Anyone ever used lactose for anything other than a milk/sweet stout? Seems like this would be a useful adjunct since it adds residual sweetness fairly easily, but as far as I know, it isn't used for almost anything else. Seems like there has to be some other style this would work in...
The problem is that it doesnt just add sweetness, it also adds a milky flavor, which would be out of place in most styles.
3 Floyd's has a DIPA that it uses lactose I believe. It's called Apocalypse Cow. Almost certain it's lactose in it. It's really one hell of a brew fresh and on tap! One of my favorites Double checked it, yes it's Lactose. It's their June release.
I guess I thought that with all the wacky things folks do with homebrew, someone would have thought of a constructive use for it in other ways besides a milk stout. I personally was thinking about a small amount of it in a fruit beer; say, like strawberries/peaches and cream. But I'm on the fence about it. Was hoping someone else had something good to say...
I think it has potential to compliment any medium to dark style beer. I'd make sure there's loads of crystal malt though in the grain bill. Maybe if I ever get the guts to have 5 gallons of nut brown around I'll add it to late primary. Edit: You might be on to something with a fruited wheat beer. I think this is a tricky style without lactose.
I do a lot of milk stouts, so have used it there, but also in a creme brulee beer (a Blonde Ale with Carmelized sugar and vanilla beans). Also used it in a peanut butter cup stout to give it the creamyness and sweetness to go with the cocoa nibs and peanut butter.
Lactose was used in Scotch Ales (ones actually brewed in Scotland). Pretty Things 1939 No. 1 Ale contains lactose.
