Alarmist The Percolator 4Pk

Alarmist The Percolator 4Pk is a 9% ABV imperial coffee stout from Chicago's Alarmist Brewing, sold in a four-pack format. This small-batch release distinguishes itself by incorporating 30 pounds of fresh, hand-selected Big Shoulders coffee beans per batch — a Chicago roaster recognized by Food & Wine magazine as the "Best Coffee in Illinois."

Quick Facts: ABV: 9%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Imperial / Double Coffee Stout  |  Brewery: Alarmist Brewing

Production & Heritage

Alarmist Brewing operates out of Chicago, Illinois, focusing on small-batch, bold releases. The Percolator is built on an imperial stout base and loaded with 30 pounds of Big Shoulders coffee beans that are hand-selected for the brew. That coffee-forward approach defines the beer's identity — the roast character isn't an afterthought but the structural backbone of the recipe, contributing depth, bitterness, and body that go well beyond a standard coffee stout.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Freshly ground dark-roast coffee dominates the nose immediately, followed by waves of roasted cocoa and dark chocolate. A subtle maltiness sits beneath the coffee aromatics, grounding the overall impression.

Taste: The entry is silky smooth with low acidity, letting the coffee and cocoa flavors take center stage. At mid-palate, roasty malt character merges with bittersweet chocolate and espresso-like intensity. The 9% ABV is well-integrated, adding warmth without sharp alcohol heat.

Finish: A firm, lingering coffee bitterness closes things out, reminiscent of a strong black coffee with no sugar. The roast carries through to the very end, with faint dark chocolate trailing behind.

How to Drink The Percolator

Pour into a tulip glass or snifter at around 45–50°F to let the coffee aromatics open up fully; this beer rewards slow sipping. A slight warm-up in the glass as you drink reveals additional malt sweetness and complexity beneath the roast.

• Beer Float: A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream in The Percolator creates a rich, dessert-worthy combination where the coffee bitterness cuts through the cream.
• Black Velvet (beer variation): A cautious half-and-half pour with a dry sparkling cider plays the roast bitterness against crisp acidity for an unconventional pairing.
• Espresso Martini riff: Use a small measure alongside vodka and coffee liqueur in a shaken cocktail for extra roast depth — unorthodox, but the imperial stout body holds its own.

Best For

• Coffee lovers exploring craft beer's intersection with specialty roasts
• Winter evening sessions that call for a warming, high-ABV stout
• Gifting to a Chicago beer enthusiast who values local collaborations
• Dessert course pairing at a dinner party in place of after-dinner coffee

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Percolator taste like? The Percolator delivers a silky, full-bodied imperial stout experience dominated by roasty coffee, dark cocoa, and bittersweet chocolate, finishing with assertive coffee bitterness similar to a strong black espresso.

How does The Percolator compare to Founders Breakfast Stout? Both are coffee-forward stouts, but The Percolator leans heavier into pure coffee intensity with its 30-pound Big Shoulders bean addition and sits slightly higher at 9% ABV compared to Founders Breakfast Stout's 8.3% ABV. The Percolator skews more singularly roasty, while Founders Breakfast Stout layers in oats and chocolate alongside its coffee character.

Is The Percolator good for sipping neat? Yes — its silky body, low acidity, and layered coffee-and-chocolate profile make it an ideal slow-sipper, especially when poured into a snifter and allowed to warm slightly from refrigerator temperature.

Where is The Percolator made? The Percolator is brewed by Alarmist Brewing in Chicago, Illinois. The coffee beans come from Big Shoulders Coffee, also a Chicago-based roaster recognized by Food & Wine as the "Best Coffee in Illinois."

What foods pair well with The Percolator? Chocolate lava cake works beautifully, as the beer's roast echoes the dessert's bitterness. Smoked brisket stands up to the stout's intensity. A sharp aged cheddar contrasts the malt sweetness. Tiramisu mirrors the espresso notes. Pecan pie benefits from the beer's roasty bitterness cutting through the filling's sweetness.

What sizes does The Percolator come in? The Percolator is available in a four-pack format, which is the standard retail offering from Alarmist Brewing for this release.

Is The Percolator worth the price? The Percolator positions as a premium craft imperial stout, and its value reflects the small-batch production and the use of 30 pounds of specialty coffee per batch from an award-recognized roaster — a meaningful step above mass-produced coffee stouts in both ingredient quality and flavor intensity.

Why The Percolator?

What separates The Percolator from the crowded field of coffee stouts is the sheer volume and quality of coffee in each batch — 30 pounds of hand-selected beans from Big Shoulders, a roaster with a Food & Wine "Best in Illinois" distinction. That's not a marketing flourish; you taste it in every sip. The imperial stout base at 9% ABV provides enough body and malt structure to carry that coffee load without tipping into thin, acrid territory. For drinkers who find most coffee stouts too timid, The Percolator delivers the real thing — a beer that genuinely tastes like the best cup of coffee you've ever had, with the richness and complexity that only an imperial stout frame can provide.