Earlier this year, two icons of the Ottawa area — Beau’s All-Natural Brewing and actor-comedian Tom Green — got together to brew a milk stout. The style was a key plank in the beer-as-health-tonic argument during the early 20th century when prohibition was on the horizon.
This duo were one of a list of brewery-celebrity collaborations (Royal Wood and Ed the Sock also made the cut) featured at the Session Toronto event that capped off Ontario Craft Beer Week last June. Tom Green held up his end of the bargain by taking the beer on Jimmy Fallon’s late night show on NBC.
Milk stout gets its name and healthy reputation from the milk sugar that is added to the brew. In some cases this unfermentable lactose will also give a rounder, fuller mouthfeel.
This one pours a dark walnut brown with hints of amber at the edges. Dark, organic malts drive espresso and chocolate to the top of the aroma list. Rich fruit, likely from the English ale yeast, and a touch of sweetness complement those roasted flavours on the palate.
The Tom Green Beer could use a bit more creaminess, but it’s only fair to mention that it was originally designed for a mid-June release, on what happened to be one of the hottest days of last summer, when drinkers tend to prefer something more sessionable.
During the Late Night appearance, Tom Green announced that the beer will be available in the United States in the new year. This will be one of the first Canadian craft beers to make the jump into an international market.
Beau’s All-Natural Brewing’s The Tom Green Beer, $4.85 for a 600 ml bottle, LCBO #365627
