Left Hand Milk Stout - Left Hand Brewing Company

centurian62

Michigan

4.91/5  rDev +23.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

I am glad that Rockewell's in Grand Rapids, MI has had this on nitro tap for a long while. I stop in as often as I can to grab a pint because this has to be one of the best beers on the face of the planet!

When delivered, you can see the nitro bubbles exuding from the middle of the glass creating a beautiful caramel colored head. Upon first sip, you realize that the nitro has taken the original Milk Stout to a whole new level of creaminess and taste! My wife is not the biggest fan of stouts but she always humors me and tries them. This one was "the one" that has changed her mind and she even ordered her own pint!!! That is a testament to how good this beer is, because she is very picky when it comes to beer and she loves it!

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-28-2013 19:39:44 | More by centurian62

Ford

Texas

4.05/5  rDev +2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nitro tap..

What a great looking beer. SMells good.

Wow.. nitro.. so different than carbonation... super smooth.. this really is like drinking milk almost...

Flavor is really good. Stouty goodness all over it, again my first time having something off a nitro tap and it's just so different.

Can't wait to have another one of these in the near future.

Serving type: nitro-tap

01-03-2013 05:46:10 | More by Ford

spoony

Colorado

3.75/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

From a nitro-tap into a pint glass.

A-The beer is almost pitch black in the glass with a nice one-finger head of very dense, creamy, tan head. Head is slow to fade and leaves some chunky lacing.

S-The smell is mild and consists of lightly roasted malts and a touch of milk chocolate.

T-Taste is somewhat simple, but is an enjoyable slightly milky blend of chocolate and smooth roasted malts. Very little bitterness and no alcohol.

M-Smooth, smooth, smooth feel. Ultra-fine carbonation. Medium body.

O-I used to love nitro beers and this brew reminded of some of the better examples. It wasn't terribly complex, but the flavors were well integrated with each and you could drink this beer without feeling like you had to study every sip. There is nothing mind-blowing here, but this is a decent example of a milk stout.

Edit: Just drank a bottle of this stuff at home. My review above and score stands.

Serving type: nitro-tap

12-31-2012 07:02:18 | More by spoony

Ethanol4one

New York

4.5/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is a very good, dark, thick, high octane, no nonsense, Milk stout. At 6%, my impression is that the AVB is high vs. traditional stouts, so go slow, bros.

I had this at Rudy's in NY (of Steely Dan's "Black Cow" fame, which would be a great name for it there, since it's sold as the in-house, white label stout.

Very creamy, milky toasted stout. A female friend of mine, who hates all beer, has become a regular Left Hand Stout drinker, which says a lot.

Serving type: nitro-tap

12-12-2012 15:07:12 | More by Ethanol4one

94Sip

Texas

4.68/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I had this at Yard House. I will simply state that on tap this is significantly better than bottled. If I was reviewing this from a bottle it would be a bit different and I will note that below.

A: on tap it had a nice 2 finger head that stayed all the way to the end and left great lacing down the glass. Every time I have this from a bottle I only get a head for a little while and it never lasts. And I have followed the instructions and poured "hard", which creates a nice head but it always dissipates quickly.

S: smelled like a typical stout. I am a fan of all stout smells, so this is not a differentiating factor for me.

T: Excellent - just the right amount of sweetness to go with the roasted malts. And the tastes stay with you the whole way down. Nothing thin about this at all. Just the right amount of coffee and just the right amount of chocolate. But most importantly, the sweetness was just right.

M: like the other characteristics the moutfeel on tap is just right - smooth, the right amount of carbonation and the head is nice and creamy. From a bottle it feels almost flat.

When I am not looking for the typical 8-10% stouts this is one of my go to stouts. Easy to have a couple of these on a weeknight and still carry on a coherent conversation. The sweetness is really nice on a cooler night. Just a very satisfying stout.

Serving type: nitro-tap

11-13-2012 02:34:36 | More by 94Sip

sneakymagician

Michigan

3.2/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

This was an okay stout at best. Found it a little difficult to finish the pint. The aftertaste wasn't so good. Maybe, they were tapping the bottom of the keg - seemed to have trouble filling the glass, because of the foam. Tried it at The Beer Exchange in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Serving type: nitro-tap

10-25-2012 22:28:30 | More by sneakymagician

NilocRellim

Minnesota

4.68/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

The pint was poured heavy, and needed time to settle. The taste was smooth, creamy, and slightly sweet. It reminds me of what a Guinness is like at a pub in Ireland; the pour, the cooking (settling), and the creamy head.

Would I buy it again? Absolutely! I cannot wait until more places have this regularly.

Serving type: nitro-tap

09-29-2012 04:58:21 | More by NilocRellim

TwelveOunces

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on nitro tap into a pint glass

This beer pours pitch black and has a slight brown head that lasts all the way down with a nice thick lacing. The flaovrs of the beer are somewhat roasty with a bit of chocolate and coffee. The creamy texture of this beer is really unlike any other. It has a certain smoothness that is unparalleled. The combination of lactose and nitro really makes for a unique drink. This is a rather filling beer and I was slow to drink it but it was very much a desert beer and I enjoyed it as such. Try it out, especially if you can find it on nitro.

Serving type: nitro-tap

08-05-2012 03:52:13 | More by TwelveOunces

FosterJM

California

4/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

1424th Review on BA
Nitro tap to Pint
16oz

@World of Beer, Naperville, IL

App- Take a Guinness with the same cascading head and it looks amazing. The fading waterfall head with a good brown head and a Oreo creme top. Amazing cling down the sides.

Smell- Well, the base version has a bit more punch behind it. This was more smooth and a creme aroma with only a touch of malty chocolate.

Taste- Well I liked this a bit more than Guinness. This was more smooth, this was more creamy and added with a good chocolate flavor. The added addition of the nitro is a great addition.

Mouth- A low carbonation with a SUPER creamy flavor. The body is a bit of a low/medium and leaves a residual creaminess and then adds a bit of coffee.

Drink- I reviewed the base version and this was much better. Richer, smoother and better all around.

Serving type: nitro-tap

07-30-2012 01:48:43 | More by FosterJM

pgfault

Texas

4.85/5  rDev +22.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

When I first had the LHMS I was blown away. The flavor and _sensation_ from the nitro tap is nearly indescribable. Nonetheless...

The pour is a std creamy stout and maintains head pretty much throughout. The nose is light stout, but the flavor on initial taste is exceptional. This is what God intended a stout to be. The finish lingers in a very good way.

Left Hand knocked this one out of the park.

Serving type: nitro-tap

06-23-2012 04:59:18 | More by pgfault

claspada

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours fairly identical looking to a Guinness. Frothy milkshake with nitro bubbles frothing up as the khaki head slowly dissipates into more drinkable beer.

Aromas are fairly mellow considering the extremely dark thick appearance of this stout. Light cocoa with a little toastiness and brown sugar sweetness.

The taste topples the nose and delivers delicious amounts of sweet and lightly toasted (wanted to emphasize this over roasted) malts. Light cocoa and espresso but quite quite smooth and velvety.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with perfect amount of medium-light carbonation. The lactose makes it presence known as well adding the smooth and velvety creamy texture which is spectacular.

Overall this is one of the top 3 Milk Stouts I have ever had; perfect example of the style. Perfect harmony for your taste buds and a nice/substantial upgrade nitro stout over Guinness.

Serving type: nitro-tap

05-26-2012 15:34:20 | More by claspada

darkstar12

Maryland

4.73/5  rDev +19.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Served on nitrogen tap into a regular pint glass at Red Rocks, Old Town Alexandria, VA. Also had in regular bottle, but this review based on nitrogen pour which makes a big positive difference.

A: Nice and dark, with a two-finger light tan head that lasts for a very long time.
S: Some sweet aromas, not much else
T: Absolutely perfectly smooth - not a hint of bitterness or carbonation, nothing but a smooth, sweet chocolately taste.
M: Thick, sweet, chewy, awesome
O: An absolutely amazing beer on nitrogen. Unbelievably smooth and good. I go out of my way to find it now.

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-29-2012 23:57:34 | More by darkstar12

Efeswasmy1st

4.03/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on Nitro tap at Bodega Brew Pub in La Crosse, WI'

Poured nicely with heavy head which settled into dark brown/black tastiness.

Creamy at first brings out the malty and coffee taste of the beer.

Aroma is malty, coffee.

Soft on the palate with easy creamy drinkability. If you can find this on Nitro, do it!

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-04-2012 04:34:39 | More by Efeswasmy1st

rangerred

Tennessee

3.93/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served from a nitro tap.

Beer is pitch black with a creamy 1.5 finger head. There is a thin sheet left along the sides of the glass.

Aroma is somewhat lacking as is the case with nitro beer but there is some chocolate and coffee.

The flavor is full of chocolate and dark roast coffee. It is somewhat mocha-like and quite rich. There is little malt presence behind the coffee and chocolate. Sweetness is present throughout becoming a bit more noticeable towards the finish. A light bitterness takes hold at that time. Nice creamy mouthfeel.

Overall this is an excellent beer. I always liked the non-nitro version and I think this is even better.

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-04-2012 03:11:19 | More by rangerred

kemoarps

Washington

4.38/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

So I've been a huge fan of the standard left hand milk stout since I first tried it almost a year ago. The woman at the tavern here told me they had the nitro tap version? Sign me up. Pours that beautiful black silver waterfall of the nitro process. Top it with that creamy cappucino foam head... it's beautiful.

The nose is quite muted with a simple creamy fermented note.

Imma cut to the chase. This is the milk stout but creamy as...
ahh... let's just say its creamy silky smoothe dghjfisbcjsofnejvn

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-26-2012 23:17:20 | More by kemoarps

Immortale25

Florida

4.73/5  rDev +19.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Served in a pint glass at Sarasota's World of Beer.

A- Comes to me as a beyond-opaque black with a perfect 1/4 inch white crown that's flat, smooth and sticks around for nearly the entire drink. Full sheets of lacing also follow down the glass for the duration.

S- Subtle yet enthralling coffee nose with a bit of dark chocolate.

T- Heaven. Deep roasted malts that are accentuated by the creamy mouthfeel. The dark chocolate and coffee continue but are so controlled, making the drinkability fly off the charts.

M- Like I said, creamy and soft. Like a pillow for the palate. Medium-high carbonation and a full body.

O- So good, it makes me weak in the knees. This is the only way to have this beer

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-21-2012 01:19:53 | More by Immortale25

VaterRoss

North Carolina

3.88/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

imbibed at Brixx pizza off a nitro tap

Appearance is black, one of only a few truly opaque beers I have seen. Head is beautiful, looks more like a tan cream than the head of a beer. Small but tenacious head that doesn't leave a lacing per se, but more of a creamy coating to the glass. Smell is roasted malt with some sweetness, coffee. Smoky roasted malt, sweetness, and that stout bitterness. Mouthfeel is very low carb, almost flat.

A sweet and surprisingly mellow stout, my first milk stout. Too low carb for my tastes, almost comes off as flat. Better than your average stout.

Serving type: nitro-tap

01-20-2012 04:26:57 | More by VaterRoss

bigchiefbc

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Jet black after cascade, about a finger of beige/light brown head.

S: Primary aroma is roasted malt, with a hint of sweetness

T: Roasted malts continue to predominate, but the lacto sweetness is definitely making itself known. Finishes with just enough bitterness to make you want to take another. Fantastic session beer.

M: Creamy creamy creaminess. Man, that is one of the smoothest pints I've ever had.

O: One of the best milk/lacto/sweet stouts I've had. I've recommended this beer to so many people, I've lost count.

Serving type: nitro-tap

01-20-2012 01:33:03 | More by bigchiefbc

keytones

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Dark brown, opaque, thin head but great lacing.

Smell is bitter but slightly sweet.

Not what I expected, it's sweet but has somewhat of a bite to it at the end. Cream aftertaste.

Thin and creamy, almost no carbonation. Highly drinkable.

Good session beer. Would like to try it in a bottle because it's definitely caseworthy.

Serving type: nitro-tap

01-16-2012 06:52:17 | More by keytones

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.85/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Going to take another crack at this one, but on nitro this time. Served in a true pint, the beer is jet black in the depths, with a good, bright, ruby refraction on the edges. The foamy, dense head is no joke, and after the cascade, it settles in to a good half inch of beauty. Aromas are heavy on the dark roasted coffee, with a hint of cocoa nib. The beer is ridiculously smooth in mouth, but a little light for the style. Flavors are blended much better than out of the bottle, with the coffee foundation giving rise to some creamy sweet overtones and a subtle vanilla highlight. This beer clings all over the glass. Overall, there is a much better balance and progression on nitro. The aftertaste is light roasting and deliciously sweet, with a smooth, creamy finish. This beer was built for a nitro tap.

Serving type: nitro-tap

01-11-2012 18:07:35 | More by GarthDanielson

njstoutguy

New Jersey

4.7/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

All I can say about this beer is what everyone else that tries it is already thinking...Smooth!

Smooth and creamy roasty chocolate when it's freshly poured when it warms up the roastiness pops up a little more. Black as night with a crimson outer glow. Great head and it keeps it all the way down. Nitro tap is the best way to enjoy the famous left hand milk stout. Probably my favorite stout of all times. Or top 5 at least.

Serving type: nitro-tap

01-07-2012 01:43:01 | More by njstoutguy

Adamostella

Washington

4.2/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

An excellent representation of the style this one delivers exactly what it advertises.

Pours a tad of the lighter side of black, very minimal head. When it appears on Nitro tap, this is hard to pass up, it adds at least a half point on the scale.

The aroma is a mix of light coffee and just enough lactic acid to let you know what this stout is about.

Tastes very close to the smell, this isn't overly complex, it delivers that coffee/milk combo simply and effectively. Not a beer you can spend the night swirling and contemplating, but it just works being a truly enjoyable beer to drink.

Serving type: nitro-tap

12-01-2011 04:45:58 | More by Adamostella

stewart124

Ohio

3.58/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Dark brown to black with reddish hues. Frothy head but this is what I would expect on nitro.

Nose has hints of chocolate and lightly roasted malts.

Creamy mouthfeel but again this is what nitro adds. Very easy roasted malt characters. Nothing acrid or too roasted. There is a sweetness from what I am guessing is the lactose but still this is tame. Hops add little to the overall beer and leave the sweetness to really drives this beer.

Again this is easy to drink. I believe the nitro takes away some bold characters that the roasted malts add. Still a tasty milk stout but I would want a little more bold roasted/dry notes.

Serving type: nitro-tap

11-26-2011 23:46:36 | More by stewart124

brandon911

Texas

4.28/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at Fox and Hound in a pint glass.

It came out with a nice looking, creamy offwhite head about 2 fingers deep. It doesn't have really much going on as far as a smell goes, maybe a lil' chocolate, coffee and roasted malts present. However, what it lacks in smell, it makes up for in taste and mouthfeel! It's a creamy-smooth and sweet beer that's almost like drinking dessert or like beer mixed with milk and coffee. It has profound coffee flavors with some caramel, chocolate and roasted malts present. Hardly any hops are detected. I love this beer, one that I will definitely get again. If it had a better nose, it would probably be in my top five.

Serving type: nitro-tap

11-22-2011 07:02:51 | More by brandon911

sholland119

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On nitro at Station Taproom, 10/27/11.

A - Pours a dark brown, nearly black with a nice foamy white head.

S - Nose is dominated by roasted malt with a bit of sweetness as well.

T- The taste has a nice balance of caramel sweetness and roasted malt. Nicely sweet but not overly so.

M- Medium bodied, creamy in the typical nitro style.

O- A beer I have more or less forgotten about over the years. This still is a tasty brew.

HV

Serving type: nitro-tap

11-14-2011 19:39:13 | More by sholland119