Endless Beers: Stone Coffee Milk Stout

ABV: 4.2%

Born a  limited release, the Stone Coffee Milk Stout survived longer than many other suds offered at the Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens.  Brewery Trainer Brian Gallagher brewed the ten-barrel batch with Brewing Manager Kris Ketcham. The brew is made with milk sugar and whole coffee beans at a low alcohol content. While session beers are increasingly popular, session stouts are rare to find. The Stone “Coffee Laced” Milk Stout is released nationally on August 4. Here’s the taste!

Stone Coffee Milk Stout Profile:

Appearance: Black and dark – opaque

Aroma: Coffee hits the nose first, followed by flavors of chocolate and even a little bit of licorice

Taste: First taste is roasted coffee bitterness followed by semi-sweet chocolate. Then, sweet and creamy malty flavors come through.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and light going down. However, the brew finishes dry and crisp.

Overall: This is a pleasant surprise for a session brew. The brew has the light texture of a session brew, but the full flavors of a stout. The creamy and sweet notes of a milk stout come through from beginning to end of the drink. The bitterness of coffee beans begin the sip and chocolate follows. The beer is a good drink after dinner, or even during the day.

Suggested Pairings:

Appetizers: Bacon-wrapped dates, roasted chestnuts, leek-stuffed mushrooms, oysters on the half shell

Soups: Cream of mushroom, beef and barley, french onion

Entrees: Prime rib,  baby back ribs

Desserts: Chocolate cake, tiramisu, vanilla ice cream, s’mores

Cheese: Aged gouda, maytag blue

Cigars: Padron 3000, Rocky Patel Decade, Gurkha Park Avenue Maduro, Drew Estate Java Mint