Katy and Sasha are the contributors for Ottawa Beer Events! They
have distinctly different palates and in this segment they go
head-to-head tasting La Vache Folle Imperial Milk Stout by Microbrasserie Charlevoix.
Katy:
A milk stout is a stout that has lactose, milk sugar, added to the brew kettle for sweetness and body. If you're vegan this beer is not for you otherwise this is a must try brew for any beer fan.
La Vache Folle pours a deep black with a light mocha head and sweet aromas of dark chocolate milk, roasted malt and raisin. The first taste is all sweet with hints of dark chocolate and coffee that progress to a slightly fruitier raisin flavour and finishes with a roasted vanilla. As it warms it seems to get sweeter with notes of chocolate milk becoming more prominent.
This is a solid stout and although it's very sweet it's also very balanced – the sweetness won't overwhelm you. Be careful though, at 9% ABV this brew does go down a bit too easy. It also induces a craving for the chocolatiest of chocolate cakes.
The Charlevoix Vache Folle Imperial Milk Stout pours a rich dark chocolate brown with a thin caramel head.
The aroma is rich with mixture of coffee and caramel with slight nuttiness.
The taste mirrors the aroma with bold coffee and subtle nut flavours and with a 9% ABV you definitely get a slight burn from the alcohol on the palate.
Overall a well balanced stout, full bodied and creamy (and delicious).
La Vache Folle Imperial Milk Stout is available at Bières Du Monde (181 Rue Principal Aylmer, QC) - lesbieresdumonde.com
