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Cowbell

United States·Imperial Milk Stout
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Double chocolate leads this imperial milk stout, built with oats and lactose and served on nitro. At 8.5% ABV it is a seasonal beer, scheduled for November and December 2026. Voodoo has brewed in Meadville, Pennsylvania since 2005, and the Meadville brewery makes many of its flagship and seasonal beers.

ABV
8.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark35
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
chocolateroastedcoffee
chocolate
roasted
coffee
dark fruit
Aroma
Cocoa and dark chocolate dominate the nose, layered with roasted grain and a subtle coffee undertone.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Cowbell

◎ Appearance

Deep black-brown body with a dense, creamy head sustained by nitrogen carbonation. The pour reveals a rich, opaque character with minimal light transmission, typical of the style's high roast level. Excellent head retention and fine Schaumkleiden cling to the glass throughout the tasting.

opaque black-brownthick nitro headpersistent lacing

◌ Aroma

Cocoa and dark chocolate dominate the nose, layered with roasted grain and a subtle coffee undertone. Lactose and oat adjuncts contribute a soft, creamy sweetness in the background. The overall impression is dessert-forward without sharp roast edges, inviting and approachable despite the beer's strength.

double chocolateroasted cocoacreamy sweetnesssubtle coffee

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and full-bodied, driven by chocolate malt and the silky mouthfeel of lactose and oats. Mid-palate builds a rich, almost dessert-like sweetness with hints of dark fruit and coffee complexity. Bitterness is restrained at 40 IBU, allowing chocolate and cream to remain the focal point without astringency.

chocolate-forwardcreamy mouthfeelrestrained bitternessdark fruit notes

◑ Finish

The finish is long and warming, with chocolate and roasted grain lingering pleasantly as the 8.5% ABV makes its presence known. No harsh drying or excessive sweetness—the milk sugars and oats leave a soft, coating aftertaste.

warm, lingering finishcocoa fade
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
83
Taste
84
Appearance
85
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 Cowbell

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About Imperial Milk Stout

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Imperial 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 Imperial Milk Stout

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

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