Miskatonic Skycap 6Pk

Miskatonic Skycap 6Pk is a 5.8% ABV coffee porter from Miskatonic Brewing Company in Darien, Illinois, sold in a six-pack format. Brewed in collaboration with Modest Coffee, this porter integrates cold brew directly into the recipe, producing a richly layered dark ale that earned a 3.7 out of 5 rating on Untappd across more than 500 user reviews.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.8%  |  Origin: Darien, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Coffee Porter  |  Brewery: Miskatonic Brewing Company  |  Collaboration: Modest Coffee

Production & Heritage

Miskatonic Brewing Company operated out of Darien, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago, producing small-batch ales with an emphasis on bold, ingredient-forward styles. Skycap distinguishes itself from standard porters through the addition of cold brew coffee sourced from Modest Coffee, a collaboration that places real coffee character at the center of the beer rather than relying solely on roasted malts for coffee-like flavor. The cold brew method extracts smooth, concentrated coffee without the bitterness that hot extraction can introduce, allowing the porter's malt backbone to remain intact.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Earthy coffee beans and molasses rise immediately from the glass. Beneath that opening wave, darker notes of toasted grain and a subtle tobacco-like richness develop.

Taste: Dark roast coffee leads from the first sip, followed quickly by dark cocoa and caramel sweetness at mid-palate. Toasted grain and charred roasted barley add depth, while earthy hop bitterness provides a counterweight that keeps the sweetness in check. The body is fuller than many porters at this ABV, with moderate carbonation that gives it a smooth, almost creamy mouthfeel.

Finish: Dry and mellow, with lingering ashy roast character and a final impression of bittersweet chocolate. The coffee presence fades gradually rather than dropping off, leaving a clean close.

How to Drink Skycap

Serve Skycap at around 45–50°F to let the cold brew coffee aromatics open fully without muting the malt complexity. Pouring into a tulip glass or English pint concentrates the roasted aromas. While this is a beer best enjoyed on its own, it also works well as a component in beer-based mixed drinks: a Black Velvet variation (layered with dry sparkling cider) plays the roast notes against crisp acidity; a Beer Float with vanilla ice cream amplifies the chocolate and coffee sweetness into dessert territory; and a simple Boilermaker alongside a pour of bourbon draws out the caramel and toasted grain shared by both.

Best For

• Coffee lovers exploring where craft beer and specialty roasts intersect
• Pairing with a weekend brunch featuring rich, savory dishes
• Sharing with friends during cooler-weather gatherings and bonfires
• Adding variety to a curated craft beer tasting lineup

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Skycap taste like? Skycap leads with bold dark roast coffee and dark chocolate, supported by toasted grain, caramel, and a dry, mellow finish with earthy hop bitterness. The overall impression is a well-balanced, full-bodied coffee porter that foregrounds real cold brew flavor.

How does Skycap compare to Founders Porter? Founders Porter (6.5% ABV) derives its coffee-like character entirely from dark roasted malts, while Skycap (5.8% ABV) incorporates actual cold brew coffee from Modest Coffee, resulting in a more pronounced and authentic coffee presence. Skycap is also slightly lighter in alcohol, which makes it more sessionable while still delivering substantial roast depth.

Is Skycap good for sipping on its own? Yes — the balance between cold brew coffee, chocolate malt sweetness, and dry roasted grain bitterness makes it a satisfying standalone pour, especially at cooler serving temperatures that let the aromatics develop fully.

Where is Skycap made? Skycap was brewed by Miskatonic Brewing Company in Darien, Illinois, a suburb located roughly 25 miles west of downtown Chicago. The cold brew coffee used in the recipe was produced by Modest Coffee as a direct collaboration with the brewery.

What foods pair well with Skycap? Smoked brisket or pulled pork matches the beer's roast and caramel notes; a rich chocolate brownie echoes the dark cocoa character; sharp cheddar or aged Gouda contrasts the malt sweetness with savory tang; eggs Benedict with hollandaise plays well against the coffee bitterness; and roasted mushroom dishes complement the earthy, toasted grain backbone.

What sizes does Skycap come in? Skycap is available in a standard six-pack format, with individual cans or bottles typically at the standard 12-ounce size.

Is Skycap worth the price? Skycap positions as a craft-tier coffee porter, and the use of real cold brew from a named coffee roaster adds tangible production cost and flavor complexity that justifies a modest premium over mass-market porters. For drinkers who value genuine coffee integration over simulated roast flavors, the six-pack represents solid value within the specialty craft beer segment.

Why Skycap?

What separates Skycap from the crowded field of coffee-inflected dark ales is the deliberate choice to use cold brew from Modest Coffee rather than simply adding coffee beans or extract during brewing. That production decision delivers a smoother, more authentic coffee profile without harsh astringency, and it shows in the beer's remarkably balanced drinkability at 5.8% ABV. The fuller body and moderate carbonation give it presence without heaviness, making it approachable enough for porter newcomers while offering enough complexity to reward careful attention. For anyone seeking a coffee porter where the coffee genuinely tastes like coffee, Skycap earns its reputation.