows the nose. Plenty of roasted malt. Coffee comes next, but not acrid or over barring in any way. A big chocolate flavor is present along with some sweet vanilla. Fairly simple, but very nice.
M/D: A full body and moderate carbonation. Creamy, velvety, and smooth. So easy to drink. No alcohol in sight, and a joy to drink.

An excellent beer on cask. I really enjoyed this, and something I would recommend. A well done stout on cask.

Serving type: cask

01-26-2012 02:56:19 | More by champ103

Kemmerlin

Colorado

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

A: Poured a thick creamy tan head and a chocolate body with moderate lacing.
S: The best part of this beer. Has a chocolatey espresso aroma deep in maltiness
T: Creamy, mocha latte like flavor that is really good but doesn't stick long and it leaves an off flavor in the aftertaste
M/D: medium bodied and smooth; I thought it would be thicker and heavier but still works. Relatively easy to drink.

Serving type: can

02-22-2011 03:43:08 | More by Kemmerlin

EgadBananas

Louisiana

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

Very dark brown in color, black to the untrained eye. Nice tan finger of head, laces well.

Big coffee aromas that dance with roasted malts and chocolate sweetness. I've bold and I'm diggin' it!

Nice coffee flavours, with roasted, toasted malts and some bittersweet chocolate notes. Good, but just not as in your face as the aroma.

Feel is nearly full, could be a bit heavier to really give it that RIS feel. Carbonation is good, and it's nice and creamy and slick.

The drink is great. Very enjoyable coffee stout, abv is lower, which really makes it easy to put away!

Serving type: can

03-03-2011 02:25:41 | More by EgadBananas

superspak

Michigan

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

12 ounce can into snifter, no canning date. Pours pitch black with some brown on the edges; with a huge 2-3 finger khaki head with incredible retention that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Some nice lacing clinging to the glass as well. Aromas of big roasted coffee beans, dark chocolate, roasted malt, caramel, biscuit, and some herbal hops. Very nice and well balanced aromas. Taste of big chocolate, roasted coffee, caramel, roasted malt, toast, and light spiciness. Good amount of bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of coffee, roasted malt, caramel, and herbal spiciness. Nice balance of flavors with a good amount of robustness. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a decently creamy and slightly slick mouthfeel. Very easy to drink for 8%, and there is really no alcohol presence noticed. Overall this is a great coffee stout! I am guessing this was at least over a year old, but it has held up the coffee flavors quite nicely. Nice balance of flavors and easily drinkable.

Serving type: can

02-08-2012 04:38:40 | More by superspak

allforbetterbeer

Colorado

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

Poured into a large goblet.

Looks black in the glass, with 1 finger of head that consolidated into what looks to be eerily like espresso crema (not a bad thing!).

Smells like a coffee stout, no doubt. The distinct coffee aroma melds with hops to kick the olfactory senses with a twang of bitter coffee bean. Some black malts and a touch of bitter baking chocolate as well.

Coffee comes through huge in the flavor, even more than the nose indicated. Wow, big sweet coffee flavors, this reminds me of well prepared French press. The hops don't thrash around in the mouth like I expected from the nose, which makes this much more approachable, although they are present in sufficient quantities to keep this from getting too sweet. The roasted malts provide a nice backdrop, and even poke through all the chocolate and coffee flavors with some of their own toastiness. Some nice hints of something like vanilla fade in and out as well.

The mouthfeel is creamy (I love cans!) and full bodied, with enough carbonation to keep this interesting, but not enough to lift the flavors off the tongue before they have a chance to get to work. A nice balanced feel. Surprising.

Conclusion: This is actually quite fantastic. I wasn't expecting a major player, but this is coffee forward, balanced, textured, dynamic, and damn tasty. Well done Santa Fe. My second favorite coffee stout behind Fouders Breakfast.

Serving type: can

12-06-2012 16:04:10 | More by allforbetterbeer

Beerandboards

New Mexico

4.14/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

On tap

A - black, cola type color. Little light on head, but most, of not all of that is the fact that it was out of a plastic cup at a food festival.

S - chocolate espresso beans. Little bit of vanilla.

T - smooth coffee bomb. Dark chocolate. They should do themselves a little bit of a favor and change the label to "stout" as opposed to "imperial stout." It just lacks a little bit of depth to hold up the imperial label. That being said, very tasty coffee stout.

M - a little on the thin side, carb is good, if not a little high.

O - great coffee stout. The only gripe is in the labeling, nothing on the beer front. If this were a stout, as opposed to an imperial stout, the numbers would be higher. That being said, don't let the numbers fool you, this is a great beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-24-2013 23:57:01 | More by Beerandboards

riored4v

Colorado

4.13/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed on 9/7/11

Poured in to a tulip. Dark tan head with good lacing. Seemed to be a thin body when it poured, nothing like motor-oil type of stout. Black body.

Aroma had some strong Java to it. Mild chocolate and sweetness. Mild roastiness and some toffee. Definitely heavy on coffee.

Taste had a milky, coffee, java taste throughout. Really good. Mild chocolate and notes of raisin and bitter burnt malt. Tasty brew but not much complexity. Mild sweetness.

Mouthfeel was medium body with a medium/high carb. Mildly dry finish.

Overall it was a good. Very tasty coffee stout and no signs of abv.

*edit*
Aged this same batch for 1yr 3mos. Initial thoughts is that it tastes roughly the same. Flavors have blended a bit more and is really smooth with lots of java. Still extremely enjoyable.

Serving type: can

09-15-2011 00:27:17 | More by riored4v

obrike

Texas

4.11/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Just noticed this one for the first time at Specs Round Rock...a sixer of an Imp stout in a can for 9 bucks...hard to pass up.

Pours a typical nearly black stout pour. Nice clingy tan lace though. A thin very thin head remains throughout. Not bad...but doesn't stand out at all.

The scent...good lord...that's bad ass. For those who love a nice strong coffee...this one's for you. Getting bitter coffee, milk chocolate, some sweet burnt malt, spices...just damn good. Can't wait to taste it.

Holy moly...that's a tasty beer A wonderful coffee smack to the palate, but a good sweet malt finish as well. Vanilla, expresso, a shot of sweet cream...just delicious. A bit jarring if you're not a coffee fan though...thank God I am.

This one would scare off non coffee fans i'm afraid. But for those who love coffee, this one is a winner. A little thin on the mouthfeel and a lot of carbonation for an imp stout, but just incredibly tasty. I could drink this one all winter long. A very good beer at a very good price. Don't pass this one by.

Serving type: can

10-08-2012 02:21:51 | More by obrike

oglmcdgl

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Out of the can and into my kickass new russian river pint glass. Thanks byrd for the glass and drmattyb for the brew.

A- a firm pour really gets the head going and I have to wait a second for it to settle so I can pour the rest of the can. Two fingers of coffee and lots of cream head that does hold for a good bit before settling to a sudsy cap and a ton of lace all over the glass. Super dark brown bordering on black in color with a bit of a brown glow at the edges.

S- dark roasted malts and a good coffee hit. Touches of a molasses like sweetness and some earthy undertones.

T- lots of coffee and chocolate going on here. The malts dark and well roasted really playing off the coffee nicely. Sweet chocolate milk in there with some brown sugar as well.

M- a few steps above medium in body and well carbed keeping things very drinkable.

O- this is a tasty stout and super drinkable. Full flavored and very clean. Ill have to trade for some more I totally dig this stuff.

Serving type: can

05-11-2011 23:36:40 | More by oglmcdgl

djeucalyptus

Oregon

4.1/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

looks like a perfect stout... head could be a bit stronger, but the retention isn't bad. hints of lace, but the darkness is a beautiful cocoa hue that kills.

aroma of milk, molasses and espresso, hints of leather, tobacco, rich dark earthy malt.

taste follows. coffee, dark earthy malts. milky, rich, dark cocoa. licorice and leather.

mouth solid. moderate body, ample carbonation, light and soft with a hint of roasty bitterness in the finish that's pleasantly drying.

all in all, damn awesome. if this were local, it'd be steadily stoked in my fridge. I miss Santa Fe.

Serving type: can

09-29-2011 05:49:02 | More by djeucalyptus

RattleheadKV2

New Mexico

4.1/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into goblet from 12 oz can.

Appearance: Pours a nice super dark brown, almost black, with about a fingers worth of thick tan head that dissipates down to ring of tight bubbles around the edge of the glass. No lacing left behind at all, some very slight alcohol legs.

Smell: Well they don't call this a Java Stout for nothing! Lots of roasty coffee, and chocolate notes, as well as some slight bready notes.

Taste: Coffee! The coffee here really shines through, without being overpowering, you still get a good amount of chocolate, and biscuit flavors. On the finish is a nice little bit of hop bitterness to round everything out.

Mouthfeel: Nice and thick, just as a stout should be. Not really anything else to write about, pretty typical of the style.

Overall: Very good brew, wish Santa Fe Brewing would sell this stuff year round with the Happy Camper. Very good buy, only about $7-$9 a 6-pack around here. Will definitely be buying again.

Serving type: can

02-27-2012 04:40:47 | More by RattleheadKV2

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Imperial Java Stout
Santa Fe Brewing Company
Style: American Double / Imperial Stout
ABV: 8.00 %

LOOK: Pours an oily, darkest of blacks with no light permeating through. Off white, short livid khaki colored head forms and recedes away.

SMELL: Roasted coffee, chocolate, mocha, spent grains, alcohol, wet dog.

TASTE: Nice robust coffee notes upfront, giving way to charcoal, chocolate and a mild bitter hop flavor. There is plenty of delicious coffee notes and a bit of an off flavor as well. Its easy to overlook since the coffee flavors are strong and enjoyable.

FEEL: Full bodied, well carbonated, smooth, and very easy drinking. Drinks like a bubbly dark roast coffee.

OVERALL: This was a tasty coffee beer that is a step away from being a world beater. I really liked the depth of chocolate and coffee notes. A fine canned offering.

Serving type: can

06-18-2012 17:43:55 | More by Stinkypuss

JMad

Texas

4.1/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a very dark brown color almost completely opaque with a thin brown head. The aroma is nice with tons of roasted coffee and some chocolate. The taste is bitter coffee with some dark chocolate and some earthy hop notes with a hint of pine. It is nice and thick but not too heavy with low carbonation and a dry finish. Very nice brew, all of their beers have been good that I've tried.

Serving type: can

11-14-2012 03:46:04 | More by JMad

Lawl3ss

Texas

4.1/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Chilled 12 oz. can poured into a shaker pint. No visible canning date.

Look- Clear deep brown with a dense cap of frothy tan foam. Decent retention, glass is coated by the time it's been emptied.

Smell- Baker's chocolate, char, dark roast coffee, light sweetness. Appealing.

Taste- Rich flavor, dark, roasty char, espresso, semisweet chocolate, again a light toffee sweetness in the background. Takes on a lighter flavor by the swallow, more of a milk chocolate flavor. Finishes with more cocoa and coffee dregs. Alcohol near nonexistent.

Mouthfeel- Medium-full feel, light carbonation. Coffee astringency lightens it a bit, very smooth, full, rich without being syrupy. Very nice. Drinks like.. coffee with dairy creamer.

Overall- Nice, absolutely what I wanted from an imperial coffee stout. Bold flavor, not quite a dessert beer. I'll certainly be getting it again.

Serving type: can

12-14-2012 22:05:24 | More by Lawl3ss

ktrillionaire

Florida

4.08/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Shared by the lovely Bryna. The brew is brown-black, and is capped with a mocha head that collapses into a wispy film and encircling collar.

The nose screams Dunkin' Donuts coffee and the flavor delivers. This tastes almost as much like an iced coffee drink as it does a beer. At any rate, it is quite delicious. Further notes that appear include a perfect flavor of roastiness that is so crisply, pleasantly acrid as well as hints of bittersweet chocolate and some fruity and toffee-like maltiness. Creamy feel. I like it. A lot. It really does remind me of iced coffee as much as beer.

Serving type: can

06-06-2011 18:09:36 | More by ktrillionaire

mdcrouser

Missouri

4.08/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

My first beer from Santa Fe Brewing - I've heard good things and am looking forward to this one. Great design too - ironically, created by a KC-based agency.

Looks outstanding from the can - a finger of a creamy sand-colored head caps this pint of intense darkness.

Some of the biggest coffee on the nose I've come across - very much a "breakfast-like" stout.

Percolating on the tongue, dark, coffee-heavy - much more pervasive and deep than actual coffee ever is. Reminds me of the few times I've had espresso. Wishing there was another layer to this one - vanilla, roasty, something else - just to provide a constrast.

Less creamy than I'd expected and hoped - pops a bit on the tongue instead.

This one's best with just a hint of chill left on it. In truth, room temperature is when coffee has the most flavor to it. That's the rule here as well. Heavy as it is, I could enjoy quite a bit of this - even at 8%, it seems like a big session beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 04:38:02 | More by mdcrouser