Epic Brewing Milk Stout

“Classic American-hop profile on the nose: orange peel, earthy, some pine. Hints of caramel, toffee. Sip has a healthy pine and orange bitterness balanced by a boozy caramel sweetness. Some spicy warmth emerges in the finish.”

“Smells like a freshly poured Italian espresso. An unexpected banana ester on the nose nicely complements caramel and brown sugar. Taste is also coffee-centric, like a Cuban coffee, laced with caramelized sugar. Minimal barrel and aged character.”

**Aroma:** “Strong bold notes espresso roast character up front with a nice creamy-like lactose sweetness and some nice dry chocolate character and coffee. Clean, with very little fruitiness from esters. Some mild earthiness and murkiness as the coffee fades. Some dark chocolate notes.” **Flavor:** “The coffee character continues into the taste with milky lactose sweetness that is nicely balanced with caramel sweetness and roasted character, reminiscent of dark chocolate and espresso. Light tannic astringency in the finish, which helps cut some of the sweet. Aftertaste is chocolaty and smooth. Light earthy hops with just enough bitterness to keep the sweetness in check.” **Overall:** “A very well balanced and very complex, full-bodied stout that is reminiscent of chocolate milk mixed with cold-brewed coffee. I love the rounded lactose character offset by the dark malt bitterness. Roasted malt character is excellent, and sweetness is perfect for the style. I could see myself drinking a lot of this through the fall and winter months.”