Oak Aged Mad Hatter India Pale Ale - New Holland Brewing Company

YoDude

Illinois

4.21/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: Deep amber and poured with a one inch thick head. Head slowly recedes to a ring while ample lacing is retained from the initial pour line.

Smell: The nose hits you a foot from the glass; floral hops and vanilla with a hint alcohol get the mouth watering.

Taste: Vanilla and toasted oak lead to a sweet caramel and bitter finish.

Mouth feel: It has a full body and good carbonation, with a nice finish of alcohol warmth and lingering resin bitters.

Overall: Of the Mad Hatter variations, this is my favorite. The Kentucky oak barrel aging really adds another level of flavors to this solid American-style India Pale Ale. Drink it fresh. No need to age any further as New Holland has done it for you. I will always pick up a bottle when in stock at my local beverage retailer.

Serving type: 22 oz. bottle poured into a tulip glass

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 04:20:42 | More by YoDude

SerialHiker

Illinois

3.34/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Appearance: Awesome orange hue, a classic fall color…nice pour makes finger width head, but that fades quick…some bubbles…(3/5)

Smell: Can really smell the oak age, almost has a bourbon smell…the caramel stands out, but certainly not a pungent beer…(2.75/5)

Taste: Awesome initial taste in the mouth…the oak aged flavor is radiant but not overpowering…the hops are soft but noticeable…for me, it’s kinda like a fluffy cloud passing over my tongue…definitely some caramel and pine after tones…very drinkable…(3.75/5)

Mouthfeel: Medium body with little carbonation…not real noticeable in the mouth, I mean, other than the tremendous flavor…(3/5)

Overall: I like this beer…it has the bourbon stout, oak aged flavor, but it’s got hoppy undertones and drinkability that I love…I don’t know if I could drink a bunch of these, but one of these tall boys will do me just fine…I would recommend it to anyone who likes bourbon, oak aged brews…(3.25/5)

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 02:22:52 | More by SerialHiker

kylehay2004

Florida

3.55/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: thin head on a hazy golden amber body.

S: very simple and somewhat mild aroma mostly of oak and caramel malt with little of the hop aroma coming from the base IPA.

T: sort of bland really with oak, some earthy and herbal hops. The base IPA is really lost in this one. this one gets a little watery in the finish.

M: medium body and light to moderate carbonation.

Overall: hops are mild. the flavors are good and drinkable but a little watery and simple especially for any kind of barrel aged beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 03:48:43 | More by kylehay2004

nickfl

Florida

3.75/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours with a nice head of off whites foam on top of a lightly hazy, copper color body. The foam settles at a fairly quick pace and leaves decent lace on the glass.

S - Dark toffee and spicy toasted oak with some pine hop character in the background.

T - Caramel malt up front wit some lightly fruity hops. Notes of red apple and toffee in the middle. The beer finishes with sweet malt spicy and floral hop notes and lingering red apple yeast notes.

M - Medium body, moderate carbonation, and a somewhat sweet finish.

D - Not bad, it is not particularly hoppy and almost comes across as more of an English strong ale than an IPA. The impact of the oak aging is apparent, but subdued, comeing out more in the aroma than the flavor profile. Not bad overall, but not exactly my cup of tea...

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 03:47:56 | More by nickfl

Fanhitter

4.23/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Vintage 2011 Labeled Imperial Pint bottle; poured into glass.

Poured out, the beer has a mild, quick bubbling before settling down with a smoky orange-brown hue. A minimal amount of head dissipates rather quickly, leaving a thin froth atop the glass.

The smell of sweet ripe apple is strong, also a very woody, sour apricot note can be detected as well. The hop aroma lingers well behind the earthy, fruity nose.

A nice sweet maltiness is complimented by mild spiced vanilla flavors. Maple, a toasty caramel hint and even a faint piney flavor creep in to the palate as well. A faint sour peach flavor settles in after consuming half the bottle.

Mouthfeel is smooth and a bit oily. Similar to Guinness in a big draw, but a bit more active due to the bubbles. Very enjoyable; makes a 22 go down like a 12 oz.

Overall, this is an enjoyable beer that is big in subtle flavors. Nothing is offensively overdone with this beer. The balance is exceptional, and well executed. I look forward to trying other HATTERS in the series as well.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 02:57:03 | More by Fanhitter

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.4/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

A: A coppery pour has a bready textured, an ivory colored head atop that stood a finger high. A good rate of misty effervesce fills the inner vessel with a rapid rate of rise. Head retention is solid, lacing sticks well enough and the covering stays a bit as well.

S: Sweet boozy grains on the nose, oak chips, fresh pine juice, & sweet caramel. The oaky character is quite sweet and pleasant.

T: The flavor holds some toasted oak wood of good strength, toasty caramel and pine. Some scothcy alcohol, smoked toffee sweetness and woodsy pine stand out. Finishes with a subtle toasted oak warmth.

M: light-medium, nothing to write home about, medium bodied, easy resistance with a low rate of carbonation. pretty lackluster.

O: Overall some nice oak character, hops show a bit along with some toasted grains. Oaky alcohol warmth rounds things out, decent, but hardly one i would seek out again.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 22:59:19 | More by beerthulhu

tigg924

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass

Appearance: 1/4 inch head that goes quick, high carbonation, orange-brown in color, clear

Smell: light oak, bread, and citrus hops

Taste: citrusy hop start followed by a bunch of breadiness and light oaking

Mouthfeel: sweet start with a bitter body and less bitter finish, dry end, medium-high carbonation, medium-light bodied

Overall: An ok ipa base beer that the oaking adds to but in nowhere near overpowering. The flavors here are more delicate. I would get this again, but there are others I would go to first.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2012 13:33:43 | More by tigg924

rfbenavi80

Missouri

4.1/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle poured into a tulip. There is a date code on the bottle of E082. Don't know what it means.

A- Pours a clear deep orange maybe amber color with 1 finger width of white head that didn't linger very long.

S- Lots of citrusy hops up front. Caramel malts in the back. Fresh cut oak comes out as it warms. Not exactly an overwhelming aroma. Smells good though.

T- Wow. The dings this one gets for lack of smell it makes up in taste. The oak flavor is up front. Very unique. There is the typical qualities of an IPA, the pine, the citrus, the bitterness. But then there is the oak. It adds a dimension of flavor that makes this beer worth trying. Is that vanilla from the oak? Wow.

M- Solid medium body makes this one go down pretty easy. Moderate amount of carbonation adds a refreshing quality.

O- I'm pleasantly surprised. The oak comes out really well with this one. A very unique IPA that I would buy again.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 08:56:45 | More by rfbenavi80

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

3.55/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Nice clear dark amber color, but not much carbonation or head. Nose has some fresh citrus notes of lemon and grapefruit. I don't detect the oak aging on the nose at all.

There's a fruity kind of sweetness on the front of the palate. At mid-palate, the fruitiness takes on bitter flavors that balance pretty nicely against the sweet. Orange, apricot, and pineapple flavors seem to be the most noticeable. The bitterness fades a bit on the finish and leaves little in the way of lingering resiny hop flavors. The impact of the oak aging seems to be very subtle (almost too subtle). I get just a hint of that sweet, woody flavor in the back of the mouth when swallowing and it lingers a bit on the finish. As the beer warms, the hops recede a bit and the oak flavors become more prevalent. The mouthfeel is slick and oily and the body is right about where it needs to be - neither too thin nor to full.

Overall, I thought this was a solid brew. It's not anything to get excited about, but it's not a disappointment either. It's certainly a decent buy at $5 for a 22oz bottle.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 23:44:14 | More by deadonhisfeet

FosterJM

California

3.58/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

1431st Review on BA
Bottle to small tulip
22oz

Vintage 2012
Purchased from Binny's Naperville, IL, $4.99

App- Has a ton of coloring behind it. Looks a little like a varnish with some more golds, oranges and ambers. First pour had a fizzed out head, second pour was a good 1/2-3/4" off white with good cling.

Smell- Right off the bat this is very boozy. Also follows through with a large amount of oaky dry hopped goodness. Works seemingly well at warmer temps but when cold, too bitter and stinging.

Taste- It's an okay beer with some decent pockets of flavors but the treatment makes it a little unbalanced. The base hops are a bit strong with a large bitter element, and then add to that a stinging, oak, pine flavor. Kinda off.

Mouth- A fuller medium body with a prickly low- medium carbonation. The residual flavors are the dry hopped with bits of pine and oak.

Drink- Tasty at warmer temps. See how the other two compare to this one I started off with.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 03:52:12 | More by FosterJM

bradleyp

Illinois

3.08/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a bomber into a Homer Simpson pint glass.

A: Light brown with a large orange hue to it. light bubbles coming through. Head didn't last very long. Not a lot of lacing at all.

S: I can smell some woodiness to it. You can tell it's more a a light woody flavor to it.

T: Hard to say, but I can def. get some of the oaky flavors coming through it. No hop profile to speak of. It is an IPA, and there is some bitterness, but not a lot of hop taste.

M: Light, crisp, goes down pretty well.

O: Pretty average for an Oaked aged IPA. I do prefer some of the other Hatters, like the Black IPA more. So overall this was not one of the better ones of the Hatter series.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2012 04:24:21 | More by bradleyp

n2185

North Carolina

3/5  rDev -19.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Pours a clear orange with a finger of beige head that fades into a thin layer with no lacing.

S: Citrusy hops on the nose with orange and grapefruit mostly. That's about it.

T: Grapefruit and resiny bitterness on the palate as well with slight oaky notes.

M: Medium body with lowish carbonation, this beer is slightly watery.

O: Not a bad beer overall, but it was just . . . boring. I expected some complexity from the oak, but it's just a bland IPA. The very definition of mediocre.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 06:28:48 | More by n2185

barczar

Kentucky

3.85/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear caramel copper color with a fleeting half inch ivory head that dissipates with large bubbles, leaving spotty lacing.

Resin and tropical fruit start the aroma, with an underlying touch of oak complementing the slightly sweet caramel malt backbone. Earthy hops round out the profile.

Huge sweet caramel malt backbone is dominant throughout the flavor, with muted citrus fruit in the background leading into a slightly perfumy hop finish. Bruised apple, grapefruit pith, and pear add depth, and the oak tones are fairly subtle, but more evident in the slightly bitter finish.

Body is on the heavy side, with fairly low carbonation. Alcohol warmth is significant.

Overall, a bit too sweet and malt dominant for an ipa. Not enough hop character or bitterness at the finish. Alcohol is a touch offputting.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 06:47:57 | More by barczar

beagle75

Iowa

3.58/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bomber into a tulip glass.

A: Hazy, light amber color with a membranous surface residue of white bubbles that gather at the edges. Scant lacing remains on the glass.

S: Hops win over oak in the smell with fresh pine resin outdistancing freshly milled lumber and a suggestion of volatile spirit. Although intense, hop qualities are obviously one-dimensional. A fine thread of enjoined caramel and bread is detected, but otherwise it is very clean.

T: Begins dry, with toasted pale malt and honest green oak. Hop aromatics are predictably thin, showing muted pine and floral qualities. Acidity is moderate into the middle, where more oak--now in the form of vanilla--and lesser peppery spice are present. The finish is very clean with mild bitterness.

M: Thin viscosity, wet and slightly resinous on the palate but little acidity is felt, with moderate carbonation.

D/O: This IPA wins for one reason: it successfully cultivates the intended oak qualities as promised. Otherwise, it reveals the mediocrity of the base beer all too clearly. The one other compliment it deserves is that it is remarkably clean overall; nothing--not even hops--are in danger of stepping in front of the featured oak.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2012 02:08:44 | More by beagle75

chanokokoro

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 22 oz. bottle into a Bavarian Lodge branded imperial pint glass (amazing tap list, amazing food)

Pours dark gold with orangish-amber hues with a one and half finger bright white head. The aroma of oak and pine with a bit of citrus rises from the glass. Opens with the strong taste of oak and piney citrus rind, slight touch of sweet malt midpalate and closes with a return to oak and citrus rind with a touch of spruce. A solid brew. Nothing that sets it apart from other oak-aged IPA's, but delivers if you're a fan of the style.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2012 02:27:53 | More by chanokokoro

emerge077

Illinois

3.45/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Draft serving in a small 8-10 oz. New Holland glass for Hatter Days.

Dark orangey copper body, compact head of light tan foam. Some rising trails of visible carbonation. A halo of drippy lace forms on the opposite side of the glass. Retention is ok, though the foam eventually breaks apart.

Without knowing the base beer is an IPA, it seemed more like an oaked amber ale, there was little in the aroma to indicate hops, it was malt-forward with a touch of oak. Flavors were similarly malty with a light oak dryness in the background. Hint of light wood, vague citrus peel, and vanilla, but pretty understated. Light bodied with medium carbonation. Overall ok, probably wouldn't order it again. A pretty mild beer, and not much of an IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

07-02-2012 01:21:14 | More by emerge077

Etan

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle into a tulip.

A: Pours a nice amber with a decent off-white head. Nice lacing.

S: Mild piney hop, caramel malt, mellow spiciness (from the oak?).

T: Pine, slight citrus, bitter leaf, caramel malt, light oak.

M: Medium-bodied, light carbonation.

O: Oak-aging doesn't seem to be doing much here, and the beer seems sort of weak. Fine enough but boring.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2012 17:20:15 | More by Etan

srv33

Michigan

3.85/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clear dark golden pour, good lacing. Very oaky smell, besides oak, hops present. Taste much the same, dry oak and dry hops. Fine lacing. Solid, unique IPA.

One thing I really enjoyed about this was how unique the oak flavor was, if this is something you find interesting in a beer, I'd certainly recommend this.

Serving type: on-tap

06-30-2012 00:13:42 | More by srv33

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.08/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

My labels says 7.12% abv

Pours honey colored with 2 fingers of pearl
colored head. Decent head retention & lacing

S: Lemons & pine, butterscotch & sourness.

T: Piney & oakyness up front, dryness & some sourwood honey up front. Puckery sourwood as this warms, along with a bit pineapple hiding on the edges, then grapefruit

MF: Medium bodied, slight carbonation, great balance

I really liked this one, a lot of hops coming through, nice oakyness too

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2012 03:02:39 | More by russpowell

JohnnyHopps

Indiana

3.23/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This is the first bottle in the Mad Hatter series that did not erupt over my bar for no particular reason. That said, Kudos to the good people at New Holland.

Oak Aged hatter was a measured orange color with an appropriate white head. It gave a malty aroma that spoke more for the oak aging that the IPA. The initial taste was woody malty flavor. There was some vanilla that comes with the oak aging, but it was fairly nondescript. The citrus notes or any hop action was virtually not present. This may as well have been an oak aged pilsner. The oak aging lends itself to a smooth mouthfeel which is the highlight of this beer. It is a drinkable beer, but not what the label implies.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2012 20:16:28 | More by JohnnyHopps

JackieTH

Minnesota

3.83/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Orange-amber with a thinnish head, fits of lacing. Citric and resin hop nose, mild malt. Taste is decently hopped, citrus pith forward, some resin. Good amount of bitterness. Refreshing. Medium to light mouthfeel. Moderate carbonation. Overall this is a fairly classic IPA, I'm not getting much of the oak aging, but that's okay,it's a tasty beer even if it's not pushing any limits or boundaries.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2012 04:37:59 | More by JackieTH

Humulus85

Minnesota

3.98/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

My third of the modified Hatter series. So far, so good. From the foiled 22oz bottle into my Darkness snifter for effect.

Pours a very pretty, slightly hazed, copper. A stiff pour produced an off-white, one-finger head. Decent retention, and a small amount of lacing.

Citrus hops, some nice barrel, and sweet malt. Nothing complex, pretty straightforward, but nonetheless tasty.

The barrel comes through the front with deep musty wood notes, that quickly blends with strong citrus hops. A touch of caramel malt. Rounded out by a moderate bitterness. Bit of a barrel char aftertaste.

Medium in body, the wood aging adds a bit of weight, solid carbonation helps balance. Coats the mouth well, finishes nice and dry.

Overall this is a tasty, and well made, variation of the standard American IPA. The Kentucky barrels definitely lend their character, but it is by no means overpowering. Almost like taking a good IPA and throwing in a dash of Jim Beam. Nothing Earth shattering here, but definitely worth trying, especially for the modest price (under $6). Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2012 20:27:04 | More by Humulus85

hardy008

Minnesota

3.58/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Light hazy amber with a two finger off white head, with good retention and lacing. The aroma has strong grapefruit, and grapefruit zest, with oak in the background.

The taste has grapefruit, caramel, oak, and pine. There is a decent balance of sweetness and bitterness. The oak kind of muddles the taste for me though, and I'm not sure it works here. It almost makes everything else a little to subtle.

Medium bodied with average carbonation, and smooth. I am glad I gave this beer a try. It is worth trying at least once.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2012 02:56:37 | More by hardy008

zeff80

Missouri

3.78/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Broadway Brewery, Columbia, MO

A - Poured a somewhat cloudy orange/amber color with a small, off-white head of foam. It left some sudsy trails of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of pine, vanilla and some caramel. Just a faint hint of oak or wood.

T - It tasted of sweet caramel and toffee with vanilla notes. The piney hop bitterness is very mellow and smooth.

M - It was sharp and smooth. A medium bodied ale with a dry finish.

O - This was interesting. I don't know if I sold on oak aging an IPA, but it was still pretty tasty.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2012 02:38:33 | More by zeff80

Florida9

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Slightly hazy orange amber in color. Forms a thin, but fairly stable khaki colored head. Some moderate lacing.

S: Aroma is primarily of oak and wood, with some caramel malts and a hoppy mix of pine and grapefruit.

T: Starts off unmistakably woody before the caramel malt sweetness hits. Oak, toffee, caramel, and the slightest hint of vanilla with some earthy, piney hops. Finishes with a strongly wood-flavored tannic bitterness.

M: Medium in body. Appropriate carbonation. Moderate bitterness. Tannic dryness.

O: A decent beer that might have been a bit better if it were fresher, though I do feel it has held up relatively well (certainly better than the Rye version). Still rather woody with a very strong oak profile.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 02:39:00 | More by Florida9