The wonderful world of beer has created a huge variety of styles. And history has often provided us with names for them that don’t always paint a great picture for what they are or how they are made. Which will lead many to question if a style’s name accurately describes the beer. If this is you, then you’ve probably asked yourself; do milk stouts have milk in them?
Milk Stouts do not contain actual milk but they do contain lactose; aka milk sugar. Which is how this beer was named. Lactose provides sweetness and texture to the beer. Understanding why this is added to the beer is important as is identifying potential concerns for those that are lactose intolerant.
What Is A Milk Stout?
Dark beers come in a wide range of flavors and styles but one of the most recognized versions is the stout. Stouts can come as numerous sub-styles as well; one of those is milk stout. These can also be called cream or sweet stouts.
At first glance, the term milk stout sounds disturbing. Who would want a combination of beer and milk? But don’t be too quick as the word milk is being used here to mean milk sugar.
Milk sugar, aka lactose, comes from milk. This form of sugar isn’t ferment-able so it remains in the final beer compared to other sugars which are converted into alcohol. The result is added sweetness as well as a creamy texture.
Milk stouts are dark in appearance. They can often have a moderate level of coffee and/or chocolate aroma and flavor. This comes from the roasted notes of the malt. For this reason, it is common to see actual coffee or chocolate added to emphasize this profile.
To take the creaminess of this style even further, many breweries will serve their milk stout on nitro.
It will have a low IBU and provide a very smooth drinking experience. While stouts can be known for being “big beers” (aka high alcohol levels) the milk stout will have a lower ABV than other stouts but doesn’t sacrifice flavor to achieve this.
This style typically has a low carbonation level and an ABV of 4-6%. Even with a lower ABV, this beer has relatively heavy body because of the lactose. There are Imperial versions of this style that increase the ABV to levels nearing 10% and provide an even heavier body.
Lactose Intolerance & Milk Stouts
One of the major concerns that may come up when considering a milk stout is whether or not being lactose intolerant is an issue.
The amount of lactose in a milk stout can vary from brewery to brewery. So that means those that normally avoid dairy products need to be cautious. Many believe that it is safe for those that are lactose intolerant to enjoy most milk stouts. But it will depend on how sensitive that person is to lactose. Those with an above average intolerance could very well have reactions from milk stouts. I’m no doctor so if you are concerned, then you should probably consult your doctor.
Personally, there are some tree nuts that I’ve had mild allergic reactions to in the past so I avoid (or at least only sample very small amounts) of any beer that says it contains them. At most, I will taste a sample of someone else’s beer and then wait to see if I react before moving forward. I believe it is better to be cautious then sorry and the same strategy is probably the best way to approach milk stouts.
Learn More About Craft Beer: Porter Vs Stout – What’s The Difference?
Do Milks Stouts Have Milk In Them?
No, brewers are not adding actual milk into their stouts and then serving them to their customers. However, they do contain lactose. Which has given them their name and for some, a warning to avoid this style.
Milk stouts have been popular for a long time. While a traditional stout focuses on roasted flavors and a firm bitterness that is reminiscent of dark chocolate, milk stouts have a creamy body along with a lasting sweetness. For many, milk stouts embody the perfect balance of sweet and roasted components. This can all be achieved with a lower ABV as well.
If you haven’t tried a milk stout and are able to have lactose, then make sure you pick some up. Many breweries will include a milk stout in their normal rotation and there are plenty of packaged options as well. While it seems like high ABV stouts continually to be more popular, there’s a lot to love about the milk stout.
