Two Roads / Evil Twin - "Saigon Scooter Selfie" coffee stout

One beer trend I've observed is the increase in the number of pricey four-packs of pints. Yes, beer is still sold in six-packs or in singles or in larger packs, but I've noticed a lot of breweries releasing their creations in packs of four 16oz pint cans. These packs are not your typical lagers or ales - they're often "fancy" beer, made with unusual ingredients or in a particular style, and often come with a price tag to match - I've seen some four-packs go for over $25! Frankly, that's a LOT to pay for beer and I'm somewhat hesitant to recommend these.

But here's one that I think IS worth it - a collaboration stout between Stratford, CT-based Two Roads Brewing Co. and gypsy brewery Evil Twin. It's called "Saigon Scooter Selfie" and is billed as a Vietnamese-style coffee stout. Cool, right?

At 9.50%, this stout is made with brown sugar and cream extract. According to the bottle, the top brewers at each brewery came together, fueled by their love for the Vietnamese coffee drink "Ca Phe Sua Da", and traveled to Saigon to create this beer in partnership with Hanoi-based Heart of Darkness Craft Brewery.

Beers that emulate other beverages can be hit-or-miss; sometimes they fall flat and other times they knock it out of the park. Likewise, coffee stouts can be far too bitter or over-roasted, so we'll see how this turns out.

Aroma is pleasant, kinda smells like a cup of iced coffee. I let it warm up for five or so minutes, and swished it a bit, as one should do with a darker beer. Upon trying, I can say there are three things remarkable about this beer:

One, the texture. It's strikingly creamy, soft, and thick, almost like someone added a tablespoon or two of heavy cream to the beer. It's somewhat light for a stout, and in terms of weight, closer to a porter or even a thick black lager, actually. But not oily or heavy at all, and quite enjoyable.

Second, the flavors. There are two major flavors here, which appear simultaneously - one, a mild coffee flavor with some roasted malts, and two, a prominent sweetness very reminiscent of Vietnamese coffee or Thai iced tea...that sort of sugary milk they use. The brown sugar is somewhat noticeable, mostly moderating the cream but also adding to the sweetness. Definitely a sugar bomb.

Third, the drinkability. This beer hides the alcohol well and does not taste like 9.50% ABV. Likewise, the relative lightness of the beer doesn't overwhelm nor does it coat your throat after drinking.

So, yeah, I'm really digging this - it's super drinkable, nice and sweet, and with a very creamy, soft texture. The cream extract provides a "thick milk" consistency to the beer which is most welcome. It was nice to have a coffee stout that's on the lighter, sweeter end! About the cost - here's another "is-it-worth-$17-for-four-pints" question...and the answer is yes. Initially, I split this four-pack with my colleagues at D'Vines (to see if we liked it) but I subsequently went back to purchase a four-pack myself. If you like soft, creamy stouts with a delicious sweetness, seek this out - it's well worth it.