Ithaca Excelsior! Kaffinator Double Espresso Bock

Brewed by Ithaca Beer Company
Style: Doppelbock
Ithaca, New York USA

Date: 12/16/2007
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting, Cellar Party

clear dark brown, wispy beige head, bits of lace, sweet dark caramel malt aroma offset by a coffee character, big roasted coffee flavor, a touch of ashy character, dark caramel sweetness tries to come in for balanc but falls short, bitter dark roast finish,

Aroma: 5/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 5/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 9/20
Rating: 2.5/5.0
Drinkability: 6/10
Score: *4

Suprised that the head didn’t last longer and the nose was a tad weak. But after that, it is all downhill- very smooth across the tongue and a lovely sweet malt element that blends well with the coffee notes.

Wow. This was really dark and coffee like. I enjoyed this. Very smooth and delicious. Hard to describe, but this is a beer that, if it was cheaper, I would go back to again and again. Warm and delish.

12.23.07 750ml at tsarman’s apartment. A scrumlicious dark NON-stout coffee flavor. Really enjoyed this.

Draft at Hop Devil. Strong, balanced coffee aroma. Good chocolate, nice and dry, cream flavors. Thick, rich, creamy, and dangerously drinkable. Way underrated if you ask me, but maybe the kegs came out better than the bottles.

Bottle sampled on 9/14/07: Pours a barely transparent dark mahogany with a nicely-lacing dark tan head. Aroma of sweet biscuity milk chocolate and espresso beans. Body starts with nice viscosity and sweet dark caramel and chocolate with good coffee balance. Finishes earthy and doughy sweet with nice complexity.

(bottle - 750 ml) Dark brown pour with a generous amount of tan foam and good carbonation. Aroma isn’t as intense as expected. Very light coffee aroma with some cream and a light touch of caramel. Flavor is quite intense. Smooth and slightly sweet coffee flavor at the beginning with a little cream in the middle and a touch of yeast, followed by a very bitter and roasted coffee finish. Finishes very smooth with a touch of sweet cream. Very, very nice.

Poured a dark black and tasted like chocolate and coffewith some hops mixed in. It seemed to me to be more of a stout than a double bock. I expected the caffeine in the espresso to keep me awake, however I didn’t notice that it was present. This was a very nice beer that my son shared with me. I would definately try this again (if he buys it!)