Innuendo by Baxter Brewing Co. calls itself a White Russian Style Stout and due to the additions of cocoa, lactose and cold-brew coffee it will be judged under BJCP 2015 category 30A as Spice, Herb & Vegetable. This beer pours a confusing light amber color with deep orange hues, a low light tan head that sticks around and a slight haze. Unlike the appearance, the aroma is reminiscent of a stout with moderate notes of coffee and cocoa as well as some alcohol and sweet toasted malt. The flavor is similar with alcohol, cocoa, coffee and sweet malt at the forefront. There is a low herbal/spicy hop character in the background, with a moderately-low bitterness that lingers into the semi-sweet finish. The body is medium, not as creamy as expected and with some alcoholic warmth, but nowhere near an actual White Russian’s level.
This is an interesting brew. It’s golden in color, but smells and tastes like a stout. Blindfolded, you probably wouldn’t even know it had no roasted malts in it. On the flip side, without any of the roasted malt, the coffee and cocoa don’t elevate those characters, they just bring it to a normal stout level.