Noon Whistle Dodging Traffic 4Pk

Noon Whistle Dodging Traffic 4Pk is a 12.9% ABV imperial coffee stout from Noon Whistle Brewing Co. in Lombard, Illinois, sold in a four-pack. Brewed with natural Ethiopian coffee beans sourced from Tugboat Coffee in nearby Addison, IL, this stout carries a distinctive red fruit character rarely found in the style, earning a 4.1 out of 5 rating on Untappd across more than 2,100 ratings.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12.9%  |  Origin: Lombard, Illinois  |  Style: Imperial Coffee Stout  |  Brewery: Noon Whistle Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Noon Whistle Brewing Co. operates out of Lombard, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago, and has built a reputation for bold, inventive styles. Dodging Traffic is brewed as an imperial stout with the addition of natural Ethiopian coffee beans supplied by Tugboat Coffee, a specialty roaster based in Addison, IL. The Ethiopian origin of the coffee is central to the beer's identity — these beans contribute red fruit and berry characteristics that layer over the heavy malt bill, distinguishing Dodging Traffic from more straightforward coffee stouts that rely on darker, earthier roasts.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Medium roast coffee leads immediately, followed by waves of dark chocolate, brown sugar, and a subtle berry-like sweetness. There is a warm, boozy undercurrent consistent with its 12.9% strength.

Taste: The entry is rich and malt-forward, with sweet nutty pastry and molasses flavors arriving first. Mid-palate, oak and chocolate develop alongside the signature red fruit and strawberry notes imparted by the Ethiopian coffee. The sweetness stays balanced by roasted grain bitterness as the stout warms in the glass.

Finish: Clean and boozy with surprising length for the style. Lingering vanilla, coffee bean, and a faint nuttiness carry through to the close.

How to Drink Dodging Traffic

This imperial stout is best served at cellar temperature — around 50–55°F — in a snifter or tulip glass to concentrate the complex aromatics. Pouring too cold will mute the coffee and fruit nuances. Given its 12.9% ABV and layered sweetness, Dodging Traffic is primarily a sipping beer rather than a cocktail ingredient, though bold imperial stouts have found their way into beer cocktails: a Stout Float pairs it with vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert; a Black Velvet variation blends it with dry sparkling wine to contrast its richness; and a Coffee Stout Affogato uses a small pour over espresso gelato to amplify the Ethiopian coffee character.

Best For

• Cold-weather evening sessions when a single glass carries the weight of a nightcap
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who gravitates toward barrel-aged and imperial stouts
• Dessert course pairing at a dinner party — serve alongside chocolate or cheese
• Side-by-side tastings comparing regional imperial stout expressions from the Chicago area

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Dodging Traffic taste like? Dodging Traffic delivers rich chocolate, brown sugar, and molasses malt sweetness layered with medium roast coffee and distinctive red fruit and strawberry notes from its Ethiopian coffee addition. The finish is clean and warming with vanilla and nutty undertones.

How does Dodging Traffic compare to Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout? Both are high-ABV imperial stouts from the greater Chicago area, but Dodging Traffic leans into coffee and Ethiopian red fruit character rather than the bourbon barrel-aged vanilla and caramel profile of Bourbon County. Dodging Traffic is not barrel-aged, giving it a cleaner malt expression where the coffee plays a more prominent role.

Is Dodging Traffic good for sipping neat? At 12.9% ABV with a complex layered profile of coffee, chocolate, and fruit, Dodging Traffic is designed to be sipped slowly and savored — it rewards patience as it warms and opens up in the glass.

Where is Dodging Traffic made? Dodging Traffic is brewed by Noon Whistle Brewing Co. in Lombard, Illinois, a suburb west of Chicago. The Ethiopian coffee used in the brew comes from Tugboat Coffee, a specialty roaster in nearby Addison, IL.

What foods pair well with Dodging Traffic? Dark chocolate truffles amplify the stout's cocoa notes; aged cheddar or Gruyère contrasts the sweetness with savory depth; smoked brisket stands up to the beer's intensity; tiramisu echoes the coffee character; and pecan pie mirrors the brown sugar and nutty malt flavors.

What sizes does Dodging Traffic come in? Dodging Traffic is available in a four-pack format from Noon Whistle Brewing Co.

Is Dodging Traffic worth the price? Dodging Traffic positions as a premium craft imperial stout with a specialty single-origin coffee addition, placing it in the upper tier of non-barrel-aged imperial stouts — its complexity and 12.9% ABV deliver strong value within that category.

Why Dodging Traffic?

What sets Dodging Traffic apart from the crowded imperial stout field is its intentional use of natural Ethiopian coffee beans, which introduce red fruit and berry dimensions that most coffee stouts simply do not possess. This is not a one-note dark roast bomb — the Ethiopian origin shifts the entire flavor architecture toward something more nuanced and layered. With a 4.1 rating across more than 2,100 Untappd reviews, it has earned consistent praise from the craft beer community. For drinkers in or around the Chicago area looking for a locally brewed imperial stout with genuine character, Dodging Traffic delivers a profile that stands on its own terms.