I like milk stouts quite a bit, particularly La Vache Folle out of Quebec. These stouts add lactose to the traditional recipe of roasted malts and the rest, imparting a creamy sweetness to the taste and a smoothness to the mouthfeel.
For extra good measure, BB has bottled their Beavers Milk Stout with nitrogen, demanding an aggressive pour that necessitates completely inverting the bottle. Normally this is a great way to make a mess in the kitchen, so decanting in this fashion becomes almost an act of faith. I was willing to try it, but wanted documentation in case anything went wrong...
The pour went about as well as could be expected, and I truly believe that Guinness-style cascade is one of the prettiest things you can capture in a glass. And such a head! So thick, it made the entire sleeve look almost gelatinous.
There are aromas of roasted malts and chicory, maybe a hint of coffee as well. Time for a sip...
Oh my.
That is ridiculously smooth. Maybe the smoothest beer I've ever tasted. The mouthfeel is completely silky, helping to prompt a an empty glass far earlier than anticipated. In terms of taste, the chicory and coffee elements are there, along with the sweetness brought on by the lactose. It imbues the aftertaste with characteristics reminiscent of dulce de leche, the South American milk/caramel confection.
Like all stouts, Beaver's Milk Stout Nitro has a nice stick-to-your-ribs quality, but the 5.3% ABV probably wouldn't get you into too much trouble if you wanted another pint.
And for the record, I do want another pint of this!
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