Top 10 Coffee beers Brewed in America
This Top Ten List of Coffee Beers is from the results of the U.S. Open Beer Championship, Great American Beer Festival, and World Beer Cup. The top 10 Coffee beers use coffee in any of its forms other than or in addition to hops to create a distinct (ranging from subtle to intense) character. Underhopping allows coffee to contribute to the flavor profile while not becoming excessively bitter.
1. Mornin’ Delight – Toppling Goliath Brewing – Iowa
2. Coffee Maple Achromatic – WeldWerks Brewing – Colorado
3. Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout – Goose Island Beer Co – Illinios
4. Cubano-Style Espresso – Cigar City Brewing – Florida
5. Four Seasons “Winter” – Mother Earth Brew Co. – California
6. Breakfast Stout – Founders Brewing – Michigan
7. Heritage Coffee Brown Ale – Alaskan Brewing – Alaska
8. It’s 8 O’clock Somewhere – Torched Hop Brewing – Georgia
9. Midnight Espresso – Motorworks Brewing – Florida
10. Tweak – Avery Brewing – Colorado
History of Coffee Beers
Coffee beers, a fusion of brewing and coffee culture, emerged as a distinct style in the late 20th century during the craft beer renaissance. While early beers like stouts and porters often featured roasted malt flavors reminiscent of coffee, the intentional addition of coffee beans began in the 1990s. Pioneering American craft breweries, such as Founders and Bell’s, experimented with infusing stouts and porters with locally roasted coffee, capitalizing on the growing specialty coffee movement. The synergy of coffee’s bold, roasted notes with the rich, malty profiles of dark beers created a sensory bridge that appealed to both beer enthusiasts and coffee aficionados. By the early 2000s, coffee beers had gained traction, with brewers like Surly and Stone releasing iconic examples, often collaborating with local roasters to highlight regional coffee varieties.
The style evolved rapidly as brewers explored diverse techniques and beer styles beyond stouts and porters, including IPAs, lagers, and even sours infused with coffee. Innovations like cold brew infusions, barrel-aging with coffee, and the use of single-origin beans elevated the complexity and appeal of coffee beers. The rise of nitro-poured coffee stouts, mimicking creamy coffee beverages, further blurred the line between beer and coffee culture. By the 2010s, coffee beers had become a staple in craft beer lineups, with festivals and competitions celebrating the style. Today, coffee beers reflect a global collaboration between brewers and roasters, showcasing unique terroirs and experimental brewing methods, while maintaining their roots in the shared passion for craftsmanship and flavor.
Top 10 Beers in America – Ales Lagers Specialty Barrel Aged