Beer Review: Carolina Brewery Jumpin' Bean Coffee Stout

As the old saying goes, "Support Your Local Brewery!" I've had numerous beers from Carolina Brewery, be it on tap at the brewery, at Tyler's or Village Draft House, or from a growler purchased at Sam's Blue Light or Whole Foods. I have developed the opinion that their seasonals tend to be much better than their year-round brews, which are mediocre at best. I was pleasantly surprised to find their latest seasonal available in growlers at Sam's was a coffee stout. I poured the beer into a Duvel snifter a nice opaque black with just a hint of ruby highlights and a thin diminishing head. The aroma was a decent amount of freshly brewed coffee blending nicely with roasted malts. The taste was a little heavy on the coffee, with a bit of bitterness, almost like coffee that's been sitting in the mug a bit too long, I've had my share of coffee stouts in the past few years, and it's become one of my favorite styles of beer, especially on a cold or chilly night, and this is one that just doesn't do it for me like most of the other one's I've tried. I guess I would say this one was worth trying, but not likely one I'd try again.