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

alleykatking

Indiana

2.45/5  rDev -34.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Had on tap at Fiddler's.

A- Poured a amberish brown color. This one had no real head to it and therefore showed a little leg but no lacing at all.

S- I thought the oak came out in this one pretty good. Actually it seems to overturn most other aromas. Light sugary bitter hops to this as well in the middle to backing. Caramel malts also show up in this but add to the sickley sweetness that kills the aroma for me. To be honest it reminds of me a Southern Tier beer in the aroma.

T- Caramel malts and light sugary floral hops stand out in the this beer in the front. Barrel notes come in next but instead of wood I get more of rotting wood with light earthy dirt. Not very good. This flavor comes through toward the ending where the sweet caramel malts come out once again. Light bitter hopping in the ending can't balance out the flavors overall. Sweet alcohol flavor in the ending kills off any non sweet balancing flavor.

M- Medium-heavy mouthfeel. Carbonation was low for the style. Sweetness from caramel malts along with dirty oak are left on the palate. Aftertaste is sweet alcohol, wiht caramel malts and hints of bitter hops. Flavors were underwhelming and not balanced at all with this beer being more sweet than anything else. No off flavors per say but the oak barrel was pretty bad tasting. Medium alcohol drying on the palate.

O- This was the worst of the Hatter's that I tried that night or well just in general. I would like to see this one done in a fresh clean barrel and see how it turns out. But please for the love of all things holy New Holland stay away from all the sweetness on this beer. It was like a mini Southern Tier beer just not as good.

Serving type: on-tap

07-01-2011 00:58:31 | More by alleykatking

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Missouri

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3.75/5  rDev +0.3%

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beerme626

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +7%

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Jas45678

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -6.4%

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North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev +0.3%

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3.75/5  rDev +0.3%

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Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +7%

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Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +13.6%

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mrebeka

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev +0.3%

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Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -6.4%

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New York

3.75/5  rDev +0.3%

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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

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Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -13.1%

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3.5/5  rDev -6.4%

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Illinois

3/5  rDev -19.8%

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Michigan

3.25/5  rDev -13.1%

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Michigan

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3.75/5  rDev +0.3%

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Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -6.4%

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3.5/5  rDev -6.4%

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4.5/5  rDev +20.3%

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