I'm stoked that Left Hand Brewing Company has come back to us here in the UK from the mile-high land of Colorado. I discovered Left Hand years ago because, as a proud Southpaw, I couldn't not try a brewery so aptly named.

At the time I was only interested in very malt-forward beers as I hadn't yet grown to like the bitter aspect of beer. Imagine my pseudo-cool-girl-trying-to-impress-the-guys delight when a glistening Left Hand Milk Stout tap handle appeared and time stood still.

I remember my first impression like it was yesterday. Creamy. Chocolate. Coffee. The smoothest stout that I had ever had. I didn't know what a "milk stout" was. Figured it had something to do with the creaminess or was a gimmick or they had a special affinity for the cows on the label. Nevertheless, for a long time I declared that my favorite style of beer was a stout simply because of my memory of Left Hand's Milk Stout.

To this day I know Left Hand as one of those breweries

I'm stoked that Left Hand Brewing Company has come back to us here in the UK from the mile-high land of Colorado. I discovered Left Hand years ago because, as a proud Southpaw, I couldn't not try a brewery so aptly named.

At the time I was only interested in very malt-forward beers as I hadn't yet grown to like the bitter aspect of beer. Imagine my pseudo-cool-girl-trying-to-impress-the-guys delight when a glistening Left Hand Milk Stout tap handle appeared and time stood still.

I remember my first impression like it was yesterday. Creamy. Chocolate. Coffee. The smoothest stout that I had ever had. I didn't know what a "milk stout" was. Figured it had something to do with the creaminess or was a gimmick or they had a special affinity for the cows on the label. Nevertheless, for a long time I declared that my favorite style of beer was a stout simply because of my memory of Left Hand's Milk Stout.

To this day I know Left Hand as one of those breweries that--if you didn't recognize or fancy anything else and were looking for something you'd trust--would perpetually (perennially even?!) be a solid choice. But with their innovative Nitro-series, seasonals, and limited editions alongside the perennial range they prove that they're anything but an ol'-standby. These guys are great!

The Nitro series is really exciting. Left Hand, after years of trial-and-error, finally mastered the art of conditioning beer with nitrogen as opposed to carbon dioxide. And all this without the use of a widget (which are ubiquitous in the cans of a certain Dublin-based dark beer.) It had truly never been done before with success. The result is an exceptionally creamy beer with a beautiful head that looks like a milkshake. And you thought I was in love with the Milk Stout? Well, hel-lo Milk Stout Nitro. You gorgeous thing.

I know I yammered on and on about Left Hand's stouts, but I've got to give a shoutout to their Stranger Pale Ale too: aromas of orange alongside a fresh hoppiness that comes across as florals and cut grass are mirrored in a flavor that is bolstered by biscuity and toasted malts. It's the champion of nuance--it's lovely!

It goes without saying that I'm super excited that we at Beer Hawk--and only Beer Hawk--are now carrying a good chunk of Left Hand's Perennial Range. Our exclusive Left Hand mixed case is a great way to try all we've got but singles are available too. With this great American brewery back in the UK, I've been able to re-live "X" number of years ago. And I've been forcing people to give me left-handed high fives all week!

--Maggie

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