Zipline Milk Stout

We're certainly still in the stout season (winter, cold, ice, dark), but milk stouts, also known as sweet stouts or cream stouts, usually make an appearance around Imbolc (Groundhog Day for you civilians). Typically, sugars are converted to alcohol during the fermentation process, but the sugar known as lactose does not convert to alcohol. By including some lactose in the brewing process a subtle sweetness is imparted to the finished beer. Zipline, as usual, does a fine job with this style. It pours a deep chocolatey brown, with a towering four-finger tan head. The hops register at 47 IBUs, which theoretically make it pretty bitter, but the sweetness of the lactose balance out the hoppiness giving it a solid character. A hint of chocolate, coffee and vanilla notes tickle the taste buds. If you're a stout/porter novice, a milk stout might be where you want to start on your dark journey.