So, the last time I had a beer from the Mantra Artisan Ales company of Franklin, Tennessee was back in early 2016. That’s almost two years ago as I type. Mantra had only been open about a year, then, and their very interesting Brett Project L, a beer brewed with Bleu Cheese, really got my attention. December of 2017 found me in Spring Hill, Tennessee for Christmas, and Mantra beers are back on my radar.

Mantra is now bottling, and I picked up a 6-pack of their Japa Milk Chai Stout at Wild Hare Beer Company in Spring Hill. I’ll say this, the marketing here is excellent, as bottled Mantra beers are sold in boxes rather than the standard 6-pack carrier. The elegant artwork immediately caught my attention, but the words “Milk Chai Stout” cemented my resolve to try the beer.

I’ve only ever had two beers before seasoned with chai spices. The first was anther stout, Red Brick Sacred Cow Chai Tea Milk Stout, later renamed Red Brick Divine Bovine Chai Tea Milk Stout. The second was Samuel Adams Chai Saison, which I liked, though not as much as the Red Brick beer. The chai spices seemed to pop more against the dark stout, smooth and creamy as it is in the milk stout style.

On the label, Mantra says:

A smooth, rich milk stout brewed with a custom blend of chai spices and the perfect complement of dark, roasted malts. Drink this beer fresh.

Wikipedia defines japa as follows:

Japa is the meditative repetition of a mantra or a divine name. It is a practice found in Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism.

There are some interesting quotes on the six-pack box:

There is a moment when one fully commits to an intention. That the entire universe collaborates to fulfill it. In that moment sweet, blissful impulses are balanced by deep-rooted mindfulness. Japa is a dark, rich stout transcending the before and after, embracing the now, and compelling you to remain present.

And:

Craft is a combination of art and science. The science has been learned. The art on the other hand, comes from inside each of us.

Ingredients from the website:

Malts: 2-Row, Brown, Chocolate, Roasted Barley, Oats

Hops: Northern Brewer, Fuggles

Mantra Japa Milk Chai Stout has an alcohol content of 6% by volume listed on the website, but my bottles say 7.8% by volume. I will assume the latter is correct. They also reference 20 IBUs on the website. The price was high at $12.29 for six-bottles.

Mantra Japa Milk Chai Stout pours to a jet-black color with a moderate to light tan head of creamy froth forming on a vigorous pour and a rich spicy nose of clove and cinnamon. Taking a sip, the beer is full and rich in body with a wonderful creaminess that simply slides over the tongue, depositing hints of chocolate and subtle soft roastiness and of course, lots of spice. Robust clove and cinnamon, pungent ginger, savory coriander and cardamom. They all intertwine and dry the beer in the finish, and the beer is smooth regardless that you can’t help but take another sip. There’s even a hint of licorice.

Mantra Japa Milk Chai Stout is a pleasure to sip and enjoy, and it’s the best beer I’ve come across yet to be brewed with chai spice. I would normally knock off a bit for price, but this beer is so good I won’t. It’s worth seeking out, to be sure.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

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