What is Monster Park / Coffee Imperial Stout?

Modern Times' special release of their Monster Park imperial stout, 13%, aged in rye whiskey barrels with the brewery's own coffee blend added. The Monster Park series also had plain rye whiskey barrel and Tennessee whiskey barrel variants; this was the rye-with-coffee version.

What is notable about Modern Times' coffee use?

At the time, Modern Times was one of few known breweries to use its own blend of coffee in its beers.

How did Monster Park pour?

Black as pitch, with a light brown head that dissipated quickly and clearly visible alcohol legs streaming down the glass.

What did it taste like?

A huge amount of coffee bitterness with powdered chocolate, vanilla, rye, and a lot of sweetness. The reviewer was surprised by the very thin body and compared it to Bell's Black Note Stout with a KBS-like body.

What was the verdict on Monster Park?

93/100. With a better body and a touch more carbonation the reviewer thought it would sit next to the top coffee beers he had had; as it stood it was still a trade-worthy beer.

Which barrel variant is this one?

This is the version aged in rye whiskey barrels with Modern Times' own coffee added, one of three Monster Park variants released.

Why did the reviewer drink it fresh?

He chose not to age it so he could get the coffee at its peak, and he found lots of dark roast coffee, oaky vanilla, dark fruits, and powdered chocolate in the aroma.

What did the reviewer compare it to?

He compared the pour, aroma, and body to Bell's Black Note Stout, noted a KBS-like body, and also picked up a hint of Bourbon County Brand Stout.

Why was the thin body a surprise?

For a coffee imperial stout he expected a thicker body that would coat the palate and push flavors into the back of his throat, but this one was super thin instead.

Modern Times Brewery | Monster Park / Coffee Imperial Stout aged in Rye Barrels

Tasted and published in 2014. Recipes and availability change.

Modern Times Brewing Company | Monster Park / Coffee Imperial Stout aged in Rye Barrels. (13%)

This is a huge beer, ladies and gentlemen. This is Modern Times special release of their Monster Park, which is an imperial stout, then aged in 3 different variations of barrels: the first in rye whiskey barrels, the second in rye whiskey barrels with their own coffee added, and the third in Tennessee whiskey barrels. This one is the Rye with coffee added. Another fact to know is that Modern Times is one of few known breweries to actually use their own blend of coffee in their beers. Let's get a pour on the Monster Park / Coffee Imperial Stout.

Pour: It is black as pitch. I thought I was going to get some head on this massive beer, but I was mistaken. The head that was there had a light brown hue but dissipated rather quickly, and being 13% I understand that. I can see the alcohol legs on this beer clearly, streaming along the glass. It almost reminds me of Black Note Stout from Bell's.

Aroma: Wow, lots of coffee on this imperial stout. I didn't want to age this one too long and decided to drink it fresh so I could get the coffee at its peak, but lots of dark roast coffee, oaky vanilla, dark fruits, powdered chocolate, a strong presence of the rye coming through. This reminds me of Bell's Black Note Stout and a little bit of Bourbon County Brand Stout. Very unique blends of coffee that they are using.

Taste: Huge amount of coffee bitterness followed by chocolate, powdered chocolate you get from Nesquik, vanilla, rye, and a lot of sweetness. What I'm really surprised about with this beer is that the mouthfeel is very thin for a coffee imperial stout, it's super thin. I get a lot of flavors, but I was expecting a thicker body on this beer, so it coats my palate better and I get flavors in the back of my throat. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but I was very surprised that it was this thin. It is very similar to Black Note Stout, and has a KBS body. It's really good, but just a tad too thin for me.

Verdict: 93/100. I think if it had a better body and a touch more carbonation, it would be right next to the top coffee beers I have had. It's still a trade worthy beer for sure. It's got a lot of coffee still, and a unique blend of chocolate and malts as well. Cheers!

Also huge thanks to The Beer Exchange for this sweet Teku glass. Awesome part of my growing glass collection. Check out their website too! Made great trades off of it.

Key takeaways

Monster Park / Coffee Imperial Stout is Modern Times' special 13% imperial stout aged in rye whiskey barrels with the brewery's own coffee blend added.
The Monster Park series came three ways: rye whiskey barrels, rye whiskey barrels with coffee, and Tennessee whiskey barrels.
At the time, Modern Times was one of few known breweries to use its own blend of coffee in its beers.
It poured black as pitch with a light brown head that dissipated quickly and clear alcohol legs streaming down the glass.
Plenty of coffee bitterness up front alongside powdered chocolate, vanilla, rye, and lots of sweetness, in a body the reviewer found surprisingly thin.
He scored it 93/100 and called it a trade-worthy beer that would sit next to his top coffee beers with a better body and a touch more carbonation.

Frequently asked questions

What is Monster Park / Coffee Imperial Stout?: Modern Times' special release of their Monster Park imperial stout, 13%, aged in rye whiskey barrels with the brewery's own coffee blend added. The Monster Park series also had plain rye whiskey barrel and Tennessee whiskey barrel variants; this was the rye-with-coffee version.
What is notable about Modern Times' coffee use?: At the time, Modern Times was one of few known breweries to use its own blend of coffee in its beers.
How did Monster Park pour?: Black as pitch, with a light brown head that dissipated quickly and clearly visible alcohol legs streaming down the glass.
What did it taste like?: A huge amount of coffee bitterness with powdered chocolate, vanilla, rye, and a lot of sweetness. The reviewer was surprised by the very thin body and compared it to Bell's Black Note Stout with a KBS-like body.
What was the verdict on Monster Park?: 93/100. With a better body and a touch more carbonation the reviewer thought it would sit next to the top coffee beers he had had; as it stood it was still a trade-worthy beer.
Which barrel variant is this one?: This is the version aged in rye whiskey barrels with Modern Times' own coffee added, one of three Monster Park variants released.
Why did the reviewer drink it fresh?: He chose not to age it so he could get the coffee at its peak, and he found lots of dark roast coffee, oaky vanilla, dark fruits, and powdered chocolate in the aroma.
What did the reviewer compare it to?: He compared the pour, aroma, and body to Bell's Black Note Stout, noted a KBS-like body, and also picked up a hint of Bourbon County Brand Stout.
Why was the thin body a surprise?: For a coffee imperial stout he expected a thicker body that would coat the palate and push flavors into the back of his throat, but this one was super thin instead.

Editorial note: grammar and clarity of the original 2014 quick-take were lightly corrected in 2026. Facts, opinions, and ratings are the author's own.