Venona
Autodidact Beer

 

Reviewed one week after can release. I let it sit at room temperature for 1.5 hours before opening. Served in a tulip glass. It is nearly ink black in color. The big, rocky, medium-mocha-colored head dissipated quickly leaving a ring. Great smell: roasted malt, chocolate, freshly-brewed coffee, vanilla, and a whiff of tobacco smoke. Nice balance between the chocolate malt and the Tahiti vanilla. And the smoky smell carries forward in the flavor. The coffee notes are fresh and not overly acidic and there is a good earthy char base. For a Milk Stout there is very good depth of flavor. For the style and the 6% ABV, the mouth feel is extraordinary. It is a lot more viscous and creamy than I expected. Overall, Venona is a great example of the style. Not many local breweries make a Milk Stout - let alone can it. Kudos to Autodidact!