Cowcatcher

Sweet Stout | Year-Round | United States

By Jim Koebel

Judges Rating: 92
Aroma: 23
Appearance: 4
Flavor: 39
Mouthfeel: 9
Overall Impression: 17

Milk stouts are sweeter than their Irish and American brethren, often resulting from a combination of lactose additions and lower hopping rates. This example smells pleasantly sweet and roasty – like coffee or cream. It pours an opaque, very dark brown color with a low tan head that does not rouse well. This beer’s flavor has some richness and roasted grain and is appropriately sweet but never cloying. It has a drying, roasty finish. Bitterness is moderately low and seems to come mostly from roasted malts. Despite the low head, this beer feels well-carbonated. Still, it is somewhat creamy from the medium-full body, but it is missing the fruitiness often found in the best examples. Still, this milk stout is nothing but enjoyable.