Indeed Burr Grinder Coffee Ale

Indeed Burr Grinder Coffee Ale.

Murky mahogany hue, slim whitish head.

Aroma: earthy, fruity coffee notes, with cocoa hints right behind.

Taste: there it is, again, full forward coffee flavors without dark malts to muddy it up and blend in, or any other flavors to compete with or complement  them. It's not often we find a coffee "ale", rather than a stout or porter; in fact, I've seen coffee lagers before I've heard of any "ales." Bit of a bold move to try it out this time, but I like it. A little juicy, only a small bit bitter, and ending on a dry notes. Medium bodied, lingering finish, ends easily in the mouth and off the palate.

Let's take a peek at the label copy: "This collaboration has been ‘brewing’ for quite some time. Indeed Brewing Company partnered with their neighbors at Dogwood Coffee to create Burr Grinder “Beer Coffee”. After searching for the perfect coffee, 90-pounds of Guatemalan Finca Rosma was steeped in the brew kettle before we topped-off the finished beer with 54-gallons of cold press.

Delivering an intense coffee punch while preserving the delicate aromas of the complex beans, Burr Grinder will have you wondering whether you’re a beer geek or a coffee geek. (5.1% ABV, 13 IBU)."

So, there. I'm a coffee drinker, not a coffee "geek", but maybe Burr Grinder will have me re-think that after all. This is tasty stuff here and it really serves to deliver the complexities and rich flavors that get hidden when coffee is added to a darker ale. I've got to say it again, Indeed is finding some fresh expressions where other breweries go the same ol' path. Cheers to them.

This one is reviewed from a bottle that I bought at the taproom when I was in the area a few weeks ago to bring my Surly Two painting to the Altered Esthetics gallery for the "Brewers Craft" exhibit running through April. (The piece is actually hanging not at the gallery, but on the walls of the hallway leading to Indeed's taproom, a few blocks away. If you visit Indeed in April and ever need to pee, you'll see it.) I have a keg of it for the Nile, but won't tap it for several weeks, and couldn't wait to take notes.