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We took a couple of weeks off from this feature because well...shit's been busy yo. Defensive coordinators, 'crootin', etc... (I'll save a film study of the Texas Bowl for our more desperate times as a fun surprise). But we're back!
Winter (which, in theory anyway, is the season Baton Rouge is in right now) is always a great time to enjoy rich, thick, dark beers that give you that comforting feeling and kind of fill you up a bit. This week we'll take a look at Terrapin's Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal Stout, which I was able to pick up on draft at the Bulldog. I've yet to spot it in bottles anywhere.
Terrapin, which is out of Athens, Ga., has a very defined style that tends to go heavy on the specialty stuff. If you've followed this series, I documented my quest for their Liquid Bliss chocolate & peanut butter porter last year. Oddly enough, that's become a lot more readily available in the last few months, with a lot of grocery stores carrying it in six packs.
At 9.4 percent alcohol-by-volume, Wake-n-Bake is probably over the threshold for six-packs (I'm not sure on the laws there) but it's worth a drink on tap for sure.
Black as night, this coffee stout is thick, rich and full of real coffee flavor. Brewed with a special blend of beans from all over the world developed and roasted specifically for Terrapin by our friends at Jittery Joe's Coffee right here in Athens, GA. This unique blend of coffee produces a robust and flavorful beer that will leave you asking "Why not Beer?" for breakfast!
The Jittery Joe's Wake-n-Bake coffee blend is available for sale in our gift shop online and at the brewery!
Coffee: Premium blend of Costa Rican, Guatemalan, & Zimbabwe
Availablity: Winter
Review
The bouquet is kind of neutral for a beer that has some distinct aromatics...slightly malty. But that betrays the flavor, which is very distinct and hits your tongue quickly. There's a slightly sweet malty open, but you very quickly taste the roasted oats, with a hint of nutmeg and just a light splash of roasted coffee bitterness in the middle. The finish gives you a last bit of a brown sugar/cinnamon bowl of oatmeal. They're not kidding on the breakfast angle. It's not quite as refined as Founders Breakfast Stout, but there's a little more going on. It's also very filling -- not a session beer at all. Still, tremendously enjoyable. I give it a strong 4 out of 5 stars.