Left Hand Brewing Co. – Longmont, CO
20 years ago, Left Hand Brewing Co. brewed their bestselling beer, Milk Stout. It is the most popular beer in their extensive lineup. In 2011 the introduced the first packaged nitro beer without the use of a widget. About 4 years ago, Left Hand contacted Ball Canning to see if they could develop a can that could deliver the amazing beer in a canned product. Ball came up with a small plastic widget that secures to the bottom of the can, and when the can is opened it releases the nitrogen gas into the beer. (here’s the link the video of this process – https://youtu.be/uwH78O7cJE8 ). The result is an amazingly creamy delicious straight from the can drinkable beer.
In 1990 co-founder Dick Doore received a small home brewing kit for Christmas and was obsessed. Left Hand Brewing Company began in Longmont, Colorado in 1993. They have a long history of producing great beers and in 2015 became an employee owned (ESOP) company with a dedication to sustainability and craft brewing independence. Their products are available in over 40 states in the U.S.
On a trip to Africa in 1998 Dick was inspired by a local sweet stout, and upon returning home, began working his own recipe. A year later, the first batch of Milk Stout was brewed. What makes the sweet stout different from a traditional or imperial style stout is the lower bitterness. If you have ever had a stout, and didn’t like the roasted coffee beer taste, then this style is for you. Sweet stouts have a milder flavor to bring out the malt flavor and its sweetness, they also tend to have a lower (4-6%) alcohol level. A Milk Stout is a sub style that adds further sweetness by adding lactose. Interesting fact, it was marketed in the early 1900’s to nursing mothers a s nutritious beverage.
Those of you with dairy sensitive tummies (like mine can be at times) will read that paragraph and dismissing trying this beer but hold up! I had absolutely no adverse reaction after drinking this beer. I also can see those of you who hate “sweet beverages” also starting to move on. You should also hold your horses. Left Hand’s Milk Stout Nitro is a full bodied, well balanced stout that doesn’t taste overly sweet. They use several other types of grains to keep the bitterness down and to achieve this stout’s incredible soft mouthfeel. This beer has an amazing dark black color with a creamy tan head that looks as great as it feels and tastes. It has a dark malty fragrance with hints of cream and coffee. The taste is like a dark chocolate milk, with a roasted barley maltiness. Like I mentioned, Milk Stout Nitro has a full body, but feels so soft and warm when you’re dinking it and finishes with a chocolate sweetness. I’ll be honest, I was thoroughly sold on this beer from first taste and it will be a regular staple in my fridge this winter. You’d be happy settling into a couch on a chilly afternoon or evening and enjoying a few of these beers.
Happy Exploring,
Tim – Fermented Explorer