This week, I am bringing a review of Blackwater Draw Brewing Company’s Saint Nipplaus peppermint milk stout and listen… If you don’t think you have a reason to go to College Station, I am hopefully about to convince you that you actually do have a damn good reason. Three years ago, my wonderful wife graduated from Texas A&M and of course, we went out to Northgate. She allowed me to be a little selfish and we went to Blackwater Draw’s little brewhouse where they had this beer on tap.
Ever since then, Saint Nipplaus has been stuck in my mind as one of my favorite beers of all time. I called them that next year begging to know when it would be out again, but they said they weren’t sure if they were going to make it again. Blackwater is big on doing one-offs and do one every Saturday (in all fairness, they are on hiatus from that while they get their new brewing facility in order). I was afraid that I would never get this beer again, but thankfully, it got the canning treatment this year. The bad news? It’s only going to be released in Bryan and College Station, but it’s so worth the drive to nab some of their four packs and visit the facility.
I will even say that I got so excited to drink Saint Nipplaus that I almost forgot to leave one to help me write up this review. Saint Nipplaus pours dark black with almost no head. The nose is heavy on fresh peppermint and chocolate; it’s like unwrapping a Klondike bar. The medium body has a larger mouthfeel, which is satisfying to me for a milk stout. When it comes to the flavor, Saint Nipplaus is just like the nose: peppermint dominating the whole way through and a hint of sweet chocolate swirling around as well. This is definitely a dessert beer. After each sip, I can swear that my mouth has that cooling feel like when you eat a peppermint candy.
The packaging for Saint Nipplaus has Santa in suspenders with his nips blazing (just kidding, you don’t actually see any nip) and a beer in hand. Just imagine what Santa would probably wear if he vacationed in Texas and sent a postcard back to the elves. Everything about this can, from the font to the coloring and drawing, makes me think of a Christmas postcard. Your typical Christmas colors of green and red dominate the rest of the can. It’s perfect for this brew.
This is my first 5 star review and I don’t just hand those out willy nilly or because I have a kind heart. This beer is not overly filling, it tastes like Christmas, and it’s worth the drive to Aggieland. Do yourself a favor and put this on your Christmas list. Look for this beer at either the Bryan or College Station locations of Blackwater Draw and in grocery and liquor stores next week!
So if you happen to have already been paid a visit by Saint Nipplaus, or you are going to get it, let us know what you think! And just like Blackwater says on the can… “By golly, be jolly!”
Nick is originally from the Corpus Christi area, but found himself in Houston as of 4 years ago. You can spot him wearing a Hooks hat and drinking a glass of craft beer around the city. He typically prefers his beers to mirror his taste in music: complex, heavy, and dark.
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