The Bruery 8 Maids-A-Milking

The Bruery 8 Maids-A-Milking is a Milk/Sweet Stout fermented with The Bruery’s house Belgian-style yeast strain. 11.3% ABV.

This pours with a dark cola color and a big light brown head. I was expecting a good bit more sweeter chocolate notes and roast, but the yeast is really dominating the aroma. A big amount of fruitiness and a little Belgian “funk” are dominating a hint of mild roast on the nose. Again the taste is dominated by the yeast. This is drinking more like a Belgian Strong Dark Ale as opposed to a Milk Stout. Big dark fruits are in the forefront of the taste but a nice amount of sweet milk chocolate compliments it. The aftertaste is a pleasant combo of raisin, alcohol and roast. The mouth-feel also leans more towards the Belgian side with a bright carbonation that has some serious tingle, not the smooth creamy feel of many Milk Stouts. (After the beer warms a good bit some distinct cherry and a subtle hint of coffee comes out as well)

I understand how the “12 Days of Christmas” series was in need of this being a Milk Stout, but in reality this landed pretty far outside of the style.