You know what is one of the hardest parts of writing a blog about local beers for over 6 years? I lose track of which beers and breweries I have, or have not, written about. For example, I was sure I had written at least one review showcasing a beer from Vanished Valley, but I sat down to write this and realized that I had not. I’ve enjoyed a number of their beers, shared thoughts on twitter and pictures on Instagram, even mentioned news about the brewery in my monthly beer thoughts articles, but I’ve apparently never done a formal review. That needs to change immediately, and I’ll try to knock out a few reviews soon, Vanished Valley makes some awesome beers. Fortunately, I had a can of Vanished Valley Hey, Don’t Forget the Coffee, an imperial stout brewed with OverTime coffee beans from Monsoon Roastery. The name also recalls a funny (if very bawdy and inappropriate) joke from the stellar film Good Will Hunting. Hey, Don’t Forget the Coffee is available on a rotating basis on draft and in 16 oz cans.
Vanished Valley Hey, Don’t Forget the Coffee pours nearly black with a small tan head. The aroma is a nice mixture of coffee and roasted malt. The coffee actually leads the flavor, rich and robust. This complements the roasted malts, which add notes of toffee, dark chocolate and tobacco along with some warming booziness. A hint of late hops add some balance along with earthy flavor and a touch of bitter bite. Hey, Don’t Forget the Coffee is a full-bodied sipper at 9.5% ABV. The finish is rich with some lingering coffee, roasted malt, and alcohol. This is a nice imperial stout, especially for coffee lovers who want some bold flavors in their coffee-infused beers. Hoppy Boston score: 4.25/5.
Hoppy Boston 
