Although many written accounts suggest that the Milk Stout style originated in the Victorian workingman's lunchtime practice of mixing strong (Stout) Porter with milk, we can be certain that modern versions do not contain any milk at all. The first commercial version of Milk Stout (also called Sweet or Cream Stout) was marketed in 1910 by the Mackeson Brewery of Hythe, Kent, England. Although Mackeson patented the formulation for their new beer, so many patent challenges occurred, they ended up freely licensing their creation. Within a decade there were dozens of new Milk Stouts on the market.