Dark roasted malts, such as black patent malt (the darkest roast), can lend a bitter coffee flavour to dark beer. Some brewers like to further emphasise the coffee flavour and add ground coffee.

The alcohol level of these coffee flavoured stouts will vary from under 4% to over 8%. Most examples will be dry and bitter, although others add milk sugar to create a sweet stout which may then be given a name such as coffee cream stout. Other flavours such as mint or chocolate may also be added in various combinations.