Lips Of Faith - Imperial Coffee Chocolate Stout - New Belgium Brewing

beagle75

Iowa

2.8/5  rDev -29.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

Poured from a bomber into a tulip glass.

A: Opaque, dark brown color with less than one finger of diminishing mocha-tinted foam head. Light lacing remains on the glass.

S: Robust brewed coffee is foremost, seeming to account for all of the dark qualities present. Baked goods, more biscuit than cookie, are also present. No alcohol is detected.

T: Begins off-dry, with chocolate pudding, pipe tobacco, and acidic spent coffee grounds that spill well into the middle. Eventually a hard mineral quality replaces the acidity, like salt substitute, combining with malt qualities to suggest pretzel rind in the bitter-coffee finish. No alcohol is detected.

M: Medium to thick viscosity, labile and astringent on the palate, with moderate carbonation.

D/O: As advertised by the coffee-shop waitress on the label, this beer caters to coffee devotees. Coffee dominates the smell, in a fairly appealing way, as well as the flavor, to disastrous effect. It is not smooth, decadent, or rewarding--as a stout should be. Instead it channels coffee at its least enticing, after it has been sensibly rejected by discerning palates.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 04:09:46 | More by beagle75

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.8/5  rDev -4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

16 ounce pint - $6.75 at Taco Mac in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Appearance: Dispensed a very dark brown body, I think. I mean, they've got some dim-lighting in here tonight, allowing the Christmas lights to light the joint. Oh, topped with a finger of dusky, beige suds.

Smell: You've got your notes of roasted malt, chocolate, and coffee -- yep, it's a coffee-chocolate stout, alright.

Taste: An expected start of roasty grains, dark chocolate, bold coffee, and even some dark caramel. Then, the chocolate and coffee flavors exponentiate. Scant perceived fruitiness. A little acidity. Some bitterness, not much, and some alcohol warmth presenting itself. Roasty, choco-coffee finish with some more alcoholic heat.

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Medium carbonation. It's lightly velvety.

Overall: It's pleasant enough, though not overly complex; it never strays beyond the implied "coffee" and "chocolate" in its moniker.

Serving type: on-tap

12-25-2012 16:01:09 | More by ChainGangGuy

Bung

North Carolina

3.63/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz. It's pretty much black, thin layer of cream colored head. Laces the glass just a bit.

Aroma, roast malt and heavier coffee. Some dark chocolate and cocoa.

Taste, roast malt and some chocolates. Dominated by coffee though, but there is a slight cardboard accompanying it. The coffee is just a tad acrid. It just doesn't blend well enough.

The likedness to straight coffee is present in the slightly thinner body. Carb is good though, almost creamy and the abv is hidden.

Normally like the big coffee stouts, actually any coffee stouts. There is just room for improvement here, like most non pale/sour NB brews. Too much straight black coffee, the best are more mocha lattes.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 04:08:26 | More by Bung

Florida9

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Very dark brown, but appears to be a glossy black in the glass. Forms a small-to-moderate sized tan colored head that reduces fairly quickly to a thin surface coating and a small, but stable, collar. Some very light lacing.

S: Coffee, chocolate, cocoa, and roasted malts. Some light molasses and brown sugar along with a mild earthy mushroom scent.

T: Taste starts off with a very mild sweetness and some sour coffee. Notes of bitter dark chocolate. There is a touch of vanilla and some heavy roasted malts. Finishes with a not overly pleasant aftertaste of cheap, black coffee.

M: On the heavier side of medium, but thin for the style. Slightly acidic, but not "sour" in the lactic/acetic connotation of the word. Moderate roasted malt type bitterness.

O: Well, this beer delivers on both the coffee and chocolate from where it gets its name. Unfortunately, this is cheap coffee and not very good chocolate. Overall, a decent beer. Lighter body does make it more drinkable than most Imperial Stouts, but, then again, Imp Stouts aren't exactly known for their drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2012 02:59:53 | More by Florida9

riored4v

Colorado

4.23/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured in to a tulip with a pitch black body. 1 finger, tan head. Good amounts of lacing.

Aroma was big on chocolate and coffee. Moderate amounts of roast. Slight earthy bitterness. Notes of biscuit. Malty and mild sweetness.

Taste was big chocolate upfront that turned to a mild sweetness. Some biscuity, roasty flavors are quickly followed with coffee. Notes of raisin and dark fruit. A bit earthy. FInishes with a mild bitterness more of a bitter chocolate.

Mouthfeel was creamy and smooth upfront that finished with a crisp mouthfeel. Medium body and no signs of ABV.

Good beer overall. A bit bitter in the finish, but solid chocolate and coffee flavors.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2012 01:40:42 | More by riored4v

CommanderOfAwesome

California

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

2012 bottle poured in a snifter.

A: Pours like most Imperial Stouts, doesn't stand out, but looks delicious none the less. No head to speak of with some alcohol legs present.

S: Coffee is right. Right away first whiff hit with strong coffee aroma. Not getting a huge roasty-ness, more of an ice coffee aroma. Not getting much else, but it hits the coffee mark.

T: Highly drinkable, smooth though a tad slight for an Imperial Stout. Not as thin as Drakonic mind you. Some slight bitterness from the hops at the end. Little chocolate as well.

M: Medium bodied and creamy. Lot of action on the tongue.

O: A very solid highly drinkable beer. It hits the mark as a coffee Imperial Stout but not a lot else going on here. Not very complex, which is fine. Great drinkable beer, probably more drinkable than most Double/Imperial Stouts. I could definitely see me having a few of these on draft at the local pub.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 05:22:18 | More by CommanderOfAwesome

Zorro

California

4.03/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Light proof black colored beer with a tall brown colored head. This on is very dark.

Smell is strongly of chocolate and espresso with a strong toasted grain aroma. Not super complex but the scent screams chocolate and coffee.

Starts out sweet with a strong chocolate flavor. Coffee is strong and tasty. Little bit of of Kahlua taste to it. Again not complex but it nails the expected flavors perfectly.

Mouthfeel is good.

A very competent coffee and chocolate beer. Sure it could be more complex but it nails the taste of chocolate and coffee.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 01:23:53 | More by Zorro

Gregfalone

California

5/5  rDev +26.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from a bomber into my newcastle goblet.

This pours jet-black, not a trace of light comes through, even when held up to light. Aggressive pour yields about an inch of beige head that fades to a thin film after a few minutes. Looks perfect

Smells strongly of chocolate, and coffee, with a slight tinge of alcohol.

The taste starts with very strong black coffee like you'ld get at a truckstop/diner with chocolate malt in the finish. I can not taste any alcohol here. I'm impressed!

Mouth feel is pretty thick and wet, and the carbonation is there, but feels soft and welcoming.

Overall this is a delicious beer. It reminds me of ballast point victory at sea without the vanilla, or alcohol burn. I'd put it right up there at the top.
This is a beer I will definitely be drinking again. I hate to give all 5's, but I can't find any faults in this beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 07:18:12 | More by Gregfalone

bigfnjoe

Pennsylvania

2.95/5  rDev -25.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured from a bomber into a pint glass

A- pours black with a paper thin brown head that quickly fades away to nothingness, leaving me extremely dissatisfied even after an aggressive pour

S- a strong coffee aroma comes through in the nose, but there's no chocolate to speak of at all. The coffee smells real nice, but it's very one dimensional

T- burnt coffee and bitter chocolate. Sure, it delivers on the promised flavors, but it's not really pleasant at all.

M- extremely thick and full-bodied. This is where the beer truly shines....the body is pretty incredible

O- swing....and a mess. New Belgium is very hit or miss with these Lips of Faith beers....this one was a big whiff IMO

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 02:54:15 | More by bigfnjoe

Beaver13

Colorado

4.03/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle. Pours dark brown black with a medium creamy tan head that retains well and laces the glass.

The aroma is sweet lactic chocolate and coffee roast with a slight amount of vegetables.

The flavor is sweet lactic chocolate and a lot of roasted malt and coffee and a bit of alcohol. The mouthfeel is medium to full bodied with low carbonation.

Overall, a nice coffee stout. Sweet with the lactic chocolate, but nice coffee and the roast balances it out. Not top tier, but great value.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 02:31:06 | More by Beaver13

zeff80

Missouri

3.88/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a jet-black color with a one-finger, light brown head of bubbly foam. It left thin rings of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of coffee and chocolate. Some light caramel notes.

T - It tasted very roasty with espresso and dark chocolate flavors. A touch of molasses and piney bitterness.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied ale with a dry, clean finish.

O - This is a pretty good coffee stout. Another fine Lips of Faith series brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 01:20:20 | More by zeff80

mynie

Indiana

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

Something starting to irk me--and I don't mean to call out New Belgium in particular, since lots of breweries do this--but I hate this conflation between double stouts and imperial stouts. Is there a reason the "imperial" tag can't be reserved for Russian Imperials?

Anyhow, onto the beer. It's a dark pour, nearly opaque, with a solid brown head, thick and only lightly fizzy. Smells of very sweet chocolate with just a hint of roasted coffee bitterness.

Tastes like it smells: a fairly standard, strong mocha stout with decent balance. Starts off with big nodes of coffee, moving into a sweeter, chocolatey middle, and ending on mild nodes of spice, bitter stout barley, and alcohol. Not particularly complex, and the back end gets a little weak, but overall quite solidly done.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 19:34:09 | More by mynie

tectactoe

Michigan

3.83/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

On tap at the Oak Cafe. Pours a deep brown and black color with a light-brown head that was thin and faded to nothing more than a ring around the glass within minutes; no lacing to speak of. Smells of sweet coffee and creamer hit the nose first. Packed with dense, concentrated coffee flavors, this one smells sweet and powerful. Some cocoa and roasted notes on the sides, but the coffee is certainly what dominates.

Same goes for the taste - this is a coffee stout, through and though. Chocolate plays a secondary role. Sweetened, sugar & cream coffee up front; lots of sweetness, roasted malts, and some lightly burnt sugar. As the beer warms on the palate, some more dark, bitter notes come alive, but still remain very reminiscent of coffee, only this time, a strong, black, bitter coffee. The lingering sweetness hides this fading bitterness very much, however. Some black licorice and toasted cocoa beans make their way into things near the end, along with a generic roasted malt flavor, but again - coffee is the leader, here. Slight hint of alcohol near the end on the very back of the tongue. Dense body, thick, lightly syrupy, sticky, heavy, low carbonation.

This is certainly one for coffee lovers everywhere. Very sticky, sweet, and dense coffee aromas and flavors. This reminds me of the concentrate that Tim Hortons and Dunkin' Donuts use for their iced cappuccinos - you know, before it gets mixed with cream and ice. Almost a touch too sweet for my liking, meaning I could never have more than one. But it does make a nice dessert beer on occasion.

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2012 12:33:49 | More by tectactoe

ThickNStout

Georgia

3.75/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle from Sprayberry Bottle Shop (Marietta, GA). 8.99. Bottled 11/05/12 (I think, but the code is smeared). Served in a Sweetwater snifter.

Pours near black with a finger and a half muted tan head that fades quickly but leaves large sheets of lace.

Smells of cold coffee, cocoa and roasty malts.

Tastes of bold roasty coffee, chocolate, burnt wood and a healthy kick of booze. The alcohol isn't over bearing but it sure isn't hidden.

Creamy medium feel with moderate carbonation. Long aftertaste of bitter cocoa-laden coffee.

A solid, well brewed imperial coffee chocolate stout. It doesn't really put other familiar/ similar seasonal releases to shame but it is a tasty stout. Being a fan of imperial coffee stouts I'll enjoy a couple more of these while they are around.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 06:14:55 | More by ThickNStout

Vonerichs

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Dark brown, almost black color with an inch of dense coffee colored head.

The smell is all coffee, but stale coffee with a little cardboard.

Coffee and chocolate flavored make it two dimensional, but they are pronounced. The finish is bitter coffee grounds.

Medium bodied with average carbonation. A touch creamy.

Overall, it's a decent stout that over performs its $6 price tag, for sure.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 03:03:26 | More by Vonerichs

nUgZ

North Carolina

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

22 ounce bomber poured into a snifter.

A: Pours a almost black color with a 2 finger head and decent lacing.

S: Mostly aromas of chocolate and coffee with some roasted malts as well.

T: Chocolate along with some overcooked coffee flavors. Roasted malts, but hardly any alcohol detectable.

M: Medium bodied with light to moderate carbonation.

O: For the price, this is a decent Imperial Stout. It's not unpleasant, but not impressive. It lacks the complexity of the really good Imperial Stouts available these days. I wouldn't mind having it again, but I would seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 00:37:41 | More by nUgZ

mntlover

Tennessee

3.43/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a black not overly thick but dark anyway nice two finger coco head falls to scum and laces well.

Aroma is light roasted malts, some descent caramel notes lots of added chocolate almost like chocolate milk. Some light coffee but mostly just added chocolate coming through.

Taste is like the aroma light roasted notes but lots of chocolate milk like flavors with light coffee hints. Some light bitterness in finish from hops.

Mouthfeel is only little more then medium with carbonation that is on the mellow side.

Overall pretty average stout, would not of guessed it was an impy stout without looking at the bottle. Not as good as most NB brews kind of sad but not really bad just not great like it should be.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 00:16:27 | More by mntlover

kojevergas

California

3.23/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

1 pint 6 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap acquired at a local beer store and served into a New Belgium stem-goblet in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are above average given the brewery and style. 9% ABV confirmed.

Served after a twenty minute warming period following its removal from the fridge. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours a 2.5 finger mocha-khaki head of lovely cream lacing, great thickness, and very good retention for the high ABV. Body colour is a dark solid black. Nontransparent/opaque. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Looks about right for the style, though I prefer the head colour to be much darker. There's nothing unique or special about it.

Sm: Uh-oh. A mess of slightly stale coffee, overdone caramel, middling roast, and artificial cocoa. The coffee is dominant. A strong aroma, but not a great one. Still, it's bold and evocative - and I appreciate that. No yeast or alcohol is detectable.

T: Chocolate and slightly stale overdone coffee. Dark malts. Pleasant cream - a redeeming attribute. Coffee is definitely dominant, to its detriment and my chagrin. In spite of its imbalance, it's decently built for a budget imperial stout. I do like it. Some earthiness hiding beneath the late second act dark malt foundation. t has a nice roasty backbone - a feature too often absent from imperial stouts. Still, it's severely lacking in complexity and subtlety given the style. No yeast or alcohol comes through. There's not enough here to distinguish it from the countless other good-but-not-great examples of the style.

Mf: Nicely creamy - a highlight of the beer. Has a bit of a dry edge, but it tames it and comes out largely wet. Smooth throughout, but not sleek or milky. Carbonation is good, if slightly overdone. Thick enough. Pretty good presence on the palate. Complements the flavours fairly well, but it doesn't feel custom-tailored to them.

Dr: Drinkable but largely forgettable. If you're going to play at the big boy's table, you've got to bring the cajones. This is pretty solid for its price point, but I see no need to trifle with it again. A pedestrian imperial stout from New Belgium. Might be worthwhile on nitro-draught.

High C+

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 04:52:30 | More by kojevergas

AgentZero

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Was looking for something to drink, this seemed like a bargain buy at $5.99 for the bomber at Whole Foods.

A - Black beer with two fingers off-brown colored head. Lots of splotches and trails left on the sides of the glass. Opaque.

S - Lots of coffee with just the faintest hint of chocolate. Some nice roast. A pretty nice smelling beer, straight forward, no real surprises.

T - Taste is mostly coffee, with a nice strong non-bitter taste. There is a touch of chocolate in there with some toasted malts and a good bit of roast. Slight souring on the end, finishes a bit milky.

M - Overly carbonated at first, a bit prickly. Gets better with some swirls. Medium bodied.

O - Starts out good, other than the carbonation. At the end it leaves you lacking somehow, but it's not a bad beer. Fine for the bomber price, solid, but nothing spectacular.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 04:03:27 | More by AgentZero

divineaudio

Michigan

3.8/5  rDev -4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

bomber into my deschutes snifter.

a - pours black with a finger thick, rocky, light brown head. after calming i get a thin film and big sheets of lacing in the glass.

s - smells like a mocha milkshake. good, but has a bit of an artificial quality to it.

t - pretty much like it smells. big coffee and dark chocolate flavors with plenty of roasted and burnt malts. has some faint dark fruity notes in there as well. a little on the sweet and artificial side but pretty well put together.

m - full bodied, medium carbonation, finer co2 profile. has a nice smoothness and faint alcohol warming.

o - was pleasantly surprised by this one. a little rough around the edges and doesn't quite have the depth of something like fbs, but still enjoyable. a must try for stout lovers.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 02:09:18 | More by divineaudio

larryi86

Delaware

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

22 oz bottle poured into a New Belgium glass

A- Black with a three finger mocha head.

S- Roasted coffee, some dark chocolate.

T- Roasted coffee, some milk chocolate, bitter coffee finish, nice balance between bitter and sweet.

M- Smooth, medium body.

O- A tasty coffee beer worth trying. I was really hoping for more out of the Lips of Faith, but this is still a good beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 01:45:50 | More by larryi86

ngeunit1

California

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

A - Pours a dark black with a touch of brown mixed in with a finger of frothy chocoalte colored head atop. The head fades at a normal pace leaving behind some nice lacing.

S - Aroma is full of roasted chocolate malts and coffee with osme vanilla, black licorice, lactose, and a touch of booze.

T - Starts off with a mix of roasted milk chocoalte malts with some black lirocie and vanilla. Through the middle, lots of roasted coffee comes through with some earthy hops, and some molasses. The finish is a mix of roasted coffee and chocoalte with some molassses, black lirorice, and a touch of booze.

M - Medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth with a sweet, roasted, and warming finish.

D - Very drinkable. Great balance with good coffee and chocoalte flavors.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 04:27:52 | More by ngeunit1

whendeathsleeps

Indiana

4.58/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Pours black, two finger of tan head, beautiful retention and lacing, this one is simply amazing looking.

S- Mocha, fresh espresso coffee, bold, roasty, milk chocolate. The smell is incredible.

T- Cocoa up front, toasty malt, milk chocolaty, some lactose sweetness, earthy bitterness, just enough to perfectly balance things out.

M- Only low point (albeit a small one) is that it is a little thin for an imperial stout, moderately carbonated, dry finish.

O- Awesome, so perfectly balanced. Correct me if I am wrong, but this is New Belgium's first stout, and it is a damn fine one. Will have again. Going to grab up some and a age a few.

Solidifies my love for New Belgium. Would love it if they made this a regular.

Try this one for sure.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 16:48:35 | More by whendeathsleeps

drabmuh

Maryland

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

Beer served in a New Belgium globe glass, great glass, pretty good beer. Beer is black with a two finger head of small bubbles, tan, nice retention, some lacing, low carbonation.

Aroma is chocolate and coffee, nice a little sweet, smells like milk chocolate.

Beer is medium in body, sweet, chocolate, nice coffee roast bitterness at the back end, very nice beer. I'd have ti again.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2012 16:44:30 | More by drabmuh

ChugginOil

Illinois

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

Pours a deep black-hole color with a few inches of light tan head. Clumpy lacing.

The nose presents fresh coffee grounds up front with some sweet chocolate and roasted malts. The coffee is fresh and clear. Loving the coffee nose here.

The flavors are coffee prominant and guidline the flavor of this brew. Dry bakers chocolate makes it's way after the coffee onslaught. Some roasted malts and a bit of hop bitterness linger.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with a dry feel due to the coffee and bakers chocolate characteristics. Moderate carbonation.

Overall, I would list this as a breakfast stout that kills Founders BFS this year (2012) in flavor. I choose this!

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2012 08:05:05 | More by ChugginOil