Lugene Chocolate Milk Stout - Odell Brewing Company

powerss13

Kansas

4.43/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

ST: Bottle poured into glass

A: Nice dark color. Finished pour leaves a good head. Lacing all the way down.

S: Light nose on the chocolate; heavy on the roasted malt.

T: Starts with a heavy roast taste, then finishes with a smooth chocolate taste with a little hops to it (not a bunch)

MF: Light on the body and heavy on the flavor.

O: Exceptional beer. I could drink this any time of the year, so I am sad that it is a seasonal. If you see this and haven't had it, you should.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 16:10:50 | More by powerss13

scratch69

Missouri

4.5/5  rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

I poured a bottle into a mug.

Appearance- Deep, dark brown with a fingers worth of tan colored head. Light amount of lacing.

Smell- Light aroma of roasted malt at the start that turns into a milk chocolate smell.

Taste- Light roasted malt and slightly bitter chocolate flavor that turns into a nice milk chocolate aftertaste. YUM!

Mouthfeel- On the light end of full bodied and very creamy. Light amount of carbonation.

Overall- Delicious. This just became my favorite milk stout.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 21:10:30 | More by scratch69

Justin_Neff

Ohio

4.08/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A: Dark, opaque brown. Light tan colored silky head. Leaves full-glass lacing and settles into a thin layer of froth along the top of the brew.

S: Roasty java. Dark chocolate. Vanilla. Malty. Cherry sweetness.

T: Vanilla is more present than nose suggests. Roast, but not java like the nose. Dark chocolate bitterness. Hazelnut and caramel. Tastes like chocolate milk with dark chocolate Hershey kisses melted in it.

M: Creamy. A bit boozy. Wet. Medium body. Medium carbonation.

O: Boozy chocolate milk. This one is balanced well and complex. I'll pick more of this up and other Odell finds whenever I'm in MN next for work.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 02:19:49 | More by Justin_Neff

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.96/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark brown color, nice and professional looking. Mild light brown head on it, only about 1/4" in depth. Doesn't leave lace. Its a pretty color and juxtaposition of light and dark brown though.

Aroma was mild chocolate, thought it would be more impressive, but its still a nice breath of aroma from a stout that isn't all about massive roast in the nose.

Taste, a good, cocao and smooth chocolate sensation. Alcohol is amazingly covered up in the mouthfeel, at least at first, it does come out a little more downstream. Not really all that sweet. They got the lactose addition just right. I can't tell if that's vanilla or just a different kind of interplay between the parts giving it a slight bitterness at times (lactose and powdered chocolate milk?). Its a good beer, but its not going to rise to the elite level of chocolate beers.

Thanks to koufax21 for bringing this to the March Madness 2013 bottle share. Of course, a big no thanks to David Hurley, bar guy at El Dorado, for going back on the El Dorado's word of supporting our bottle share. These guys don't support craft beer, they don't support loyal customers. Grade A jerk.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 17:13:03 | More by Beerandraiderfan

Tone

Missouri

3.59/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a black color. 1/4 inch head of a tan color. Slight retention and poor lacing. Smells of sweet malt, oatmeal, hint of sour, slight roasted malt, pale malt, and a hint of hops. Fits the style of a Milk / Sweet Stout. Mouth feel is sharp and creamy with a low carbonation level. Reminiscent of a Baltic Porter. Tastes of roasted malt, tartness, sweet malt, hint of hop, and slight oatmeal. Overall, very weak appearance, but decent aroma, good body, and good blend.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 16:10:37 | More by Tone

garymuchow

Minnesota

3.74/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Soft malt with light roast, some sweetness and a touch of lactose. Nothing wrong, but nothing exceptional for style either.
Loud fizzy head that settles out pretty quickly, really. Very dark body.
A very rich drink. Full flavors. Milk and chocolate come through loud and clear here. Alcohol is noticeable with a little heat and spiciness/perfume to the taste- seems out of balance. Also get some warmth in the gut. Some sweetness shows
Moderate to lighter than that body. Reasonably soft feel and carbonation. Drinks lighter/easier than what it is. Could be kinda' dangerous.
This is a perfectly fine drink. No where near the best milk stout I've experienced.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 02:58:12 | More by garymuchow

LeeryLeprechaun

Colorado

4.53/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Beer pours pitch black with a small brown head that soon falls back into the glass. The head retention is poor but the brown color gives the first hint at the massive amount of roast and depth that are in this beer. There is also a lot or particulate floating about in the beer.

The aroma is complex, starting off with a hint of roast but finishing with chocolate and coffee. You can also pick out the alcohol but it is not harsh. There are some esters but they are hard to single out and are covered up by the massive amount of roast and toasted bread.

For a beer this high in alcohol the first sip is amazingly smooth. The mouthfeel is full and silky which leads to the impression of milk. You can pick out notes of milk chocolate, toast, a small amount of coffee but not bitter. The beer is sweet without being over the top.

Overall an incredible enjoyable beer. It is smooth for how big it is and it is just so well rounded. I would highly recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 03:04:49 | More by LeeryLeprechaun

JackieTH

Minnesota

4.29/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Opaque black-brown with a thin cap of khaki foam, fits of lace. Smells of sweet and semi-sweet chocolate, cream, roasted malt. Taste is smooth and velvety with mild milk chocolate, light roast malt, lightly cream sweet with late bittering hops which provide a clean finish and crisp breaking off point for the next sip. Light alcohol presence. Reminds of Obsidian but more powerful. Tasty.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 05:03:03 | More by JackieTH

vfgccp

New York

2.54/5  rDev -37.9%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 2.25

A - Cola body. Low, light-khaki head. Poor lace.

S - Balsamic vinegar, stale coffee. Touch of prune. No real chocolate to speak off.

T - Sour bitterness. Light vinegar. Malted milk balls.

M - Nice thick creamy mouthfeel.

O - Looks like this bottle went bad. Vinegar off-notes really ruined the beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 02:06:21 | More by vfgccp

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

12oz bottle into snifter - thanks Penguin

Deep black pour with a bubbled crop of tanned head perched on top. Bubbly retention, spotty lacing and a wisp of film.

Mild chocolaty scents with cocoa, milk sugar and caramel. Roasted dark malts and soft warmth.

Intensely flavorful milk chocolate, cocoa powder and caramel swirl together into a beery transformation of hot cocoa. Sweet and balanced, roasted dark malts, bread crust and milk sugar. Finishes a bit chalky and chocolaty.

Fuller medium body, decent carbonation, chewy and smooth on the tongue. A delicious, chocolate-forward stout, although I wish the nose was as impressive as the profile was.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 00:51:19 | More by xnicknj

iSip

Colorado

4.28/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

ODell Lugene Chocolate Milk Stout: You will pour pure magical blackness into the glass, but a fine head will form to keep the elixir in its place. The aroma is subtle. The flavor is big, bold and spot on chocolate milk. There are Imperial Russian Stouts that I like better, but if you want a chocolate milk stout, man, this is the one! I wish my fifth grade milk program served this brew. Top it off with the humorous label and ODell has a winner on its hands. Must try beer. You may get your wife into stouts with this creation, and your kids as well!

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 01:25:31 | More by iSip

GPHarris

Alabama

3.89/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

a - poured a 1/2 finger thick tan head into a snifter that left a thin ring of lace throughout. the body was dark black.
s - lactose, roasted chocolate, malty syrup sweetness.
t - chocolate milk with some burnt chocolate flavors.
m - medium body.
o - solid milk stout and one i would go to again. i was expecting more but still a good beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 15:21:07 | More by GPHarris

HuskyinPDX

Washington

4.26/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Bottle opened on 3.10.13
Best by 5/2/13B

A - Pours a very dark brown with a light brown active head that fades quickly.

S - Milk chocolate, roasted malts.

T - Chocolate milk with a touch of roasted malt and alcohol.

D - Heavier body with lighter carbonation.

O - Milk chocolate and easy drinking. Solid.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 17:11:47 | More by HuskyinPDX

arizcards

Arizona

2.85/5  rDev -30.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75

Picked up a four pack from Total Wine back in early February for $10. Best by 5-8-13.

I generally don't ramble but in this case i need to qualify this review. I do really love non sour brews from Odell. All that i have had has been good to excellent. Now with Lugene i was looking forward to a nice chocolate stout. I understand that our palates are all different but when cracking this beer what i did not expect was the amount of sourness in this brew. In a quick check of latest reviews i see one other BA detected the same sourness.

Beer poured black with a nice tan head.

Nose is sour milk, and hints of chocolate.

Taste is sour milk, some roasted malts, sweet chocolate.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and pretty smooth.

Overall drinkability for me is below average as i did not sign up for a sour milk beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 01:31:10 | More by arizcards

zhanson88

Montana

3.51/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours out a dark brown that appears pretty much opaque black in the glass. About 1/2" of dark tan head forms, that has okay retention and does retain some lacing. Pretty good looking milk stout.

Smell: Smells pretty roasty, with chocolate and lactose coming through as well. Very aromatic compared to many milk stouts out there.

Taste: Lots of chocolate, roast and lactose flavor coming through in waves. Very sweet. Mid palate and on the finish though, it turns pretty cloying and you can really tell it is 8.5% ABV.

Mouthfeel/Overall: Medium bodied and pretty creamy. Again though, it turns a bit hot on the end and drinkability is not high at all. Very much a one-and-done type of beer. Overall, a very flavorful milk stout that is pretty enjoyable and unique. Would probably buy again at some point if given the chance.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 23:56:53 | More by zhanson88

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.23/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

There's something about a story that defines and grounds those things that we experience in taste. This one brings the history of the cyclic relationship between brewer and farmer together in a unique taste that's irresistible to embrace and cherish. Even without tasting the beer, I love its story...

Lugene pours with the darkest bark brown hue before becoming black. Mid-onyx with a mirrory sheen but also modest haze, the dark ale lumbers in its ability to develop foam or froth. Low in lace, the coffee-stained head yields minimal lace- not unexpected, the oils of cocoa inherently inhibit foam formation, retention and lace.

Strong chocolate aromas supersede all of the stout-like aromas underneath. But that doesn't mean that the taste of fresh roasted coffee beans, "Whoppers" candies, whipped cream and malted milkshake can't poke through the chocolaty overcast. Light earthen character of chicory, burnt wood, and walnut decorate the peripheries of the nose.

Building on the aromas, the taste opens with burnt caramel, mocha-rich coffees with a strong roasted coffee backdrop and the smoothness of milky latte. The beer's lush taste accompanies a bittersweet chocolate focus that opens up in the middle just as the milky sweetness of heavy whipping cream intensifies the dessert-like notions of the stout. A tinge of bourbon-like alcohols reinforce the caramel, vanilla, and cherry-flavored alcohols that bring closure to taste.

Creamy, velvety and so sultry smooth, the beer's low-lying carbonation casts a cask ale-like texture that lays firmly on the tongue and caresses the taste buds with silky effects, thickness, and passive chewy textures. Its assured full body concludes with a malty-dry finish and stern understated alcohol warmth- somewhat minty in its continued complexity.

I remember when Young's Double Chocolate Stout was first tasted, I thought it was the most sultry thing I had ever tasted. Though there have been more advancement in chocolate, body, alcohol, and sweetness- none has yet to capture that type of taste in elevated form ... 'til now. This should be a highly celebrated ale for such humble underpinnings. I have a feeling Lugene has a pint or two waiting for him, and not on his dime.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 06:44:38 | More by BEERchitect

JamesMN

Minnesota

4.05/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Best by: 6/14/13

Appearance: Opaque black with a thin light brown head.

Aroma: Roasted chocolate and cream malts. Classic Milk Stout aroma.

Taste: Odell definitely isn't joking around when they say this is a chocolate milk stout. The flavor is as advertised with a creamy malt bill up front and a great milk chocolate flavor on the back end. There is a light hop bitterness throughout that lingers a bit in the aftertaste but it's not distracting from the chocolate which really shines. Just a hint of the 8.5% ABV during the finish but otherwise it's completely hidden.

Mouthfeel: Super smooth and just below full in body. I'd recommend a vigorous pour to reduce the somewhat excessive carbonation. Average drinkability.

Final Thoughts: I've been a fan of Odell Brewing Company ever since getting into craft and have been looking forward to trying a stout from them. Lugene Milk Chocolate Stout does not disappoint. If you enjoy dark creamy beers then give it a try. Would I drink it again? Yes.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 05:46:47 | More by JamesMN

MisterNic

Wyoming

4.43/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - Opaque black, dark tan one finger head

Smell - Chocolate, roasty notes, a hint of coffee

Taste - Sweet, milk chocolate, bittersweet cocoa, some alcohol as it warms up, but not overwhelming

Mouthfeel - Full-bodied, thick, chewy

Overall - A very tasty beer. I would definitely buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 14:13:48 | More by MisterNic

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

4.18/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Props to my in-laws for grabbing the last bottle in the shop when visiting the US recently.

A - Pours nearly opaque, dark ruby hue on the edges, finger of dark mocha head with solid retention and some sporadic lacing.

S - Rich milk chocolate, a touch of vanilla and a burnt sugar mocha finish.

T - Chocolate flavours dominate, the milk chocolate notes are surprisingly sweet, though not overwhelming, the ABV is incredibly well hidden and dark cocoa and vanilla flavours linger on the finish.

M - Medium bodied, smooth and a sweet sticky finish.

O - Overall, this brew is fantastic, incredibly easy drinking and I could easily toss back a few of these in a single sitting. Nice to find a rich brew, higher in ABV that can be easily sessioned. I wish my in-laws were able to grab a few more bottles, but I'm definitely glad they were able to get the one. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 05:33:01 | More by andrenaline

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.94/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 2.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours mahogany with a finger of mocha colored head. Head retention & lacing are lacking

S: Some cocoa & faint boozeyness, kind of understated

T: Milk & dark chocolate & cocoa powder up front. More rich chocolate as this warms, with a touch of roasty bitterness as well, some dryness. Finishes sweet, dry, roasty with a touch of lactose

MF: Fairly rich, smooth carbonation

Really enjoyed this, the ABV is well hidden. If you like chocolate, this a stellar offering. I'll take this over the uber-hyped Boulevard Chocolate ale & true to style, but wish this would've delivered a bit more on the asthetics

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 05:09:16 | More by russpowell

sethcroisant

Nebraska

3.84/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

A- fairly dark brown head, though there's not much of it. moderate lacing.

S- roasted malts, coffee and booze are the most dominant scents. chocolate is there but a little less detectable. nice blend of smells.

M- carbonation is a little too prickly. has a decent body to it. kind of fluffy. overall, it's a very peculiar mouthfeel.

T- sweet and alcoholic up right away. after a second, some bitterness from the hops and roasted malts come in. chocolate is apparent all the way through, but not too assertive. bready flavors settle in towards the end. it does sort of taste like chocolate milk...

O- a solid and well balanced beer. maybe not as aggressive with the chocolate flavors as some, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 05:45:43 | More by sethcroisant

mactrail

California

3.44/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3

Dark velvety brown, near black in the Duvel tulip. Attractive low head but plenty of fizz on the tongue. Smells faintly like chocolate.

This does taste exactly like chocolate milk, if that's what you're looking for. Sweet and rich. There is a tart flavor that comes along, which is quite welcome, almost a capuchin yoghurt flavor. The dark roasted malt is what you'd find in a stout, though buried somewhat under the milky sugar. Towards the end of the glass it starts tasting more biter, like burnt malt. A little thickly bodied but it still pours and drinks like a beer.

Tangy and surprisingly drinkable, though you really have to like chocolate a lot. From the 12 oz bottle bought at Jubilation Fine Wines in Albuquerque.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 04:52:48 | More by mactrail

frankiepop

Pennsylvania

2.83/5  rDev -30.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.5

Well, I am going to part company with many reviewers on this stout. 1st this brew somewhat lives up to its title. However, I didn't like the taste at the finish line. It delivers a metallic sour flavor that reminds me more of a bitter chocolate than a chocolate milk. Also we should compare this to other chocolate stouts. I suggest that the Wells' Young Double Chocolate, Samuel Smith' Organic Chocolate Stout, and Rogue's Chocolate Stout just cream this one.

The look and aroma are OK. But the smoothness is not silky smooth as a chocolate milk stout should be. For example, Youngs Dble Chocolate stout is world class and smooth. Silky smooth. In comparison then this stout must drop below average. My rec is not to buy a 6 when checking this toilet stew out. Get a cheaper single. Otherwise your drain is gonna get drunk on some shitty brew. Come on Odell you're better than this.

Pair this with the cd Isaac Hayes Chocolate Chip. Then move on.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 19:04:59 | More by frankiepop

rawfish

California

4.06/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours smooth and black with tints of cola brown and a mocha colored finger high head. Retention is average and leaves nearly no lacing.

Notable sweetness with lots of milk sugar and milk chocolate aroma somewhat artificial and roasty. Undertones of tree nuts, hints of vanilla and smoke.

Decadent, sweet chocolate and roasted malt with notes of licorice and prunes. Finishes a more roast, lactic sweetness and a mild bitterness that lightens up the sugar.

Syrupy and muted carbonation, slightly creamy but it makes the beer really feel heavy. Alcohol goes back into it's shell as the beer warms up.

Sweet stout, really pairs well with desserts or as one. The chocolate notes are spot on and deliver what is promised on the label. Slow sipper and falls right in line with the other good offerings in the Odell series.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 07:58:06 | More by rawfish

MattyG85

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a Sam Adams "Perfect Pint" glass. Best by date of 5/2/2013.

Appearance: Pours a dark blackish brown with a fair amount of rising bubbles. About two fingers of deep tan head that fade into a thin creamy layer. Leaves a good amount of lacing around the glass.

Smell: A very roasty and fairly sweet dark stout aroma. Dark roasted malts with big hints of dark and milk chocolate, toast, cream, coffee, burnt caramel, toffee, nuts, and yeast. Also some hints of vanilla and smoked malt. Subtle hints of molasses and dark raisin and fig. Hops are laid back with some earthy hints. A very nice rich and creamy chocolate driven aroma.

Taste: Like the aroma hints, a nice roasty and sweet chocolate and milk driven taste. Dark roasted malts with a good taste of milk chocolate, cocoa, cream, toasted bread, coffee, caramel, toffee, yeast, nuts, and some smoked malt. Some sweet vanilla and molasses sugars as well. Subtle notes of dark fruit including raisin, fig, and prune. A light bitter taste of earthy hops come in towards the finish. A very good sweet chocolate stout taste that is well balanced.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation. Very creamy and somewhat roasty and syrupy. Alcohol is masked very well.

Overall: A really good sweet/milk stout. Good creamy chocolate flavor with a moderate sweetness. Really nailed the style.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 07:18:02 | More by MattyG85