Monday, May 27, 2013

Duck-Rabbit Milk Stout

I was pretty pleased with the Duck-Rabbit barleywine that I tried a little while back, so when I went for a mix-a-six, I tossed in a different Duck-Rabbit beer -- their Milk Stout:


Vittles:
Sweet Stout
5.7% abv

First Impression:
My first sip was so tasty I decided that the usual boring breakdown of facets was just too... boring.  If you like stouts, you'll like this beer.  This guy really knows his brews.  It's got all of the right scents and flavors, nothing off, and it's just a phenomenal example of what a sweet/milk stout should be.

Appearance: 10/10
The very dark, nearly black color of this beer turns a brilliantly clear ruby color when held up to the light.  The light also reveals steady effervescence, which helps to maintain a thin head as I slowly enjoy this one.  The head is a creamy tan, and it started about an inch tall, fell slowly, and left slight lacing as it went.

Aroma: 23/25
Roasty, chocolatey, coffee-y, and sweet, this is what I want my stouts to smell like.  The focus is clearly on the complex character of the roasted malt, and it's really well done.  As it warms to room temperature, I smell something very similar to dark fruits, particularly raisins, becoming more apparent.

Taste: 35/40
Roasted flavors dominate, but they aren't harsh or bitter as I've tasted in other stouts.  They're mellow, well-blended, and assertive.  In particular, I like the way the chocolate, coffee, and molasses flavors come together.  As the beer warmed, I did taste something like raisins, but with less sweetness, more of a savory dark fruit flavor.

Mouthfeel: 9/10
This is a chewy beer, but it's also creamy and velvety on the tongue.  It's very smooth, a little resiny, and it finishes slightly dry.

Style: 5/5
You can't describe the style any better than this.  It's textbook, and it's delicious.

Drinkability: 8/10
I could have maybe two of these back-to-back on a cold day.  Very tasty, supremely enjoyable, but at 5.7%, I wouldn't want more than two in a row.

Overall: 90/100
I was hoping this would land in the A category because it really is that good of a beer.  It's probably one of the best stouts I've had in the last five years.  I will absolutely be looking for this beer again (as well as their barleywine!), and I can't wait to try more of their beers.  It's a shame the closest place that sells these beers is about an hour-long drive from my house.

Cheers!

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