Name: Shiga Kogen Imperial Coffee Porter (2020) FINCA LOS CONGOS “Pacamara” Nicaragua
Brewer: Tamamura Honten Co., Trunk Coffee (Japan)
Style: Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer (Base Style: Baltic Porter)
ABV: 8%
Review Year: 2020
Nagano meets Nagoya for this Shiga Kogen Imperial Coffee Porter brewed by Tamamura Honten Co. This Baltic or Imperial Porter was created with Finca Los Congos coffee beans roasted by Trunk Coffee.
The Paguaga family has been cultivating Finca Los Congos in San Fernando, Nicaragua since 1997. Descriptors of this coffee include “complex, pungently juicy” and “sweet-toned, soft lively acidity” among others.
STYLE GUIDELINES
This beer is being evaluated as a Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer (30A) with the Baltic Porter (9C) as the base style in the context of the 2015 Beer Style Guidelines of the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). The most current version of the guidelines can be found on the BJCP website.
TASTING NOTES
Clear deep brown with a light brown head. Aromas of earthy-spicy coffee with a caramel undertone were noted. Surprisingly light-medium bodied; carbonation is fairly below moderate. The mentioned coffee character returns but exhibits an over-extracted and slightly tannic trait. Hints of anise and cinnamon; medium and roasty malt backbone. The aftertaste lingers as it recalls the coffee flavors, but leaves the palate slightly puckering and dry.
THE VERDICT
Good, but this Imperial Coffee Porter pales in comparison to the other beers we have reviewed from Tamamura Honten so far. First, we think the body is too light for a Baltic Porter, even if the coffee addition is considered. Second, the over-extracted coffee and tannic character can still be improved on. The appearance and the aroma, however, are noteworthy aspects of this beer.
We look forward to its future iterations that may feature other types of coffee beans.
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