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

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

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

spycow

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -13.1%

04-28-2013 22:20:49 | More by spycow

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.5/5  rDev -6.4%

04-15-2013 05:49:59 | More by Kelp

smartassboiler

Illinois

3/5  rDev -19.8%

03-23-2013 14:22:51 | More by smartassboiler

Bronson125

Michigan

3.25/5  rDev -13.1%

03-04-2013 04:02:37 | More by Bronson125

coffygrinder

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -6.4%

03-03-2013 21:23:01 | More by coffygrinder

reitzbrewing

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +7%

03-02-2013 21:31:24 | More by reitzbrewing

Rons35

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev +0.3%

02-19-2013 22:53:27 | More by Rons35

Rion

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev +0.3%

02-18-2013 17:19:15 | More by Rion

Danielr26

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -6.4%

02-18-2013 17:16:03 | More by Danielr26

nheinzie57

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -6.4%

02-16-2013 03:34:35 | More by nheinzie57

schmityl

4.5/5  rDev +20.3%

01-14-2013 00:58:13 | More by schmityl

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

JmillX45

3.75/5  rDev +0.3%

01-04-2013 00:55:39 | More by JmillX45

hollywood_15063

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +7%

12-24-2012 00:40:45 | More by hollywood_15063

IPAchris

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +0.3%

12-23-2012 23:58:30 | More by IPAchris

dabeers

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +0.3%

12-15-2012 07:39:34 | More by dabeers

JimmyFlatRock

Ohio

4/5  rDev +7%

12-04-2012 00:08:15 | More by JimmyFlatRock

sendbeer

Georgia

3.75/5  rDev +0.3%

12-03-2012 20:42:38 | More by sendbeer

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

ajkiser12

Illinois

4/5  rDev +7%

11-27-2012 20:11:18 | More by ajkiser12

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

TerryB

Indiana

4/5  rDev +7%

11-20-2012 18:50:53 | More by TerryB