The Brew Guru tastes Left Hand Milk Stout, or, Sweet, dark surrender

Among the avalanche of information on the new prez to reach The Brew Guru last week was the tidbit that Barack Obama is a lefty. There he was, hunched over that little table, signing – and probably smudging – executive orders. That was news to the Guru because he, of course, is a boring old right-hander. Any proud lefty probably knew of his kinship with months ago. Southpaws, which comprise about 13 percent of the population, have a disproportionately prodigious record when it comes to inventions, art, leadership and other accomplishments. They also, apparently, adjust more quickly to seeing underwater. Very helpful.

This week’s brew: Left Hand Milk Stout

Style: Stout

Brewed by: Left Hand Brewing in Longmont, Colo., about a half-hour northwest of Boulder and about an hour north of Denver.

Availability: For this brew, as with most beers brewed outside the Central time zone, rely on bigger liquor stores or those that cater to craft tastes.

In the glass: No, it doesn’t taste like milk. It tastes like beer – specifically, a really, really good stout. Left Hand says the lactose (milk sugar) is added to balance the malt’s roastiness, which is present in spades, but it also gives the aroma a chocolatey sweetness that doesn’t necessarily gibe with the flavor. The chocolate malts (so named for their color, not necessarily their flavor) and other darker grains make Milk Stout as dark as a Northwoods night.

Backwash: The Brew Guru doesn’t put much stock in awards – if Miller Lite can boast of a World Beer Cup gold medal, what’s it worth? – but Left Hand has brought home a well-deserved gold for Milk Stout at two WBCs in a row. (It competed in the sweet stout category.) It’s a worthy addition to whatever hand you choose to hold it in.

3½ mugs (out of four)