Choc-Milk Stout by T-Bone Brewing

This week, on the strength of a reader recommendation, we return to Tasmania once again for T-Bone Brewing’s Choc-Milk Stout.

I have a well-documented affinity for Tasmanian craft beer (see Last Rites, Ocho, Little Rivers, Bruny Island, Van Dieman).  However, I had not heard of T-Bone Brewing before I received the tip.  After a bit of research (i.e. googling) it turns out they’re based out of an awesome looking brewpub in North Hobart.  In additional to an excellent sounding core range, their beer list has a bevy of intriguing seasonal entries that I will be keeping an eye out for.  T-Bone’s Big Old Stout, Pineapple Punch IIPA, Peanut Butter Porter, and Heritage Red IPA are all beers I’ll be anxiously waiting to come back into stock.  I did, however, order myself a 4-pack of 50/50 IPA.  It’s a tropical, hoppy explosion of an IPA and well worth a try. 

But I have digressed a bit.  Because the focus of this post (and of the tip I received) is the Choc-Milk Stout.  And that tip was spot on.  At first sip, the Choc-Milk Stout tastes like a fairly standard Australian stout.  It’s not too heavy and has a very pleasant, though not spectacular, roasty flavour.  But just as you’re about to swallow, the complexion of the beer changes completely.  A late surge of smooth, chocolaty richness comes sliding in, seemingly out of nowhere, and really elevates this to something special. 

It’s almost a bit startling how sequentially the tastes emerge and change. I had to take several sips before I really got a handle on it.  But holy cow, it’s good.  It’s a little tough to properly put into words as there’s a bunch of different adjectives that come to mind.  Complex doesn’t quite fit.  Unique and rich are definitely much closer to the mark.  But I’m gonna just settle for delicious.

Tasmanian craft breweries are once again kicking serious craft beer goals, with T-Bone Brewing just the latest standard-bearer.  If the rest of their beer line-up is anything close to the Choc-Milk Stout (and 50/50 IPA for that matter), my list of Tassie craft breweries to visit just got a little longer.  Although, if I’m being honest, T-Bone would be on the list on the strength of the Choc-Milk Stout alone.