Samuel Adams Black and Brew is a new addition to this season's "Winter Classic Variety Pack" by the Boston Brewing Co. It is a Coffee Stout that uses 1.5 lbs of Sumatran coffee beans per barrel. The beans are added late in the brewing process, and this helps to produce a very heavy coffee flavor.
Black and Brew pours dark chocolate brown with a brown sugar colored head that forms a constant froth ring that hugs the contour of the glass after it settles. The aroma is similar to that sense awakening smell of fresh brewed morning coffee with notes of chocolate. This stout has a really nice flavor. Notes of bittersweet chocolate and a rich with coffee, along with a subtle hint of fruit. Nice carbonation, just enough to give this stout a creamy body, yet mellow enough to make this brew smooth and very drinkable. The finish is wet, and ends with a lingering mocha flavor. The 5.8% ABV is unbelievably masked.
I was very impressed with this stout. I'm a heavy coffee drinker and really enjoyed the flavors that were going on in this brew. If this brew was available in a six pack I'd experiment by adding cream, or a shot of baileys. Yet since it is limited, I recommend enjoying this brew naturally. If you like coffee and stout, I'm sure you'll love this brew. And it's cheaper than a $5 Grande Decaf Mochachino with an extra shot and no froth. Save yourself the trip and the money.
Pairing/ Recommendations
Forget the Bloody Mary's with brunch, I say pour yourself a nice glass of Samuel Adams Black and Brew. Enjoy with scones, tea cakes, or anything else you normally enjoy with coffee. This brew would also make a great transitional coffee-to-beer or beer-to-coffee brew, or an after dinner treat with dessert. Lots of possibilities with this stout.
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