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Tonkoko

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Tonkoko is Brew York's flagship milk stout at 4.3%, brewed since 2016. It is infused with hand-toasted coconut, Belgian cacao nibs, Madagascan vanilla and tonka beans in a vessel the brewery built for the purpose, and is described as silky smooth and indulgent; many drinkers liken it to a chocolate-coated coconut bar. Lactose is part of the recipe. Tonkoko is sold on cask and in cans, is listed by British supermarkets and has served as the base for more than 25 special editions.

ABV
4.3%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark35
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
chocolatevanillaroasted
chocolate
vanilla
roasted
coffee
dark fruit
Aroma
The nose is dominated by rich chocolate and roasted malt, with prominent vanilla and tonka bean notes that add a subtle spiced warmth.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Tonkoko

◎ Appearance

Tonkoko presents a deep brown to black body with excellent opacity, characteristic of its 35 SRM profile. The dense, tan head settles into a persistent collar with strong lacing that clings to the glass walls. Carbonation is gentle and restrained, reinforcing the beer's creamy, indulgent character.

deep brown-blackdense headexcellent lacinglow carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose is dominated by rich chocolate and roasted malt, with prominent vanilla and tonka bean notes that add a subtle spiced warmth. Hand-toasted coconut emerges as a supporting thread, while hints of dark coffee and cocoa powder ground the bouquet. The overall impression is intensely aromatic without being cloying, with the lactose lending a faint creaminess to the aroma.

cocoa and chocolatetoasted coconutvanilla and tonkaroasted malt

◐ Taste

Entry is silky and full-bodied, with chocolate and roasted malt establishing the palate immediately. Mid-palate reveals layered notes of Madagascan vanilla, Belgian cacao nibs, and the distinctive tonka bean sweetness, while coconut adds textural complexity. Bitterness is restrained at 18 IBU, allowing the indulgent adjunct profile to dominate, with a subtle coffee note emerging on the back palate.

chocolate-forwardcreamy mouthfeellow bitternesscomplex sweetness

◑ Finish

The finish is smooth and lingering, with chocolate and vanilla fading gradually into a warm, slightly sweet aftertaste. Residual coconut and tonka notes persist gently without becoming cloying.

long finishsweet fadesmooth aftertaste
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
80
Finish
79
Serve at 10–14°C

Slightly warmer than you might expect. 10–13°C lets the roasted malt, chocolate and coffee notes open up fully.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Drink within a year. Standard stouts are best fresh but hold reasonably well for 6–12 months.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Tonkoko

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About Milk Stout

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Milk Stout?

Stouts are dark ales with roasted barley character, 4–8% ABV and IBU 25–45. Expect coffee, dark chocolate and toast flavors with a creamy body and dry finish.

Finding a similar Milk Stout

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same chocolate, smooth, vanilla character as Tonkoko will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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