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I'm genuinely shocked that there is a version of Left Hand's milk stout that I haven't tried yet. I believe the nitrogenated milk stout was the first milk stout I had ever tried, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. I think the original, carbonated version, is probably superior, but they are both quite enjoyable. Since then, there have been many derivations that have tried to improve upon the winning formula, and I am here for all of the attempts.
Nothing surprising about the pour, as it's a black beer with a little ruby around the edges. I managed to get quite a bit of head to come out as I poured, but the head does not stick around. The result is a dusting of bubbles like an almost entirely sunny day with just a few scattered clouds in the sky. There isn't even a strong ring around the sides of the glass, as I more frequently find. The aroma smells like chocolate, and you can definitely smell that there's something a little extra that has been added. However that extra flavoring is hard to pinpoint.
First sip dispels any idea that this is just a regular chocolate milk stout. The chili powder is overwhelming the vanilla entirely, but the chocolate is managing to hold its own. The result is a fairly scrumptious beer that has the soothing effect of the lactose with the aggravating effect of the chili. I find the combination intriguing, if not immediately enjoyable. I suspect more drinking of this beverage will reveal the reasons why these flavors are intended to go together.
Tip-in is relatively smooth with the chocolate and vanilla hitting the back of the tongue with slight carbonation to add a fizzle while the chili powder stings the front of the tongue a bit to let you know that the beverage has depth. The middle fantastically sends the chili powder to the roof of the mouth while the chocolate and vanilla syrup flows effortlessly down the gullet, unfazed by the relatively mild heat coming from the chili. The finish is the downside; the chili powder seems to overwhelm everything in an unpleasant manner as bitterness hits it to fight for supremacy.
Bottom Line: Keep trying, and I will keep sampling.
2.25/5
