Shiver Coffee Stout Beer

I tried this unique beer from Bombastic Brewing; it’s called Shiver Coffee Stout. The supposed coffee flavor isn’t the only thing about it that caught my interest; its 10.5% alcohol content made it a must try. After perusing the shelf of commercial micro-brews, the Shiver won the buzz giver award. It came in a four pack, and justifiably so for us light weights. And I will say its 10.5% did not disappoint. It is stout beer.

My first impression, after a big drink, was that this is definitely dark beer. I’m not sure if my taste is consistent, black coffee and dark beer, but I’ll take it over tea and IPA. Its dark flavor made an impression. According to the can, “look for waves of dark chocolate, vanilla, and hints of molasses.” As an afterthought, they tell you, “Add Thomas Hamer cold brew coffee.” With my first taste, I was quickly aware of the beer’s dark flavor. My tongue was enriched with a thick alcoholic aftertaste broadened by intense smokey tartness, which I am accustomed to. I enjoyed the dark beer texture, but what was I tasting? I felt like I was tasting burnt morning brew, but there was something else. After a second can I had a few sips and figured it out, molasses. I had to sip the beer to get a better perspective on its flavor. The chocolate and vanilla contradictions were absent. With big gulps, it is beer after all, I felt like a burnt coffee flavor dominated. With sips, I could distinguish properly brewed coffee sweetened with molasses.

I never believed that beer was for sipping. I can say this beer is worth trying whether you gulp it or sip it. But I would not have suspected sipping beer would make such a flavorful difference.

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