When you combine the Chicago Beer scene with the equally phenomenal Coffee scene– great things happen to your mouth. Some coffee infused beers are served year ’round, such as Aquanaut Brewing, but most tend to be seasonal and available in the colder months of the year. However– Dark Lord, by 3 Floyds, is only available one day a year..in April. The majority of Chicago beer and coffee creations stay true to the city by collaborating with local Chicago coffee roasters– two of the most popular being Dark Matter Coffee and Intelligentsia. The coffee taste is typically complimented by a stout, porter or a brown ale– since the creamy richness of those styles can tame down the bitterness of some coffee. Plus, many dark beers have hints of chocolate– and I am a sucker for coffee and candy.
However, the Graveyard Shift Coffee Pale Ale by Arcade Brewery breaks away from that tradition and infuses a lighter, hoppier beer to create a unique tasting experience.
Coffee beans backgroundThere is even an event called Uppers & Downers that is dedicated to this whole Chicago beer and coffee infusion craze. It is a celebration of both the Chicago beer and coffee scenes– which have a lot more in common than one may think. Many of the breweries that showed up created infusions only served at Uppers & Downers, so if this is your cup of tea (or beer or coffee..) then I suggest you look into it. 2015 was their first year, but hopefully this will turn into an annual event and continue to grow and push the limits.
Chicago Beer Infused Coffee ..or the other way around:
Big Hugs – Half Acre
Russian Imperial Stout | 10.00% ABV
Bourbon Country Coffee Stout – Goose Island
American Double / Imperial Stout | 13.40% ABV
Cappuccino Stout – Lagunitas
American Double / Imperial Stout | 9.20% ABV
Coffee Eugene – Revolution
American Porter | 7.00% ABV
Coffee Tough Guy – Begyle
American Brown Ale | 5.60% ABV
Creepy Barista – Solemn Oath
American Brown Ale | 6.60% ABV
Dark Lord – 3 Floyds
Russian Imperial Stout | 15.00% ABV
Fulton Street Blend – Goose Island
American Blonde Ale | 5.50% ABV
G.F.Y. Coffee Stout – Spiteful
American Stout | 8.00% ABV
Ghost Freight Coffee Stout – Flossmoor Station
Nitro Stout | 6.00% ABV
Graveyard Shift Coffee Pale Ale – Arcade
American Pale Ale (APA) | 7.00% ABV
Misterioso Coffee Porter – Aquanaut
American Porter | 6.30% ABV
Mourning Wood – Local Option
American Amber / Red Ale | 7.30% ABV
Northwind Imperial Stout – Two Brothers
Russian Imperial Stout | 9.10% ABV
Yodo Con Leche – 5 Rabbit Cerveceria
American Porter | 8.20% ABV
Occasionally special releases will pop up at different breweries, so it is best to follow your favorite breweries on Social Media to stay up to date with all of their releases.
Who makes your favorite coffee infused creation? Leave us a comment below.
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