First Posted: 2/9/2015
Glassware: The Spiegelau stout glass is best for this beer to capture the aroma and help the beer slowly reach room temperature to unlock all the flavors within. However a snifter or nonic pint glass is also great for the beer.
Description: Moo-Hoo Stout pours a deep black with ruby highlights around the edges. It has a beige head that recedes and leaves little lacing behind on the glass. The aroma is filled with notes of chocolate and roasted malts. The taste follows the nose but seems to really open up the flavors on the palate. Chocolate milk is the best way to describe this beer, but it is far from being overly sweet. The sweet, milk chocolate hits the palate first and is followed by hints of coffee, toffee, and caramel, but again is not too sweet. The semi-dry finish really makes this a beer that is difficult to put down. The medium mouthfeel and carbonation make for a wonderful delivery vessel. Terrapin truly shows a strong hand in brewing world class stouts and Moo-Hoo Stout certainly proves that.
Food pairing: The sweet chocolate notes make this a perfect beer for desserts, especially those with a creamy texture. Try pairing Moo-Hoo Stout with vanilla bean cheesecake, vanilla custard pie, and vanilla crème brulee. The vanilla adds an extra flavor depth to this chocolate-heavy beer while the creamy desserts enhance the body of Moo-Hoo. The two seemingly melt into one another for a fantastic experience. If instead the aim is to enhance the chocolate flavors, try pairing with chocolate truffles, chocolate mousse pie, four layer chocolate cake, or Mississippi mud pie. The chocolate explosion that will incur will truly be eye opening. Moo-Hoo goes well with anything enhanced by chocolate. Pairings are truly endless.
The Final Word: Terrapin has made a name for themselves with a wide array of beers in many different styles. However, when it comes to stouts, the brewery truly shines. The Wake n Bake stout is one that is eagerly awaited each year, not to mention the world class French Toasted Wake n Bake. Moo-Hoo Stout is enjoyable and has something for everyone. It drinks like dessert in a glass but is not overly sweet. It is complex enough for true beer geeks, but is approachable enough for craft newbies. The sweet chocolate, creamy taste and incredibly smooth body make this a stout you will want on hand year round. However, it is a seasonal release so stock up now before it’s all gone.
Where can I get it? : Currently available in 12 oz. bottles at: Cooper’s Seafood- Scranton; Backyard Ale House- Scranton; Krugel’s Georgetown Deli- Wilkes Barre; and Goldstein’s Deli- Kingston
Remember, enjoy responsibly!
