In 2016, Terrapin released a mixed 4-pack of coffee beers called Terrapin Single Origin Coffee Stout. Basically, it was the same base beer brewed with four different coffees from around the world, roasted locally by Jittery Joe’s in Athens, Georgia (just like Terrapin). Coffee beans were sourced from Ethiopia, Guatemala, Sumatra, and Hawaii.
For 2017, Terrapin decided to do it all again, but this time with a brown ale as a base. The coffees are different as well, still roasted at Jittery Joe’s but with origins in Kenya, Bali/Indonesia, Ecuador and Costa Rica. The third of these that I popped was Terrapin Single Origin Coffee Brown Ale Costa Rica.
Terrapin’s description:
Four distinct single origin coffees from around the world, each brewed with the same base ale.
Ingredients from the website:
HOPS: Willamette
MALTS: Two Row Silo, Munich II, Victory, Crystal 65, Special Roast, Crystal 85, Chocolate
Terrapin Single Origin Coffee Brown Ale Costa Rica has an alcohol content of 6.2% by volume with 30 IBUs. I paid $12.99 for the 4-pack, which is high but you are getting 4 different brews.
Now, I had sampled the Kenya varietal soon after buying the 4-pack. I'm drinking the Costa Rica on May 6th of 2018, so with some age, but it has aged well and I'm liking it more than I did the Kenya.
Terrapin Single Origin Coffee Brown Ale Costa Rica pours to a medium brown color with a soft creamy tan head and a robust coffee grind nose. Taking a sip, the beer has a quaint cookie like brown ale character at first followed by hints of light chocolate and permeating black coffee, coffee grind notes. It finishes gently roasty like a good cup of coffee. I have enjoyed these beers more with age than fresh.
A very, very tasty coffee ale, I'm getting more coffee flavor here than I did with the Kenya, and I like it all the more for that reason. This was my observation with the Ecuador as well. These beers have held up nicely over time (properly stored). Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go search in my beer fridge for the Bali/Indonesia to complete my collection.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft