One thing I have learned from my journey through craft beer is that it truly is a craft, an art of drink if you will. As with most art, what is special to some may be less than spectacular for others. This is an important thing to take into consideration when tasting different brews.Just because an individual does not care for a specific taste does not mean the beer was brewed poorly. The reason I bring up is because this is the exact scenario I find myself in regarding Lakefront Brewery's Fuel Cafe.
A coffee infused stout, Fuel Cafe has found an exceptional blend of java and brew. My problem lays with the fact that I truly dislike coffee. I can enjoy sweetened espresso drinks such as mocha's, but hand me a hot cup of joe or a cappuccino and I will politely decline.
I tried this beer with the understanding that most stouts have hints of espresso, a trend I can fully support. The coffee brewed into Fuel Cafe however, is its definitive quality. This Milwaukee brewer has found the perfect balance of beer and drip to the point it's hard to determine where the coffee ends and the beer begins.
Surprisingly docile in aroma, Fuel Cafe leaves no doubts to what tastes you are experiencing. I'd even venture to say that if you brought this beer to work in a mug, you may be able to sneak it past a boss or two as an acceptable workplace beverage.
Although I personally have trouble with the flavor, I can not fault the brewer for making a choice to brew a beer that goes against my palate. I also feel it necessary to state that if I did in fact like coffee, I would probably love this beer.
Lakefront Brewing Fuel Cafe comes in at 7.5 mugs out of 10.
