Doom Forge Coffee Stout - Jester King Review
It’s always a pleasure to come across a new release from such a revered name as Jester King. They’re known for strong flavors and crafty farmhouse ales that tease and test the palate in new and refreshing ways that buck the norm. Luckily, we live just down the road from them, so the releases come when we least expect them.
But this release couldn’t have come at a better time. On the path to find some coffee stouts for winter, we found this one freshly stacked at our local liquor store. Doom Forge is an Imperial Coffee Stout released in January 2024 and carries the stout name proudly with 9.3% ABV. Jester King packed the punch into this one with Finca Fatima single-origin coffee beans from Mexico offering flavors of “Cocoa, Pecan, Candied Peach, and Bergamot.”
Strong flavors in a strong beer—time to see how it smacks the senses.
First Impressions:
On the Eyes--Doom Forge pours like syrup, is completely opaque, and forms very little head.
On the Nose--Chocolate and coffee like nobody’s business. The coffee is quite expressive, and I get aromas of pecan and peach from it. Malty and sweet and decadent enough to stick a fork in.
On the Palate--The deep chocolate and coffee mix like a wonderful mocha latte built on a foundation of dark espresso. Like the aroma, the coffee selection is distinct and expressive. I get the pecan and peach, as well as a touch of bitter citrus very much like bergamot, and of course a stout like this lacks no shortage of cocoa flavor. The ABV is high and noticeable. The surprising part is the dash of floral hops to add balance to the sweetness—it would be cloying without that touch of hoppiness. Doom Forge is soooo smooth with a dense mouthfeel. Dry and chocolatey at the finish, with the coffee lingering as if I were drinking a hot cup of joe instead of a cold stout.
Final Thoughts:
Doom Forge is another grand conjuration from Jester King. It is dense and powerful with a lot of depth in malt and just the right amount of hops to keep it from tilting over with sweetness. I love how decadent and fudgy it is—you really could eat it with a fork. Sippable and fun to drink, Jester King, as usual, held nothing back on this one, and their coffee selection was well curated and a great addition to the balance of the beer with nutty pecan, fruity peach, and a touch of bitter bergamot.
Now for the real question: Is it worth the money? We spent about $19 on a four pack of 16 oz. cans. That’s a lot of dough for some booze, and I’m sure it’s a question you’re asking yourself if you're reading this review. If you find yourself to be a dedicated stout drinker who can handle the high ABV (9.3%) and enjoys something on the verge of a pastry stout, this is an expertly crafted Imperial Stout just for you. If you are new to stouts, or powerful beers, tread lightly. It is not for the faint of heart, and certainly not for the light of wallet.
Cheers!
Mr. Brew