Left Hand Bittersweet Nitro 4Pk Cans

Left Hand Bittersweet Nitro 4Pk Cans is a nitrogen-infused imperial milk stout from Left Hand Brewing Company in Colorado, clocking in at 8.9% ABV. Scored 90 on BeerAdvocate and loaded with over 700 pounds of Allegro Coffee per batch, this is a bold, dessert-worthy stout that pushes the boundaries of Left Hand's acclaimed Nitro lineup.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.9%  |  Origin: Longmont, Colorado, USA  |  Style: Imperial Milk Stout  |  Brewery: Left Hand Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Left Hand Brewing Company, founded in 1993 in Longmont, Colorado, pioneered the widget-free nitro can and has built its reputation on nitrogen-infused beers. Bittersweet Nitro takes the brewery's flagship Milk Stout Nitro as a starting point and amplifies everything — the ABV rises from 6% to 8.9%, and the grain bill is charged with over 700 pounds of Allegro Coffee featuring a special blend of Indonesian and Ethiopian beans. The nitrogen infusion replaces aggressive carbonation with a cascading, creamy pour that smooths out the stout's substantial body and allows the coffee and malt complexity to take center stage.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Roasted coffee dominates the nose, joined by earthy tones and blueberry esters drawn from the Ethiopian coffee beans. Underneath, subtle black pepper spice and a faint vegetal quality add depth without overwhelming the roast character.

Taste: The entry hits with bitter espresso that quickly gives way to layers of bittersweet chocolate, vanilla, and whipping cream. Mid-palate, dark fruit — dried cherries specifically — emerges alongside licorice, while a mocha-like sweetness ties the coffee and chocolate elements together. The 8.9% ABV stays remarkably hidden behind the stout's richness.

Finish: Almost chewy in texture, the finish lingers with chocolate, dried cherry, and charred malt. The nitrogen-driven creaminess carries through to the very end, leaving a silky coating and a final roasted coffee echo.

How to Drink Bittersweet Nitro

Pour the entire can in one smooth, inverted motion into a pint glass or tulip to activate the nitrogen cascade — let it settle before drinking. Serve at around 45–50°F to let the coffee and chocolate nuances fully express themselves. While this imperial stout stands best on its own, it can anchor a few indulgent mixed drinks: an Espresso Stout Float (topped with vanilla bean ice cream) plays to the mocha and cream notes; a Stout Old Fashioned (with bourbon and chocolate bitters) amplifies the dark fruit and roast; and a Mexican Hot Chocolate Stout (warmed gently with a pinch of cayenne and cinnamon) highlights the spicy undertones from the Indonesian coffee.

Best For

• Dessert course replacement at a dinner party
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates coffee stouts
• Cold-weather evening sessions by the fire
• Pairing alongside a charcuterie board with dark chocolate

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bittersweet Nitro taste like? Bittersweet Nitro delivers bold espresso bitterness layered with bittersweet chocolate, vanilla cream, dried cherry, and licorice, all carried by a velvety nitrogen-driven body. The 8.9% ABV is well-hidden beneath the stout's rich sweetness and creamy mouthfeel.

How does Bittersweet Nitro compare to Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro? Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro sits at 6% ABV and serves as the brewery's flagship with a lighter, more approachable roasted malt profile. Bittersweet Nitro is the amped-up sibling — 8.9% ABV, significantly heavier coffee loading with Indonesian and Ethiopian beans, and a richer, more dessert-forward character.

Is Bittersweet Nitro good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its nitrogen-infused creaminess and complex coffee-chocolate layers make it ideal for slow, contemplative sipping from a tulip glass or wide-mouth pint. The hidden ABV means it rewards patience without any harsh alcohol burn.

Where is Bittersweet Nitro made? Bittersweet Nitro is brewed by Left Hand Brewing Company in Longmont, Colorado, a brewery founded in 1993 that became famous for pioneering the widget-free nitro can. All production takes place at their Longmont facility.

What foods pair well with Bittersweet Nitro? Dark chocolate truffles mirror the stout's cocoa and espresso notes; smoked brisket contrasts the sweetness with savory char; crème brûlée echoes the vanilla and caramelized sugar; blue cheese such as Roquefort matches the roasted bitterness with its own pungent intensity; and pecan pie complements the dried fruit and mocha flavors.

What sizes does Bittersweet Nitro come in? This product is sold as a 4-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format for Left Hand's Nitro series.

Is Bittersweet Nitro worth the price? Bittersweet Nitro positions as a premium craft imperial stout, and its 8.9% ABV, specialty coffee sourcing, and nitrogen-infused packaging justify a higher price point than standard milk stouts. With a BeerAdvocate score of 90, it delivers strong critical validation for the category tier it occupies.

Why Bittersweet Nitro?

What separates Bittersweet Nitro from the crowded field of coffee stouts is precision of sourcing — over 700 pounds of Allegro Coffee per batch, specifically blending Indonesian beans for earthy depth and Ethiopian beans for berry-toned brightness. That dual-origin approach creates a layered coffee character most single-origin coffee stouts simply cannot match. The nitrogen infusion, a technique Left Hand helped popularize in the American craft scene, transforms what could be a heavy, syrupy imperial stout into something genuinely silky. A BeerAdvocate score of 90 and nearly 16,000 Untappd ratings confirm this is not just a novelty — it is one of the more accomplished coffee imperial stouts available in cans today.