On Tap is a regular column featuring our recommendations on the most unique, new draft beer offerings from local pubs.
Our Recommendation: Evolution Rise Up Coffee Stout
Where: TJ’s Restaurant & Drinkery, 35 Paoli Plaza, Paoli, PA
While waiting for our son to get off the train in Paoli, we stopped in at one of our favorite watering holes to see what they have on tap. TJ’s Restaurant and Drinkery, which is located across the street from the train station, has one of the best rotating craft beer lists around. They also have the best posting board over the bar which clearly identifies each beer on tap, the style of the beer, the ABV %, and what type of glass it will be served in. While the board has the look of being written in chalk, it is actually quite a hi-tech contraption.
On this afternoon, out of their 26 draft beers available, it was the Evolution Rise Up Coffee Stout that piqued my interest. I’ve only had one other Evolution, and I’m a stout lover, so this was surely meant for me. As expected, Rise Up Coffee Stout poured nearly black with a thick mocha head, and the aroma was decadent. The coffee taste was strong, but not overwhelming, with just a slight finish of coffee bitterness. This was a very enjoyable coffee stout. According to Evolution’s website, the beer is cold steeped with organic coffee from their friends at Rise Up Coffee shop. At 6.7% ABV, I deem this to be a great sipping beer.
Evolution Craft Brewing Company is a small batch brewery based outside of Salisbury, MD, about 2 ½ hours from our area. Evolution has both a public house and a tasting room. I’m not gonna lie, I was just looking it up on Google Maps and it’s thirty minutes inland from Ocean City, MD and not far from Assateague beaches. It looks awesome. Can anyone say “Road Trip?”
TJ’s Restaurant and Drinkery is listed as one of the “Top 25 places to have a pint” by Beer Advocate, and it is not a surprise. They have a great selection of craft beers, a relaxing low-key bar, and that darn awesome hi-tech beer chalkboard. Check it out and tip back an Evolution Rise Up Coffee Stout soon.
