Mast Landing Gunner's Daughter
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Tasting Notes
The aroma opens with roasted barley, cocoa powder, and a gentle sweetness reminiscent of chocolate milk. On the palate, flavors of dark chocolate and coffee sit alongside a noticeable but not cloying lactose sweetness, with a soft, full body that comes from the unfermentable milk sugars. The finish is smooth and moderately roasted, with just enough bitterness to keep things balanced rather than dessert-sweet.
About the Brewery
Mast Landing is based in Westbrook, Maine, and has been part of the Maine craft beer scene since around 2016. They've built a strong regional reputation across a range of styles, with particular recognition for their hazy and New England-style IPAs, but they've consistently shown range across darker and maltier styles as well. They operate a taproom and have solid distribution across the Northeast.
Food Pairings
Oysters on the half shell are a classic match here, as the roasted bitterness cuts through the brine in a way that's been a tradition since stouts were poured in London dockside bars. A bacon cheeseburger pairs well because the smoky, fatty richness echoes the roasted malt character without overwhelming it. Dark chocolate brownies work with the cocoa notes already present in the beer, reinforcing rather than contrasting. BBQ pulled pork benefits from the sweetness of the lactose balancing out tangy sauce.
Style Guide
Milk stouts, sometimes called sweet stouts, are defined by the addition of lactose — a sugar derived from milk — which yeast cannot ferment, leaving behind residual sweetness and a fuller, creamier body. The style originated in early 20th-century Britain, partly marketed as a restorative drink, and sits in contrast to dry Irish stouts like Guinness, which rely on roasted barley for a drier, more bitter finish. Flavors typically center on chocolate, light coffee, and a gentle sweetness, with ABVs generally running in the modest 4–6% range. The lactose addition is the defining technical and sensory marker that separates this from other stout subcategories.