4 Hands Madagascar 22OZ

4 Hands Madagascar 22OZ is a bourbon barrel-aged imperial milk stout brewed with hand-cut Madagascar vanilla beans, bottled at 9.3% ABV in a 22oz format. This annual release from 4 Hands Brewing Company carries a 4.3 out of 5 rating on Untappd across more than 6,000 reviews, making it one of the most consistently celebrated barrel-aged stouts in the Midwest.

Quick Facts: ABV: 9.3%  |  Origin: St. Louis, Missouri  |  Style: Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Milk Stout  |  Brewery: 4 Hands Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

4 Hands Brewing Company operates out of the LaSalle Park neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri, and has brewed Madagascar annually since 2014 using the same foundational process. The base beer is an imperial milk stout, fermented with lactose for body and sweetness, then aged in bourbon barrels to introduce oak, caramel, and whiskey character. What distinguishes this release is the vanilla treatment: the brewing team hand-cuts every Madagascar vanilla bean before addition, maximizing surface area and the intensity of flavor extraction. The brewery sources what it considers the finest vanilla available worldwide, and the hand-cutting step is a labor-intensive detail that separates Madagascar from many barrel-aged competitors that rely on vanilla extract or whole pods.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark chocolate dominates the nose immediately, followed by waves of rich vanilla and a subtle coconut sweetness drawn from the bourbon barrel aging. A faint espresso roast lingers beneath, grounding the sweeter aromatics.

Taste: The entry is silky and full, with lactose lending a creamy, almost marshmallow-like sweetness on the front palate. Mid-palate transitions into layered sweet chocolate and nut flavors, while the vanilla backbone runs through every stage, binding the profile together. Espresso bitterness provides balance against the stout's considerable richness.

Finish: A roasty char emerges on the finish, drying out the sweetness and leaving behind toasted oak and dark cocoa. The length is moderate to long, with vanilla and bourbon warmth fading gradually.

How to Drink Madagascar

Pour Madagascar into a snifter or tulip glass at around 50–55°F to allow the vanilla and barrel character to open fully; this beer rewards patience as it warms slightly in the glass. It is best enjoyed on its own as a sipper, but works in creative beer cocktail applications. A Stout Float pairs a pour of Madagascar with high-quality vanilla ice cream, amplifying the vanilla and chocolate notes. A Beer Old Fashioned substitutes a small measure of Madagascar for part of the bourbon, adding roast and sweetness. A Mexican Hot Chocolate riff uses warmed Madagascar with a pinch of cinnamon and cayenne for a decadent cold-weather drink.

Best For

• Sharing after a winter dinner with fellow craft beer enthusiasts
• Gifting to a bourbon barrel-aged stout collector during release season
• Cellaring for one to two years to observe how vanilla and barrel notes evolve
• Pairing with a dessert course at a curated beer dinner

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Madagascar taste like? Madagascar delivers a rich, layered profile of sweet chocolate, hand-cut vanilla, marshmallow, and espresso, with a silky mouthfeel from the milk stout base and a roasty, bourbon-tinged finish.

How does Madagascar compare to Founders KBS? Both are bourbon barrel-aged imperial stouts, but Madagascar leans heavily into vanilla sweetness and a creamier milk stout body, while Founders KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) emphasizes coffee and chocolate with a drier, more tannic barrel presence. Madagascar's hand-cut vanilla bean process gives it a distinctly dessert-forward character compared to KBS's roast-driven intensity.

Is Madagascar good for sipping neat? Madagascar is built for slow sipping at a cool cellar temperature, where its layered vanilla, chocolate, and barrel notes unfold over time. At 9.3% ABV, the alcohol is well-integrated and does not overwhelm the palate.

Where is Madagascar made? Madagascar is brewed at 4 Hands Brewing Company in the LaSalle Park neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri. The brewery has produced this annual release since 2014.

What foods pair well with Madagascar? Dark chocolate truffles complement the stout's cocoa and vanilla notes. Salted caramel brownies mirror the bourbon barrel sweetness. A rich crème brûlée echoes the Madagascar vanilla character. Smoked brisket provides a savory contrast that highlights the roasty finish. Aged gouda offers nutty, caramelized flavors that align with the barrel aging.

What sizes does Madagascar come in? Madagascar is released in a 22oz bomber bottle format, which is the standard packaging for this annual release.

Is Madagascar worth the price? Madagascar positions as a premium seasonal release within the barrel-aged stout category, and its hand-cut vanilla bean process, annual limited availability, and consistently high Untappd ratings support its value at the specialty craft beer tier.

Why Madagascar?

The hand-cutting of every Madagascar vanilla bean is not a marketing flourish — it is a deliberate production step that delivers measurably more intense vanilla flavor than whole-bean or extract methods. Since 2014, 4 Hands has refined this process without changing the core recipe, resulting in a release that has earned a 4.3 out of 5 on Untappd from over 6,000 ratings. In a crowded barrel-aged stout landscape, Madagascar carves out its identity through that vanilla-forward profile, a genuinely silky milk stout body, and the restraint of a 9.3% ABV that keeps the beer drinkable rather than punishing. For anyone serious about bourbon barrel-aged stouts, this annual St. Louis release belongs on the shortlist.