Both coffee and beer often have a dedicated following, but what happens when the two collide? KSMU’s Anna Thomas takes a look at a local brewing company that’s bringing the two popular beverages together.
Jim Murrow sat among the crowd of Mother’s Brewing Company’s tasting room, and tried his first brew of Winter Grind.
“Well I like it. It’s surprisingly good. The coffee is definitely forward,” Murrow said.
“Are you a coffee drinker? Or a beer drinker?” this reporter asked.
“Yes,” Murrow said.
Winter Grind is Mother’s seasonal stout featuring an expresso blend.
Jeff Schrag, founder of Mother’s Brewing Company, says it’s not a new idea, but it is popular here and nationally.
“It was kind of a vanity project for me. I really enjoy coffee beers,” Schrag said.
On the brewing side of the building, you’ll find Winter Grind bubbling along with beer in other large tanks. Schrag uses a cold press method, adding the coffee toward the end of the process.
“This year we’re very pleased. We have a new pump that allows us to agitate and extract the flavor very well,” Schrag said.
The coffee is locally brewed, too. It comes from the Mudhouse. And, together, the Mudhouse and Mother’s created a special expresso blend.
“Being a key participant in downtown Springfield is very important for us. So embracing another downtown business when possible is important to us,” Schrag said.
Winter grind is limited to the current season. Laura Head, director of marketing for Mother’s Brewing Company, says that doesn’t make it any less popular.
“It’s really developed like a cult following here, locally and then in some of the other markets that we’re in outside of Springfield. People demand it, they’re excited about it, they’re asking for Winter Grind in August, June, July,” Head said.
Micah Emmerson is one of the dedicated coffee stout fans.
“I had plans to be here November 1st, when they said it was going to be available, but I actually got it at Patton Alley Pub in October beforehand,” Emmerson said.
He adds it’s the first coffee stout he’s tried and his favorite, although he admits…
“I haven’t tried any others,” Emmerson said.
Coffee stouts can be found all over the nation, but Schrag says this locally brewed drink is different because it’s not as heavy.
“It’s a much more ‘easy drinking’ than other beers,” Schrag said.
Winter Grind drinkers have been creative with the brew, making floats and brownies out of it.