4 Hands Chocolate Milk Cereal Variety 9Pk

4 Hands Chocolate Milk Cereal Variety 9pk is a mixed nine-pack of cereal-inspired milk stout variations from 4 Hands Brewing Company, featuring three 16 oz cans of each style at 5.5% ABV. Built on the brewery's acclaimed Chocolate Milk Stout — which holds a 90/100 rating on BeerAdvocate across 765 reviews — this variety pack channels breakfast cereal nostalgia through a rich, cacao-forward base beer.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.5%  |  Origin: St. Louis, Missouri  |  Style: Milk Stout Variety Pack  |  Brewery: 4 Hands Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

4 Hands Brewing Company operates out of St. Louis, Missouri, and has built a reputation for bold, inventive beers rooted in solid brewing fundamentals. The Chocolate Milk Stout at the heart of this variety pack is brewed with milk sugar (lactose) and an unusually generous 3 lbs of cacao nibs per barrel, producing a notably thick chocolate character that goes well beyond what most milk stouts deliver. The cereal variety pack takes that proven base and layers on breakfast cereal-inspired flavor profiles across three distinct variations, each packaged in 16 oz cans.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The foundation carries baking chocolate and roasted barley up front, followed by milk chocolate sweetness and subtle vanilla. Across the variations, expect those core aromas layered with cereal-grain sweetness and toasted malt accents.

Taste: The palate opens with sweet toasted malt before moving into dark semisweet chocolate with a creamy lactose backbone. Mid-palate brings loads of chocolate flavor — a direct result of the heavy cacao nib addition — balanced by hints of coffee and cream. Each cereal variation introduces its own twist on this rich, dessert-forward profile.

Finish: Smooth and medium in length, with lingering cocoa and a gentle roasted grain dryness. The lactose rounds out the close, keeping bitterness low and drinkability high despite the full-bodied texture.

How to Drink the Chocolate Milk Cereal Variety

These stouts drink best at cellar temperature, around 50–55°F, which allows the chocolate and cereal nuances to fully express. Pouring into a tulip glass or snifter concentrates the aromas and showcases the dark, creamy head.

• Stout Float: Drop a scoop of vanilla ice cream into a pint — the lactose sweetness and cacao depth create a legitimate dessert experience.
• Black Velvet (modified): A slow blend with dry sparkling cider lightens the body while preserving the chocolate notes.
• Beer Cocktail with Cold Brew: A small pour of cold-brew coffee concentrate amplifies the roasted and coffee undertones already present in the stout.

Best For

• Sharing with friends during a blind tasting of all three cereal variations
• Pairing with a weekend brunch spread as a dessert-style beer
• Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast who gravitates toward stouts and porters
• Capping off a barbecue or cookout with a rich, sweet nightcap

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the 4 Hands Chocolate Milk Cereal Variety taste like? The core profile is rich milk chocolate with roasted barley, hints of coffee, and a creamy lactose sweetness, with each of the three cereal-inspired variations adding its own distinct twist on that chocolatey foundation.

How does 4 Hands Chocolate Milk Stout compare to Left Hand Milk Stout? 4 Hands uses 3 lbs of cacao nibs per barrel, which pushes its chocolate intensity well beyond Left Hand's more restrained, balanced milk chocolate approach. Left Hand Milk Stout tends toward a drier, more traditionally roasty profile, while 4 Hands leans sweeter and more dessert-forward.

Is the Chocolate Milk Cereal Variety good for beginners? Yes — the lactose-driven sweetness and low bitterness make these very approachable stouts, especially for drinkers who typically avoid dark beers. The cereal theme and 5.5% ABV keep things sessionable and fun.

Where is the Chocolate Milk Cereal Variety made? It is brewed by 4 Hands Brewing Company in St. Louis, Missouri, a city with a deep brewing tradition and one of the country's most active craft beer scenes.

What foods pair well with this variety pack? Chocolate brownies or lava cake mirror the cacao intensity. Smoked brisket provides savory contrast to the sweetness. Salted pretzels highlight the malt and chocolate interplay. Peanut butter desserts complement the roasted grain and cocoa notes. Sharp cheddar or aged gouda cuts through the richness with tangy, crystalline bite.

What sizes does the Chocolate Milk Cereal Variety come in? This product is packaged as a 9-pack containing three 16 oz cans of each cereal-inspired variation.

Is the 4 Hands Cereal Variety worth the price? It positions as a specialty craft variety pack, and the inclusion of three distinct stout variations brewed with premium ingredients like cacao nibs and lactose provides solid value for stout fans looking to explore a range of flavors in one purchase.

Why the Chocolate Milk Cereal Variety?

The foundation here is no ordinary milk stout — 3 lbs of cacao nibs per barrel is a significant addition that produces genuine chocolate depth rather than token cocoa flavor. A 90/100 BeerAdvocate rating on the base Chocolate Milk Stout, backed by over 48,000 Untappd ratings at 3.9/5, confirms this recipe has broad community approval. The cereal variety format transforms a single well-proven beer into three distinct experiences, making this nine-pack one of the more creative stout releases to come out of St. Louis. For anyone who values bold, dessert-leaning dark beers with real substance behind the concept, this pack delivers.