In 2011, Wim Bens, a ’00 graduate of SMU and the American Craft Brewer’s Guild brewing science and engineering course, turned his garage hobby into a thriving brewery and eatery know as Lakewood Brewing Company located in Garland, TX.
LBC, which Lakewood it is often referred to (no relationship to Snoop Dogg’s LBC), sold their first keg in 2012 and is now recognized as one of the most prominent craft breweries in Texas.
Before brewing, Wim was an Associate Creative Director at the advertising firm TracyLocke. His exposure to the marketing industry was a catalyst for his involvement in Lakewood’s marketing strategy, branding, and label creations.
Lakewood is well know and respected for their Temptress lines which include Imperial Milk Stout, Nitro Milk Stout, Irish Cream, Blonde, Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pecan Pie, Pony Pils, and Goddess Hazy IPA, just to name a few.
And awards, you ask.
Lakewood has won at least one, if not a number of awards, each year beginning in 2013 through 2024. I only assume that no awards for 2025 were posted because this section of their website has not yet been updated.
Many of you who follow Hopinionated checked out our post on Temptress Pecan Pie which was released in November of 2025 and was included in our “Inner Circle of Our Fridge” page featuring beer that we believe belongs in your fridge.
Don’t be surprised if LBC’s Dubai Chocolate Imperial Milk Stout joins this prestigious group and the second Lakewood brew to make that list.
When searching for the “Top 10 Craft Beers in Texas, there is only one reference to Lakewood. The predominant search return included breweries such as Jester King, Lone Pint, Altstadt, Pinthouse, Bird Creek, and Lakewood Brewing Company.
If you were to change the search query to “Top 10 Stout breweries in Texas”, Lakewood is in Position #1, according to Beer Advocate.
Lakewood Brewing Company’s Dubai Imperial Milk Stout
So let’s dive in to Lakewood’s Dubai Chocolate Imperial Milk Stout review.
We cracked open three of the four cans of the Duabi Chocolate Imperial Milk Stout included in the four-pack and the following is our conclusion based upon three tasters. Each of us came to similar conclusion as follows:
- Style: Imperial Milk Stout
- ABV: 9.1%
- IBU: 56
- Appearance: Dark brown to black, opaque, often served with a thick, creamy head.
- Flavor Profile: Chocolate, sweet, syrupy, with a creamy, roasted, and slightly bitter finish. The inclusion of the combination of lactose and oats are the source of a creamy mouth feel filled with chopped filo pastry and a pistachio-tahini flavor.
- Aroma: Deep cocoa, cherries, toasted pistachio, and sweet, creamy notes.
- Hops: Based on the original Temptress series recipe.
- Mouthfeel: Maintains a signature silkiness that provides a smooth, easy-drinking experience. Despite its high 9.1% ABV, the beer maintains a signature silkiness that provides a smooth, easy-drinking experience.
- Awards: 70+ Awards from 2013 to 2024
- Overall Impression: We enjoyed the complexity of this Imperial Milk Stout to include Dubai Chocolate (I couldn’t tell you the difference between Hershey’s and Dubai), and primarily, the flavorful combo of chocolate, lactose, and pistachio additions.
Hopinionated Rating 4.5/5
Sip or Skip – Sip
Community Reviews and Comments
- Chris Gard: one of my favorite TX breweries. Simple yet creative and consistent end-product.
- Steph Matthews: Yes! I loved this beer! It’s kinda light body for a Temptress.
- Love Beer Will Travel: I’m not a fan of foo foo brews but this Dubai Chocolate Imperial Stout from Lakewood Brewery, TX is a must try (even if you can only handle maybe two of them).
- Craig Schofer: Amazing aroma, but way too sweet. Tastes artificial.
- Ben White: Pistachio, similar to cherry. Abundance of flavor.
- Chic: A new baller Temptress had entered the chat. It’s not too sweet & it’s nutty af.
Explore Similar Beers to Lakewood’s Dubai Chocolate Imperial Milk Stout
- Untitled Dubai Chocolate Bar Stout: A rich, dark brew inspired by the viral Dubai chocolate bar.
- Sunriver Cocoa Cow: A milk stout packed with cocoa nibs for a chocolate milk effect.
- Four Father’s Brewing Samoa Delight: A milk stout with caramel and toasted coconut.
- Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro: The standard for creamy milk stouts with chocolate-coffee notes.
- Stone Xocoveza: An Imperial Milk Stout with chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pepper.
- Southern Prohibition BBA Spoils of War: A barrel-aged stout featuring vanilla, cocoa nibs, and marshmallow.
- North Coast Old Rasputin: A classic, high-ABV Imperial Stout with bitter chocolate notes.
This is the quintessential chocolate stout from Temptress, a brewery renowned for its mastery of the style. Their penchant for bold experimentation and unique blending has cemented their reputation as one of the most recognized stout producers in Texas.
Have you tried Lakewood’s Dubai Chocolate Imperial Milk Stout? If so, let us know what you think about it and we’ll include your comment in our Community Reviews and Comments section.
Send us an email at justabeerblogger@gmail.com.
Cheers!
Leave a Reply