Milk Stout, Left Hand Brewing Company

In case the name didn’t give it away, today’s beer is a milk stout.  Now the idea of putting milk in beer may sound gross and probably conjures up images of Irish car bombs curdling in the hands of under-dedicated chuggers.  Don’t worry.  That’s not what “milk stout” means.  It means lactose, an unfermentable sugar found in milk, was added in the brewing process.  The biggest effect it has on the finished product is in the mouthfeel rather than the flavor.  True to the image of milk, it imparts a smoothness often missing from dark, British ales.  So you’re left with a stout that feels like a really heavy hefe.  Left Hand Brewing’s Milk Stout does a very good job representing the positives of this interesting style.

A bit weak on the head.
Oh darn, I guess I'll have to have another!

Chocolate.  Big chocolate.  In fact, the far-from-puny coffee notes seem to strengthen the chocolate rather than stand alone.  Come to think of it, that label does look a lot like something Willy Wonka would have designed...  If the job of the aroma is to get you excited about the sip, this beer’s smell is getting a fat performance bonus.  When it reaches your tongue, a wave of dark, roasty, woody flavors temper the initial chocolate impression registered by your nose.  This is a stout for sure.  But of course this is a milk stout, so the mouthfeel is smoothed accordingly.  Instead of letting you know when you’re drinking too quickly, Left Hand Milk Stout’s velvety presence leaves that job entirely to the heaviness of the beer.  That means listen to your stomach if you’re not in a hurry to load up!  Overall, this is a very solid beer.  If you are craving the flavors of a stout but don’t feel like dealing with the sharp dryness, pick up one of these and relax.  Maybe you can think of it as a stout for the summer.

On a side note, I saw a review for this beer that declared it sessionable.  Do not listen to anyone who says that.  As I have discussed in earlier posts, these people don’t know what they’re talking about.  Do not session this beer!  Besides, who would want to possibly have to rush a milk stout?