Earlier this month Double Mountain Brewery released its latest specialty/seasonal beer, Sweet Nothings, billed as a Blonde Coffee Stout. The brewery worked with 10-Speed Coffee Roasters and Ranger Chocolate (a collaborator on Chocolate Stout of the past few years), and sent me a bottle of the new beer to review.

I’ve had a number of blonde stouts over the years and even when they are good, I’m always still a bit skeptical of the overall concept. We’ll see how this version turns out.

Here’s the press release that accompanied the beer:

Prepare to be captivated by a sensory experience as Double Mountain Brewery & Cidery proudly presents its latest creation: Sweet Nothings Blonde Coffee Stout. This masterfully crafted beer is designed to make your senses play tricks on you, as the rich and diverse flavors weave an enchanting tapestry for your palate.

Close your eyes, take in your surroundings, and allow your senses to transport you to a world of flavor. Aromas of graham cracker, biscuit, coffee, and cocoa take center stage, luring you into a realm of indulgence. The journey doesn’t stop there; hidden beneath the surface are delicate notes of light vanilla, orange, and raspberry, ready to surprise and delight your taste buds.

What sets this brew apart is the meticulous selection of ingredients. In lieu of roasted barley, cocoa nibs and coffee were added at the end and after fermentation. Brewed with precision, this beer features specially chosen beans from 10-Speed Coffee Roasters in Mosier. These beans infuse the beer with the bold and satisfying essence of coffee, making it a perfect choice for coffee lovers and beer enthusiasts alike.

But the magic doesn’t end with coffee. Sweet Nothings Blonde Coffee Stout also boasts the inclusion of cocoa nibs sourced from Ranger Chocolate in Portland. This collaboration adds an alluring cocoa complexity to the brew, creating the sweet illusion of a traditional stout while retaining a mesmerizing golden hue.

To enhance your Sweet Nothings Blonde Coffee Stout experience, an accompanying Spotify playlist has been curated and is printed on the label. This curated playlist is thoughtfully designed to complement the beer’s flavor and profile, creating a multisensory journey that engages both your taste and auditory senses.

Don’t miss the opportunity to embark on this flavor-filled journey. Discover the enchantment, explore the illusion, and let your senses run wild with Sweet Nothings Blonde Coffee Stout.

Sweet Nothings Blonde Coffee Stout | 5.8% ABV 17 BU
Let your senses fool you. Close your eyes. Take in your surroundings and take a sniff and a sip. Graham cracker, biscuit, coffee, and cocoa sing lead, with light vanilla, orange, and raspberry following close behind. With brewer selected beans from 10-Speed Coffee Roasters in Mosier, and cocoa nibs from Ranger Chocolate in Portland, we get the sweet illusion of a stout with a golden hue.