BEER REVIEW: EST Brewing’s Coffee and Donut Stout at 508 GASTROBREWERY

My search for the best beer in New York continues….

SADLY, EST BREWING AND 508 GASTROBREWERY ARE BOTH NOW CLOSED.

Coffee and doughnuts are a natural combination, but most non-alcoholics don’t usually throw beer into the mix. Well, maybe I am an alcoholic because when I heard about a new brew that combines the three, I thought it made perfect sense.

I tasted the beer at 508 Gastrobrewery, which is a restaurant that brews their own beer in the basement. Chris Cuzme, the brewmaster, has also been inviting friends and new brewers to get in on the act. The Coffee & Donut Stout (which is down to its last few kegs) is the work of EST Brewing Company, a start-up brewery that does not quite have a home yet. But it does have Erica Shea and Stephen Viland behind it. The two know their beer, having inspired many homebrewers through their Brooklyn Brew Shop kits and brewing guides.

I’ve tasted a few of their creations at beer events, but it was a pleasure to drink their first official beer release. This stout is dark black and is unmistakably coffee-laced. They use Brooklyn Roasting Company beans and the back end has a balanced sweetness. I’m not sure I’d immediately guess doughnuts as the culprit and a look at the recipe reveals dried coconut flakes. It was missing that fried bready quality. But the beer itself was immensely flavorful.

So the doughnut notes might be lacking a bit, but as one who usually suffers severe heartburn and agony after devouring an entire glob of fried dough, I for one am very grateful.

Is EST Brewing Company’s Coffee and Donut Stout the best beer in NY? It might be a bit of a misnomer since that decadent doughnut flavor was absent, but the rich coffee notes and enjoyable sweetness earn this an 8 out of 10.