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

Connormick

Michigan

3.24/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

New Holland brewing company is my hometown brewing company. So of course I'm always excited to give one of their beers a try.

It pored out fine from a bottle to a clean pint glass. It had a fine head, and a fine color, and a fine consistency. It was, well, fine.

as with the appearance, the smell was also average. It smelled like most IPAs do, not really that much to say about it. Clearish amber color with a white head.

The smell was a bit floral, but besides that, nothing to write home about.

The taste was pretty good. It was a nice mellow hoppy beer, not too overpowering, with a nice floral backround taste.

The mouthfeel of this IPA was the only thing that really stood out, and not necessarily in a universally good way. It's smooth, maybe even a little slick. It's a good beer to drink a lot of. But it isn't as refine as a great beer should in this category, yet it is pleasant to drink.

Overall, this is a fantastic drink to bring to a group gathering. Not a lot of people will have any protest to this beer, it goes down smooth and you can drink a lot of it. But as far as quality beer goes, it's a resounding "meh."

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 03:52:27 | More by Connormick

TheBrewo

Michigan

3.93/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

This brew was served on tap at Lockhart’s BBQ in Royal Oak, Michigan. It arrived in a generic pint glass, glowing a golden orange-brown coloring. It held a half finger tall head of creamy white bubbles, showing okay retention. Spots of lacing were left around the glass as it dissipated into a persistent crowning ring about the top of the liquid. No haze or sediment was noted, and carbonation appeared to be moderate. The aroma gave standard pale malts, sticky sweet honey, basement muskiness, nectary tangerine flesh, sweet grapefruity hops, light florals, and vinegar acidity. Our first impression was that the flavoring showed a nice balance between the malts and the hops, with nice freshness afforded by big citric hops, and with apricot through the finish. As we sipped, the taste opened with sweet orange freshness, those same standard pale malts, light caramel smack, and freshly floral hops to balance. Pulling to the peak are notes of puckered citric hops, grainy lemon ring, continued tangerine sugars, green grass bitterness, and that vinegar bite from the nose. Washing through the finish is more soured lemon rind, mustiness, cucumber water freshness, and medicinal phenolic spice. The aftertaste breathed of musk, citric hops, grapefruity, pale malt rumbles, light toast, mineral, muddy raw barley, tangerine flesh, and dried lemongrass. The body was light to medium, and the carbonation was medium. Each sip gave good slurp, nice pop, and okay smack. Cream and froth were soft, briefly coating the mouth. This dripped away, giving mild astringent dryness and general cleanliness. The abv was appropriate, and the beer drank quite nicely.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this beer was the nice balance of dirty, musky maltiness with such fresh and floral hoppiness through the taste. This gave an interesting, well balanced concept, with nice drying finish to wrap things up into a neat little package. The nose was nicely sweet and sticky, but unfortunately the hops fell to the background, getting lost without their inherent bitterness. The taste, at times, showed the same issue. Things just remained a bit light, but in the end this in turn helped to keep things so fresh and ultimately drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

05-04-2013 19:25:18 | More by TheBrewo

Thaddeus

Michigan

4.09/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: Clear amber ale, with an average head of white foam.

Aroma & Taste: Floral and herbaceous hop notes. Tastes different when poured into a cup then from a bottle. More molasses and soy sauce notes. Bitter and dry with a medium finish. Overall a great beer if you like hops.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 16:32:47 | More by Thaddeus

MichaelNickerson

Michigan

3.33/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Appearance - bright, clear golden yellow with white head about one finger

Smell - Extremely floral, fruity, and some spice notes at the end

Taste - Very distinct taste. Extreme flavors dominate, which I don't like too much in a beer. There is an intense amount of fruitiness that ends with a short bitterness that dissipates quickly

Mouthfeel - dry, low carbonation

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 15:40:00 | More by MichaelNickerson

Kendo

New York

3.95/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured from the bottle into a Sam Smith's nonic-style pint glass. Body is coppery/orangey-amber with a small ivory head. Leaves some splotches of lace.

S: Not terribly strong in the nose; florally hops with a touch of caramel malt underneath.

T: Some underlying biscuity, caramel malt is followed up by the hops - think grapefruit and pine. Finishes quite dry, with a lingering almost lemony bitterness that creates a nice drying sensation mid-palate.

M: Call it medium-bodied; carbonation is active but not sharp.

O: By modern standards, this is almost APA rather than IPA territory, but it's real solid. Good hops over a nice malt foundation.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 01:25:14 | More by Kendo

KYGunner

Kentucky

3.76/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Golden/orange/amber color with a distinct radiance the head was bright white but wouldn't build.

Sweet floral hop aromas mix with a weaker malt body.

The taste has strong malt and barley characters. Hints of pine and burnt grass come towards the end. Perfumery and flowery tones hit the tongue at the aftertaste which are different but not necessarily bad.

Overall an interesting and pleasant IPA with good bones. A DIPA version could be quite stellar.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 21:25:16 | More by KYGunner

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

LOOK: Pours a light copper color with a chill haze. Soapy white froth leaves some lace on the glass. Retention is OK.

SMELL: Resinous hops, muted citrus, pale malt sweetness, and caramel.

TASTE: Piney, resinous hops upfront with some grapefruit and stale pineapple. Bitterness is mild with a touch of warming alcohol. Smooth malt and citrusy hop.

FEEL: Medium bodied and well carbonated.

OVERALL: Just above average. Pretty decent little American IPA.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 00:30:40 | More by Stinkypuss

MCain04

Illinois

3.96/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured into a pilsner glass at a restaurant

a: opaque and orange, white head with moderate retention and lacing.

s: floral, pine, nice but nothing special

t: medium hops, pleasing bitterness, good balance, malt mackbone, solid.

m: a little high on carbonation and a tad thin. a little dry.

o: not a bad offering, happy to drink this, wouldn't buy it over other offerings though, doesn't separate much from the pack.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 00:10:23 | More by MCain04

patre_tim

China

4.5/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Amber, slight cloudiness, moderate carbonation 2 finger creamy white head. Nice jagged but thin lacing.

S: Spicy hops, malt and candy, red pepper, pine, a little tropical fruit like pineapple. Expecting a double ipa from the scent.

T: All of the above minus the candy and sweetness I was initially expecting. There is a slight sweet, but it is so sublte it almost goes unnoticed.

M: Medium body, somewhat resinous, medium high carbonation.

O: I like it better than I was expecting, as it has an almost savoury, woodsy kind of taste that would pair well with venison, bbq meats, etc. Exceeded my expectations. Perhaps my new favourite American IPA. It shows off the hops well without overdoing them as some do, and leaves your palate with a clean finnish.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 03:22:47 | More by patre_tim

tjsdomer2

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: Amber orange in hue. Great foam and lacing. I drink this at the same time as Yellow Snow. Comparing it to that beer, it's very similar, just a bit darker. Equally as pretty.

Smell: Good balance with the smell. Cider or grape scent with a lemon and pine hop background. It could use a bit more assertiveness.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Nice fruity overtones to this, mostly apple and grape. Hops consist mostly of citrus flavors. Mouthfeel is a bit dull, not flat, just a a bit to light-bodied for my liking.

Overall Drinkability: Good balance for an IPA. I would define this as a good gateway IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2013 18:57:28 | More by tjsdomer2

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.75/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

yeasty and bitter, like a mikkeller warmup or something, i liked this ipa. pours cloudy and dull golden color, with an inch or two of lazy white head. the nose is funky yeast and bitter hops, high alpha varieties providing some solid pucker, and a relatively light malt profile. yeast and hops are an underappreciated fusion, and this beer joins them well. the summery style yeast meets dead of winter feeling hops, cold and dry and memorably bitter. finish is long and oily from the hops. good carbonation and a medium to full body for an ipa. i would have expected more alcohol from the nose and taste of this, maybe in the 7% range, and i was surprised to learn its as low as it is, because it does seem to lack a little punch. in any event, this is a fine ipa, in need of some gentle refinement, but its a standout in the too often generic ipa world.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2013 21:16:41 | More by StonedTrippin

ubenumber2

Arkansas

3.9/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle in to one of the fancy pint glasses

Nice redish orange color , 1 finger head that lingered with spotty lacing that sticks to the glass through out the beer

Not a hoppy smell to me , almost a candy type smell , not to sweet but enough to make you want a drink of it , the small hop aroma comes in at the end

Nice mouth full with great carbonation

The taste is bitter , the hops nor the malt really comes straight through to me , it reminds me of a home brew I made using belgium candy sugar, I mean Im sure its not in this beer but it reminds me of that. I like it for what it is , not a typical IPA , but an enjoyable beer that I would purchase again

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 15:53:40 | More by ubenumber2

GiantMidget

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Had in cask in a pint glass at Pinocchio's in Media PA.

2 finger head with pretty solid lacing that remained throughout the drinking.
Caramel colored, a bit dark for a typical IPA but not too brown.

It smelled quite hoppy and floral.
It also had a very dry taste from the Centennial hops which were very evident on the back of the tongue.
Also quite floral but minimal citrus flavoring and I didn't catch any pine at all.

The mouthfeel was quite weak, almost flat to some degree, this I assume due to being served in cask. Despite this weakness I believe the flavor of the IPA was good enough to merit a 3.5 overall because it's saved by the dry hoppiness.

Try it if you get a chance.

Serving type: cask

01-06-2013 02:49:03 | More by GiantMidget

MikeD71

Michigan

4.05/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Overall a good tasting ale, my first experience with craft beer in many years. Adding the bottle to my new collection. A start on my journey and appreciation of beer, mass produced and craft. Took this a shot in the dark as a single in the grocery store.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 00:39:51 | More by MikeD71

DrinkinBoy

Georgia

3.95/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a bright amber. Head is white with good retention and great lacing.

S - Relatively faint, but typical American IPA. Slight caramel malt aroma with American hops leaning towards floral/pine than grapefruit.

T - Flavor is much brighter and more complex than aroma. Starts with malt sweetness with a nice mid palate transition to hop bitterness. Very long finish, but is not cloyingly bitter.

M - Medium body with nice compliment of carbonation.

O - Not that there is a shortage of American IPAs, but a good version that is wont disappoint. Only lacked real strong aroma.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 04:07:22 | More by DrinkinBoy

AlphaRanger

3.03/5  rDev -20.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A- Slight hazy amber/copper color. Good head retention and solid lacing. Dissipated into a nice creamy foam.

S- Bready maltiness. Not too much hops up front which surprised me a bit. A bit of spicy earthiness comes through.

T- A bit malty which again, surprised me as I was hoping for a bit more from this seeing as I've heard such good things about this beer. Not so much floral compared to the sort of spicy bitterness I was getting.

M- Pretty much what you would expect from a beer of this type. Although it seemed a tad bit undercarbonated, which lended a sort of smoothness to it. But undercarbonated nonetheless. I enjoy hoppy delicious bubbles dancing on my tongue!

O- Somewhat disappointing. Certainly didn't live up to the billing although I was still grateful to be able to sample this. If you have other options, pass this one up. You won't be missing much.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 19:44:28 | More by AlphaRanger

barczar

Kentucky

3.65/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy copper color with apricot highlights and a fleeting one inch cream head that dissipates quickly.

Soapy, floral hops and citrus begin the aroma. Bready caramel malt is at the finish. Grapefruit and tangerine mingle with herbal hops.

Toasted breadcrust forms the backbone of the flavor profile, with a fairly bitter finish closing things. Floral hops and grapefruit pith add intrigue. The balance is decidedly bitter and floral.

Body is moderate, with moderate carbonation and a touch of astringency.

Overall, more malty than some. Lacks the citrus flavor promised in the aroma.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 09:25:09 | More by barczar

dougbassett

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

One of the "1001 Beers You Must Try Before You Die" -- #11 of the ones I've reviewed.

I was actually pleasantly surprised by this one -- I went in not expecting a tremendous amount and ended up really enjoying it. Pours a very appealing dark golden brown with a fluffy head. The nose is a very light citrus, which doesn't accurately signal at all the intensely citrusy flavors -- I've had hoppier IPAs, and bitterer IPAs (and frankly better IPAs) but I don't think I've ever had a IPA quite as *citrusy* as this one turned out to be. In my beer-drinking experience, anyway, it's rather unique.

It has a light mouthfeel, which I'm of two minds about -- on the one hand I'd probably appreciate something a little weightier, but on the other hand maybe the body had to be this light to contain the citrus flavors.

Probably more refreshing in the summer than when I'm drinking it (before Xmas), but quite a nice beer, I think, somewhat unusual for the style.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 02:43:30 | More by dougbassett

Alextricity

Michigan

3.8/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: A slightly hazy copper colored beer with a short lived head. The lacing is patchy. Kind of mediocre, really.

Smell: The highlight, no doubt. Smells awesome. The spice mixed with the piney and flowery hops is awesome.

Taste/feel: The taste just doesn't quite do it for me like it does other people here. There's a lot of bitterness, and it's lacking some balance. It's tasty at the front, but at the end of the sip there's too much lingering bitterness for me on some of the sips. It's still no doubt a tasty IPA, but not as great as others are saying, in my opinion. The feel is appropriate -- not too thin, but nice and drinkable like an IPA should be. Refreshing.

An above average IPA, but not a must-try. The aroma of this one would make an awesome candle though.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 21:50:30 | More by Alextricity

yooperjb

California

4.3/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - amber color when poured. Very little head or carbonation reaction during pour.

S - was very pleasant, floral aroma. Strong citrus with hints of hops.

T - a delicious hoppy flower with great citrus hints once warmed in the palate.

M - Seemed strangely a little under-carbonated at first but got better after a couple sips. The apparent lower carbonation actually worked very well with the taste.

O - this beer was a pleasant change from all the West coast IPAs I'm used to. It has a very pleasant fruity taste and leaves a great lingering floral taste on the tongue.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 06:37:36 | More by yooperjb

JG-90

New Jersey

2.8/5  rDev -26.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured from bottle into a chalice

A- Cloudy amber in color, pours a very small 1/4" head, which quickly disappears to leave just a touch of foam around the edges

S- Smells very nice, does not have a large hop smell but just enough. Great fruit and citrus smell. Unfortunately, the smell was by far the best part.

T- Very underwhelming for an IPA. Very small hops flavor. The wonderful smell of fruit and citrus did not translate into much taste either. Is a little too bitter considering there is not much hop presence.

M- Seemed slightly undercarbinated and a little biting

O- Pretty disappointed in this beer especially with the high rating online

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 01:36:05 | More by JG-90

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.5/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap in a 10 oz chalice glass

Appearance – Served a deep amber colored beer with a one finger white head. The head fades in about 1-2 min. leaving a decent amount of lacing.

Smell – The aroma is a mix of malt and hop. The malty nature of the aroma is heaviest of a bready smell while the hop aroma is of a grapefruit and earthy smell mixed with a bit of a herbal smell.

Taste – The taste begins with a very lightly caramel sweetened bready taste with a lighter citrus hop flavor. As the taste advances the sweetness fades with the citrus hop growing stronger. More towards the end of the taste, with the sweeter flavors largely gone by now, a good dose of herbal and earthy hops come to the tongue. In the end a bitter earthy/herbal biscuit flavor are left on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is just above average in terms of creaminess and thickness with a carbonation level that was just shy of average. The slightly thicker body and the lower carbonation were nice for accentuating the hoppier and breadier flavors of the brew.

Overall –The lower abv and more mild hop flavors were nice for making it more session style and the beer has a pretty nice hop flavor that comes to the tongue at the end. While these things were nice, the flavor transitions and balance were not the greatest. Overall it was a decent IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

11-09-2012 00:44:00 | More by Darkmagus82

BeerDawgs

Georgia

3.43/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - A deep bronze with low clarity with lots of sticky lace and head left all over the top of the beer

S - bitterness

T - Lots of bitterness. Not much citrus or balance

M - Medium bodied and highly carbonated

O - Not a solid IPA in my opinion. Not well enough balanced.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 04:39:45 | More by BeerDawgs

williamjbauer

West Virginia

3.68/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottled served in a pint glass

A - bronze amber, clear with a 1.5 finger frothy white head with excellent retention and good sticky lacing all round the glass

S - pine resin, chiefly grapefruit, lemon zest, biscuit, crackers

T - taste follows the nose, pretty heavy of the grapefruit and fairly bitter, just a touch of malt and booze, this one could be balance a tad better

M - medium body, mod carbonation. Chewy

T - not bad but I've had so many better iPad that I'll pass on this one lest someone else is paying. Their imperial is much better

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2012 00:45:31 | More by williamjbauer

Fusion_Pirate

3.38/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Poured from a chilled bottle into a New Holland Brewing beer glass, Mad Hatter yielded very little head, which dissipated very quickly. Lacing is solid around the glass, with average retention. So why the 4.5 for appearance? Because this beer looks BEAUTIFUL. The color is a murky, cloudy burnt-orange that absolutely screams, "DRINK ME!"

S: Floral and citrus hops hit the nose right off the bat- as good as any IPA I've ever smelled.

T: The flavor, unfortunately, doesn't quite add up to the olfactory preview. This is a relatively weak beer in general, which can partially be explained by the 5.25% ABV. I'm getting a lot of generic grain malt taste; bready and slightly chalky, with just a tinge of the hops that seemed so prominent when smelling the brew. Don't get me wrong; I'm all for a sessionable microbrew...after all, look at what Founders has done with their All Day IPA- that's a spectacular tasting beer by any standard! Mad Hatter, however, lacks both the punch and the complexity of a top-shelf IPA.

M: A bit oily for my tastes. The beer lingers on the tongue, causing a grainy aftertaste to compile over the course of the beer. Carbonation is mild, as appropriate for the style.

O: I'll tell you what: New Holland Brewing's Mad Hatter is quite the looker, and quite the smeller. But once you actually dive in, you realize that this beer doesn't quite add up to the sum of its parts. I may try it again on tap when I find my way back to Holland next summer, but I wouldn't buy this bottled again.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 00:27:19 | More by Fusion_Pirate