It is always a joyous occasion to try a new coffee stout! Today it is Sad Panda from Horse & Dragon Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado.

The nose is coffee and vanilla; as I have said before, I don’t have a great nose. The coffee notes seem most likely to be Sumatran coffee giving that bold, rich flavor with mild acidity and bitterness. There are vanilla notes and a slight sweetness in this light-bodied stout.

Very easy to drink, and it is hard to believe this stout comes in at 6.8% ABV. An enjoyable stout, even in the middle of summer!

On the Holy Grail Scale of Coffee Stouts, I give Sad Panda a 7.

Cheers!