I like my coffee with a side of beer.

In the interest of saving time I figured, "hey, I have coffee everyday. I sample new beers at least once a week. What if I.......could I? .....should I? ......". As I contemplated this idea in the name of efficiency, I happened to stop into Muckey's Liquors during their weekly beer tasting. They were spotlighting the Berkshire Brewing Company, whose Shabadoo Black and Tan is a personal favorite. The kindly guy who was clearly in charge of quality control for the samples (ahem) offered me a cup of their Coffeehouse Porter. It was basically their Drayman's Porter with the added flavor of...well...coffee! Behold! Some genius had spared me the time consuming effort. I really should thank them, as we all know I am perpetually lazy although full of grand ideas. (I'm still debating whether I have grounds to sue the Snuggy people, since I've been wearing my bathrobe backwards on the sofa my whole life).

Where were we? Oh, yes. Coffeehouse Porter. Mmmmm.

The aroma was robust and heavy, with a very slight trace of coffee. First sip was a perfect, warming sensation...like a Snuggy on a cold night (snicker). Honestly, my first impression was a malty ale; slightly sweet in the way a really good custard pie has just a hint of sweetness without tasting of sugar. The hop flavor was discernible as an end note but not at all overpowering or bitter. It wasn't until after I had swallowed and smacked my lips (as tarty little alcoholics-in-training are wont to do) that I detected coffee. It was like a happy ending. Great porter, awesome aftertaste and then, "hey! coffee!". I can honestly say that Berkshire Brewing Company's Coffeehouse Porter was like a whole dessert and coffee course. In fact, I bought 2 40oz bottles to bring home.

I hear they have a nice rasberry barleywine ale, but Muckey's did not have it available. I'm looking forward to trying that. Perhaps between the Coffeehouse Porter and the Rasberry Barleywine I can substitute two whole meals a day and lose a few pounds!