Hardywood Park Sidamo Coffee Stout
Sometimes, all it takes is a quick sniff to let you know that you are in for a treat of a beer. That’s the first impression that I got from Hardywood Park’s Sidamo Coffee Stout. It’s a similar experience I had when first encountering Flying Dog’s Kujo, an example of the style that has become one of my regional favorites — if I were able to find Hardywood’s product as easily as I can Kujo, it very well could end up being my go-to coffee stout.
Weighing in at 9.3% ABV (55 IBU), Sidamo Coffee Stout certainly isn’t a small brew. It’s a solid Russian Imperial Stout that incorporates roasted Sidamo coffee from Richmond’s Lamplighter Roasting Company. The result is a beer that packs plenty of coffee/espresso character into a full bodied brew, but without the typical astringency sometimes associated with dark coffee.
Appearance
As you can see, this brew pours dark. A solid cap of brown foam rests atop the opaque black liquid, fading slowly to a thin ring around the glass.
Aroma
Smooth, roasted coffee fills the nose immediately while dark chocolate undertones and an earthy character linger. The beer smells fairly decadent, but not in a sweet fashion.
Taste
This beer certainly lives up to the expectations that the initial impression from the aroma hinted at. The overall flavor of the brew is smooth with a clean, dark roast coffee/espresso notes. As stated above, even at 55 IBU, there isn’t any lingering coffee astringency to distract from hints of chocolate and a soft, distant char. The alcohol is masked fairly well, only showing itself late in the drying finish.
Overall
Sidamo Coffee Stout does not disappoint! Rich coffee, earthy undertones and an overall smooth decadence make for a tremendous experience. I’ve enjoyed this beer several times over the past couple of months and each time, the beer delivers a solid drinking experience.
Rating: 4.25/5
