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Left Hand Milk Stout
Longmont, Colorado
BJCP Category: 13B Sweet Stout
Left Hand Brewing Co. <visit site>
43
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[expand]Total Score: 42/50
Extremely drinkable. Both the sweetness of the milk stout and the underlying roastiness of the stout are well balanced with the hop bitterness. more >
[close]Total Score: 42/50
Aroma: Coffee-like roasted barley and chocolate malt. Light alcohol notes. No hop aroma. No diacetyl. No DMS. Very low dark pit-fruit presence. A very clean and inviting coffee-like aroma without harsh edges. (10/12)
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Appearance: Black with ruby highlights. Nearly opaque. Thin, tan head with low retention. Low carbonation (OK). (2/3)
Flavor: Roasted barley, chocolate malt and substantial sweetness are the initial impression. Espresso-like but without the acid present in coffee. Very low hop flavor with a bit of grassiness in the finish. Moderate hop bitterness balances the malt sweetness and leaves a sense of milk in espresso. No diacetyl. No DMS. No apparent alcohol. Little to no esters; very clean and refreshing. (17/20)
Mouthfeel: Smooth and creamy. No astringency or acidic harshness. Medium-full bodied. No particular alcohol warming but this may be deceptive since the beer goes down so easily. (5/5)
Overall Impression: Extremely drinkable. Both the sweetness of the milk stout and the underlying roastiness of the stout are well balanced with the hop bitterness. Additional dextrins and proteins to make the body fuller and enable better head retention are the only suggested improvements. A great stout to have with chocolate as a dessert without being too filling to enjoy more than one. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 41/50
This sample presents with much more chocolate than the coffee character that exemplifies dry stout. Perfect beer for those who “don’t like dark beers.” more >
[close]Total Score: 41/50
Aroma: Roasted grain, with creamy sugary sweetness; becomes more cocoa-like as it warms, like powdered baking cocoa. Slight acidity, with low apple notes. No hop aroma; no off notes. (9/12)
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Appearance: Brown-black with deep red highlights; brilliant clarity. Tan head forms of uneven bubbles, dissipates quickly to mist of film, but leaves a tan lace on the sides of the glass. (2/3)
Flavor: Cocoa chocolate malt with moderate roast notes emerging mid-palate, lingering in the finish. Low apple and pear notes, but dominant fruit is dried prunes mixed with molasses and treacle. Slight acidity, but with milky sweetness, like chocolate milk with lots of cocoa powder and even more sugar. Clean ferment, with no diacetyl or off flavors. Balance is toward sweetness, as opposed to malt flavors. Balance is more from roast character than hops. (17/20)
Mouthfeel: Full bodied, silky and creamy with subdued carbonation. Light astringency mixes with a tingling alcohol sensation, rather than hot or warming, blending for a clean finish. (5/5)
Overall Impression: This sample presents with much more chocolate than the coffee character that exemplifies dry stout. With the silky texture and balance toward sweetness, this is the perfect beer for those who “don’t like dark beers.” Almost chewy, this is a sustaining beverage, one that is best on its own, or maybe with snickerdoodle cookies and vanilla ice cream. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 43/50
Very nice beer that meanders between sweet and foreign-style stouts. It has the malty sweetness and mocha aroma of the former, but the hop bitterness and roasty finish of the latter. more >
[close]Total Score: 43/50
Aroma: Sweet mocha and baking chocolate with some coffee notes. I pick up a little acrid malt in the background, but it’s subtle and is blended with caramel malt and a light fruitiness. No hops to distract from the sweet toasted malt. (13/15)
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Appearance: Deep mahogany, not as dark as most stouts. Excellent clarity and head retention. (3/3)
Flavor: Nicely balanced though may lean too much to the dry side for some preferences. Starts softly with layers of sweet caramel, toasted breadcrumbs and chocolate malt. Sweetness from lactose is evident but gives way to coffee flavors before ending with a moderately roasty finish. Hop bitterness is high enough to cut the malt sweetness without making the finish too dry. Light fruitiness enhances the malt flavors. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium on the palate—some fullness and dextrins without being cloying. A little lingering astringency reduces what is otherwise a smooth beer. (3/5)
Overall Impression: Very nice beer that meanders between sweet and foreign-style stouts. It has the malty sweetness and mocha aroma of the former, but the hop bitterness and roasty finish of the latter. The end result is dangerously drinkable. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 46/50
Outstanding beer, very fresh, clean and tasty. Moderate sweetness makes it very drinkable. The bitterness makes it seem like a very dark chocolate, which is a great flavor. more >
[close]Total Score: 46/50
Aroma: Rich coffee and cream nose with dark chocolate overtones. Roasted and sweet malt. No hops. Very low esters. No diacetyl. Very clean and fresh. Roast/malt forward, moderate intensity. (11/12)
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Appearance: Medium-sized tan head. Very dark brown color, opaque. When held to a flashlight, garnet-colored and clear. (3/3)
Flavor: Deep coffee and cream flavor with dark bittersweet chocolate finish. Medium bitterness, moderate sweetness. Long dark chocolate and sweet malt finish with a bit of bitterness. Little, if any, hop flavor. Restrained esters. Roast/sweet flavors balanced nicely. Very fresh-tasting. (18/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium-full body, moderate carbonation. Creamy and smooth, not harsh at all. Very lightly warming. (5/5)
Overall Impression: Outstanding beer, very fresh, clean and tasty. Moderate sweetness makes it very drinkable. The bitterness makes it seem like a very dark chocolate, which is a great flavor. The roast quality has prominent coffee and chocolate flavors, which work great with the sweetness. (9/10)
