Cappuccino Stout

Cappuccino Stout is an Imperial Stout by the Lagunitas Brewing Company of Petaluma, CA.

Coffee and beer share a common history.  Cappuccino Stout was one of the earliest beers to utilize coffee, but today coffee beers are common and are added to various styles, including IPAs.


This is a limited, annual release that is bottled in November every year. It has an ABV of 9%.

The beer pours a dark black, with a small, tan head that leaves thin lacings. The aroma has light, sweet coffee with hints of fruity hops. The taste is a blend of chocolate malts, dark roast coffee, vanilla, and a slight bitter bite at the creamy end, although there is balance of sweetness that subdues the bite.

After a few sips the alcohol taste is slightly noticeable at the end. The mouthfeel is rich and smooth, with a thick body, but not as thick as you might expect from such a rich flavored stout. The carbonation is low, but keeps a nice effervescence.

Overall, I like this beer. There are plenty of coffee flavored beers on the market, with bigger coffee flavors, but Lagunitas strives to strike a balance with the traditional sweet stout flavors and it succeeds. If you're looking for big coffee flavor, this is not your beer. But if you want a subtle coffee experience this is a good one to try. I suggest you Try It.