Temps in the 90s, scattered storms through the area. And I have to start my weekend events listing… tomorrow. So I have time to pop another beer that has been sent to me, this time by Founders Brewing Co.
Sumatra Mountain Brown is an imperial brown ale made with Sumatra coffee. Founders’ info sheet says the beer:
“first made its debut in last year’s specialty series and returns as a bold addition with a substantial 9% ABV. This full-bodied ale gets its depth from a team of malts including Caramel malt for sweetness, flaked barley for dense foam, a bit of Chocolate malt for its deep color and Aromatic and Munich malts to add even more depth. German and Perle hops balance this malty sweetness by adding a touch of bitterness.”
Most of us do like the little boost of coffee in beer, although when it’s added to a high-alcohol brew, there’s always the chance it will make you wired, yet groggy. But let’s give this one a pop.
The first pour, into a suitable goblet, is a deep dark coffee brown, with a foamy head this side of tan colored. The smell is almost saccharine, but thankfully not too strong, lending a big note of mocha java. Just a bit of roasty malt behind it.
The taste loses the sweet from the nose, trading in for a warm, alcoholic strong beer taste. There is definitely a blonde roast coffee taste, which goes to one part of my head while the alcohol goes to another. Part of that might be due to the hot weather I’ve been enjoying. Okay, not enjoying. I detect very little hop bitterness, unless that’s what I’m sensing at the malt roast. Either way, there’s clearly something keeping the sweetness and alcohol from swarming my senses. However, there is a slightly sugary cola flourish at the end.
Another strong, dark beer from Founders that works best as dessert. It would be worth getting a couple of bottles for cellaring and tasting at intervals.
