Southern Grist "Tuxedos and Top Hats" Milk Stout

This beer says it was inspired by candy. Specifically, it was inspired by the turtle candy that I've never really been a fan of. I think it is more the texture that I don't care for, so putting the taste in the middle of the texture of a beer may very well overcome that issue. Either way, a good sweet stout (or milk stout, if you prefer) should be a decent base for it.

The very dark brown beer is not impervious to light, and that really surprises me. I expect most of these beers to be thick and opaque, but this one is brown with a red hue, and a good light source on the other side can shine on through. The tan head is a pretty good size, and it dissipates to a very thin cover that goes the whole way across the beer, even if it leaves no lacing. The aroma is sweet cream, caramel, dry crackers, and chocolate.

First sip is striking, but good. there is more coffee to it than the turtles it's based on would have. The chocolate is slathered in caramel, and the salt is making my mouth a bit dry, but that might be the rest of the beer. smoke and oatmeal are in the back of this, and they don't feel at home in the beer.

Tip-in is light carbonation tingle with caramel and salt right up front. The chocolate is a thin film that brings a bit of sweetness and a slight bitterness. The middle spread across the mouth with the traditional milk stout smoothness with chocolate and caramel in tow. The finish is coffee, smoke, and sweetness before a dryness and a lingering bitterness enters for the trail-off.

Bottom Line: Another dessert beer that I have to recommend.

3.75/5