Tasting Notes: Milton Brewery: Nero

Milton Brewery: Nero (England: Stout: 5% ABV)

Visual:  Very dark brown black with a thin dash of mocha froth coloured head.

Nose: Bitter creamy coffee and ground nuts.   Slight ash.  A very evident aroma, smooth and obvious.

Body: Very smooth. Bitter and nuts. Milky. Black cherry undertones. Hazelnuts.  Liquorice. Bitter coffee and slight sour undertones.

Finish: Slight liquorice, bitter and light dust. Flour textured. Milk chocolate and ash.

Conclusion:  This was highly recommended so I came to it with my interest already wetted, and in full readiness for the drinking to come.

It’s very smooth indeed for the style, and builds slowly at that.  The first touch seemed far too light, but the bitter coffee and slight sourness builds impressively.  It really is built as a session stout, and in that role it sits perfectly.  Smooth, creamy and flavoursome. It paces itself very well, and the smoke back gives a moment of rest between each sip, but without the beer vanishing completely.

Very good, and sits well for a nights drinking, in some ways more porter than stout, but that’s nit picking maybe.  One word of warning, the subtlety of it would probably not suit well after harsher beers, so pick your timings carefully.

Background: Whilst Milton is a name I’ve seen crop up a few times, this was to be a beer I came across without any preconceptions.  I say “was” as immediately upon its order its virtues were extolled to me by a friendly pair at the bar, leading to a fun discussion on beer, whisky as payment for playing, and the like.   Much as I enjoyed the conversation, I must say it did kinda blow my impartiality out of the water. Ah well , a fair trade I feel.