BEER REVIEW: Singlecut Beersmith’s “Eric” More Cowbell! Chocolate Milk Stout at NOORMAN’S KIL

My search for the best beer in New York continues….

SADLY, NOORMAN’S KIL IS NOW CLOSED.

Most people assume that stouts start and end with Guinness. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Stouts, while all dark and roasty, can range in flavor (and ingredients). Put the word oatmeal, coffee, milk, or oyster in front of the word stout and you get a good sense of the variety of flavors in this one style.

Singlecut has brewed a seasonal chocolate milk stout for the holidays (to pair with Santa’s cookies perhaps?) I found it on tap at the end of my Brewed in Brooklyn tour at Noorman’s Kil.

The cozy Williamsburg bar specializes in both a wide range of whiskeys and a modest selection of American craft beers. The name is a nod to a piece of local history – named for the creek (“kil” in Gaelic) that used to run through this area.

The beer was as black as a cold night with a tan full head. The notes of chocolate on the nose matched the flavor. But it wasn’t too sweet. It had a rich, milky mouthfeel that could convince people they were in fact drinking chocolate milk. It was mighty tasty, but with the bitterness and alcohol hidden so well, it’s a dangerous proposition. At over 6% ABV, Santa needs to check himself before he wrecks himself.

Is Singlecut Beersmith’s Eric “More Cowbell” Milk Chocolate Stout the best beer in NY? It’s a nice warming stout that is rich, chocolatey, and very smooth. Perfect for winter desserts. 8 out of 10.