New Holland Black Hatter - New Holland Brewing Company

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Red-black color. Lacy beige head. Looks very sticky.

Mildly malty (light coffee and cocoa) and nicely hoppy (grapefruit, herbaceousness, light pine). Not too showy.

Floral pine-y with some resinous flavors. All coupled with light coffee roastiness and maltiness. Mellow, but not without bitterness.

Medium-bodied... maybe a little fuller. Carbonation is lacking, however. Could use some livelihood.

Okay black IPA. Very forgettable. Nothing I'd seek out.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2013 23:50:56 | More by thecheapies

Chaney

District of Columbia

3.78/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This sucker was cheap, cheap, CHEAP! Only $5/bomber.Pou

Served in a Delirium Tremens shaped-glass.

A: Poured as black as night, with a light, 2-finger mocha head that resembled a souffle somewhat.

S: I got more citrus than dark malt, which in many circles is a good thing. However, this IS a Black IPA. I wanted a bit more roast.

T: Definitely an IPA, not sure about the rest. Not a lot of bite to the citrus (maybe that's what they were intending with the dark malt), but still pretty good.

M: There was rounded, non hop-bomb finish to the end of it. I liked that. This wasn't sweet in any way and the lacing was absolutely insane.

O: I think this is slightly better than the overall average here on BA, especially considering the price.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 20:28:45 | More by Chaney

WoodBrew

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Trying the Black Hatter...and I think it is pretty good. Another fine creation by Holland. The beer pours a almost opaque black with teh deep ruby hugh. The head is at least a finger thick and is leaving a lace. The smell has very fine hoppy with pine leaning tones. There is not much in the form of roast or malt. The taste is a bit bitter than I would prefer from a black ipa....would like a bit more roast and malt to start and then let the hops clean the pallete. The beer has a light to moderate body with smooth carbonation. Overall it isnt bad....but definitely not the best. I like the flavor with the lower abv which makes this a potential session brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 00:31:48 | More by WoodBrew

Beer_Runner

3.6/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The label states: “Vintage 2012.” There are no dates on the label or bottle that are more specific.

A: A slow pour into a standard pint glass created about two fingers of a dense and slightly clumpy head, light mocha colored head. After a few minutes the head dissipated to a collar and left some fairly good lacing. The brew was a dark cola color with a red hue, and it was opaque.

S: The aroma consisted of dark, sweet malt and floral hops with a hint of citrus, too.

T: The taste consisted of mild roasted malt and a strong floral and citrusy hops flavor the bordered on harshness. There was also a little earthiness to the hops flavor.

M: The body was to the lighter side of the medium range and it was very smooth with a medium amount of carbonation.

O: This was a different take on IPA. The darker malt did not provide a strong enough backbone to support the hops. It lacked the sweetness necessary for balance. And, the hops flavors were one dimensional and almost harsh. Overall, it was okay, but not something I would go very far out of my way to find.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 20:59:15 | More by Beer_Runner

dfillius

Michigan

4.08/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint.
A: Moderate pour yields 1/2 finger of fizzy dark brown head with fair retention. Chill hazy dark brown liquid. I'd like better head retention, otherwise nice.
S: Delightful hop forward aroma. Centennial, maybe cascade? NW hops no doubt, not terribly fruity, slightly dank. No roast. Slightly estery apple is not forceful and pleasant.
T: Hop forward with only slight roast in the finish. Exactly as I like my CDAs. One of the top 5 that I've had. Slight green banana rides on the alcohol. Slight chocolate. Very tasty. Would rate it higher if the hops stayed stronger than the alcohol throughout. They end up equal near the end.
M: A tad thin at the start, becomes fuller once esters and alcohol character grows. Slight warmth.
O: Very nice and a good CDA. Will buy again, especially since it's only $4.50 for a bomber. I'd order another.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 18:53:57 | More by dfillius

hooliganlife

Missouri

3.9/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2012 bottle

pour was a light think black cola like with about an inch or so of head.

light citrus hops and sweet roasted malt.

light sweetness and light roasted malt. nice and hoppy through out, blend of citrus and some bittering. lots of juicy ripe fruit.

light, mild to moderate carb

for the price, this is great. i will buy a few more.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 02:39:05 | More by hooliganlife

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep, deep brown black with ruby high lights around the edges. A tall tan head sits on top leaving lots of sticky lacing.
Its dry hopped so along with a nice roasted malt bill we have some pungent oily hops with a citrust scent. Taste finds a good roasted malt bill and some light hops citrusy as in the nose but more complimentory to rhe malts. Drinks well.
Smooth tasting but a little flat also. Finishes semi dry and semi bitter. A solid offering from the boys at New Holland.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 10:21:13 | More by micromaniac129

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Deep cola pour with red brick highlights glisten from the light upon exit. A dense black in the vessel with a khaki colored head that was a finger in size and fairly firm in structure has a good stay. Window dressing is kept to a minimal.

S: Sweet caramel and pine mix nicely together, smooth easy roast bitterness is enough to appreciate accompanied by a creamer touch, some mocha and a spicy bit of tarragon. Subtle complexity, just wish it should more muscle to really shine though.

T: Flavor had a spicy bit of pine-roast and licorice, burnt barley sweetness and some coffee flair. Flowery citrus and pine brings a modest level of hops to the table while the earthy coffee roastiness is left to shine.

M: Good tingle of carbonation, thick oily feel, frothy texture on the hold with a warming bitterness of burnt citrus and wet coffee grounds.

O: Overall a decent cascadian ale. Flavor was decent, but felt it fell just a bit short of being a solid good (4.0) rating with a linear complexity and lacked that spike or stand out quality. End of the day a good example, respectable, worthy of a try.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 22:36:32 | More by beerthulhu

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.55/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap in a 10 oz chalice glass

Appearance – Served a deep-deep brown nearly black color with a small tan head. The head faded relatively fast to leave a lighter level of lacing.

Smell – The aroma is a combination of hop and dark malt. The hop aromas are mainly of a citrus nature but are mixed with a nice presence of pine as well, with the malt aroma of brown bread and chocolate.

Taste – The taste begins with a roasted malt flavor of coffee, nut and chocolate mixed with a lighter caramel flavor. While initially the roasted flavors are the alone and heaviest in the taste (although not really “heavy”) they are soon greeted by a surge of some hop flavors. While citrus is the biggest, there are notes of a pine and earthy hop as well. The roasted malt and caramel body at the beginning support the bitter hop flavors rather well.. In the end a roasty and slightly hoppy flavor are left to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer was on the light to medium side with the carbonation level being slightly high. A little more body and a little less carbonation would have helped those roasted notes stand out more perhaps, but regardless the feel was not too bad.

Overall – A rather nice roasty and chocolaty flavor with some nice hoppy accents. While not the greatest black IPA it is rather tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

08-15-2012 00:42:55 | More by Darkmagus82

hopsolutely

Ontario (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Purchased in MI in July, labelled "vintage 2012" on the bottle. Pours a clear and dark reddish-brown, almost black in the centre, with a limited but surprisingly light-coloured head.

Initial aroma was stunningly “west coast” hop, but that has faded as the pint has warmed into caramelized dark and chocolate malts. This bready malt sweetness is definitely forward at the beginning of the taste, but it transitions into a nicely hopped flavour, with lots of tropical fruit followed by a dry finish. That finish is pleasantly bitter and lingers for an impressively long time.

I’m a big fan of New Holland’s The Poet stout but haven’t been that impressed anytime I’ve tried their Mad Hatter IPA. I view this beer as a very pleasant surprise and one I would purchase again.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2012 01:09:01 | More by hopsolutely

TwelveOunces

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer pours pitch black with some blood red around the edges. The beer has a hop dominant nose. There is an impressive amount of citrus notes as well as a heap of pine needles. The flavor is also all about the hops, the pine and citrus come through full force. There is not a ton that would give away the "black" part of the beer other then the appearance, the roasted malts and other dark flavors aren't too strong. However this beer drinks really well and is a worthy version of the original.

Serving type: on-tap

08-05-2012 03:48:04 | More by TwelveOunces

ThickNStout

Georgia

3.43/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle. 2012 vintage. Served in a Red Brick snifter. 

Pours deep but opaque brown with two fingers light khaki head. A little lacing.

Smells of fire roasted grapefruit,  cloved orange and smoked fresh cut grass. A more subtle take than many of the style I've tried. 

The grapefruit it a little more pronounced in the flavor. Bitter citrus followed closely by softer aspects of charred wood, black pepper, rind, dark malts and dough.

Feel is light to medium with an almost heavy hand on the carbonation. Bitter grapefruit lingers in the aftertaste. 

Not a stand out in this growing style but not bad either. At $5, it's not a bad value either. 

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 01:22:18 | More by ThickNStout

Etan

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz into a stout glass.

A: Pours a nice mahogany with a big tan head. Nice lacing as well.

S: Big hop resin and dark grain. Citric and oily, dark chocolate.

T: Mild grapefruit, bitter spice, oily leaf, dark grain, roast, toasted bread.

M: Almost thick-bodied, fine carbonation, creamy.

O: Might be my favorite of the Hatter variants. Pretty decent.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2012 17:26:36 | More by Etan

Shibbykaiyai

Michigan

4.23/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Ashleys in Ann Arbor, MI.

This brew pours as black as coffee, with a little bit of tannish head.

A good, simple tasting brew. There are some hints of citrus and it is not overly hoppy. The brew goes down easily as their is very little alcohol bite or excessive hoppiness.

This is my first foray into Black Ales, but I will definitely heed the other reviews and look at others in the genre.

Serving type: on-tap

07-18-2012 18:28:35 | More by Shibbykaiyai

Brenden

Ohio

3.35/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Vintage 2012 reviewed fresh.

This devious-looking Hatter's just darker than cola-colored brown-black, light seeping through at the edges. A tan head grows to a finger in height. Retention is good and the thick foam that remains after it fades leaves pretty thick lacing in patches in good density down the glass.
The focus seems to be on roast, with an earthiness and a vegetal quality before a more leafy, herbal bitterness comes out from the hops. This isn't as aromatic as the original Hatter, though the malts play nicely.
The flavor is oddly tame and not particularly hoppy, though a bit; I might think it was an old batch and the hops were faded if I didn't know it's fresh. The bitterness that comes out is a mix of pith and an acrid touch from the malts, as a charred note mars it. I'm not sure what happened, but I don't think the execution is here. The bitter edge in the finish is bracing, but not because the bitterness itself is too much. Think raw dandelion.
The feel is good, about a medium body with a brightness to it that seems to contradict its thick, dark look. Crispness never fades and it's smooth underneath.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2012 02:29:04 | More by Brenden

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.93/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours chestnut with 3+ fingers of khaki colored head. Great lacing & good head retention

S: Brown bread, some charred grain

T: Peppery hops, a touch of nuttyness, plus piney notes up front. Some charred grain as this warms, some caramel, grapefruit & woody hops plus dryness. Finishes with grapefruit & some woody hops, dry & a bit of charred grain, just a touch of pear fruittyness

MF: Medium bodied, fairly soft carbonation, nice balance

A good black ale, this above par for New Holland, one I would reccomend

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2012 01:00:10 | More by russpowell

srv33

3.88/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark pour, inch head, great lacing. Smells like an IPA. Tastes like an ale with a bit of slightly smoky malt with a decent amount of hops. Roasted malt is prominent in this blend and works well adding balance to this beer. Unique and very drinkable. If you get a chance to pick this one up, go for it. One of my favorites from New Holland.

Serving type: on-tap

06-30-2012 00:35:34 | More by srv33

chanokokoro

Illinois

3.73/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 oz. bottle into a globe glass

Pours opaque black with a two and half finger off-white head. The aroma of pine, citrus rind and roasted malt, although a bit more understated rises from the glass. Pine and citrus rind dominate the opening of this brew which transitions to a mild dark chocolate roastiness, and then finishes dry with citrus-like bitterness and a touch of roasted malt. Adequate carbonation, lighter-medium bodied brew. I've had Black IPA's I liked more, but I've also had some I didn't like as much. A solid, tasty brew.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2012 05:55:13 | More by chanokokoro

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.45/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

With sharp flavors coming from all angles, the grain, the hops, the alcohols all take turns with their assault against the palate. It reminds me of when I first tried IPA and couldn't fathom who would drink it by choice.

Black hatter begins with a dark, bark brown pour that constructs a short statured but densely creamy foam stance. Moderate on retention and lace, the beer doesn't really sing best the head character that's expected of IPA. However, the dark color gets me every time.

Vegetation plays on the nose with a lot of earthy and fragrant scents: tree bark, citrus, leaf, and straw blend for a very sharp and earthy aroma profile. Any softer caramel or bread scent offers slight rebuttal but at a distance as not to interfere with the aromas of hops or char.

Flavors are every bit as sharp as the taste of heavy toast, coffee grounds, chocolate, and burnt caramel deliver a decidedly dry malt character that acts as sparse support for the dominance of hops. Lead by grapefruit pith, the sharp and excessively bitter beer also attributes subsidiary flavors of leafy hop matter, twigs, tree bark, leaf, straw, and lemony sassafras. It's somewhat obvious that we're getting a lot of chlorophyll, tannin, and phenolic character from the hops and grain along with the more desirable oils and resins. It seems that the dry roast and high attenuation brings further attention to the vegital character.

The pang of hop bitterness and grain-derived astringency seems to attack the palate immediately, and without allowing the creamy carbonation or malt structure to fully support the hop dryness or alcohol. This leaves the beer lackluster in mouth feel and ushers in a quick finish of char, wood, and citrus snap.

The beer is pleasurable enough to drink, but the problem is that the beer has a tough time competing with the black IPA of Southern Tier, Stone, or Rockers.

Serving type: on-tap

06-27-2012 03:14:31 | More by BEERchitect

divineaudio

Michigan

3.4/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

bomber split with my gf, poured into a globe. 2012 batch.

a - pours a deep garnet color and forms a thin cap of tan foam. head calms quickly to a thin film that lasts for the duration and leaves thick swaths of lacing in the glass.

s - grapefruit, cola, grass, faint honey.

t - roasty malt character with faint dark chocolate undertones. grapefruit notes come in and crest into a mouth puckering wave of pine resin bitterness that hangs on the tongue for quite a while. unfortunately, the bitterness washes away all trace of the other flavors.

m - lighter side of medium with adequate carbonation. finer co2 profile and lots of hop oils lends to a creamy but slick feel.

o - pretty good, but doesn't hold a candle to the stone or deschutes takes on the style. i actually prefer regular mad hatter over this version. worth a try i guess but not a beer i'd drink often.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2012 22:54:50 | More by divineaudio

deebo

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at blackbird cafe
A. Pretty dang black with a touch of tan head
S. citrus hops not much else
T. Decent malt flavor but mostly hops. Some pine with a citrus tropical bite
M. Not much body. Fairly high carbonation. Not picking up any alcohol.
D. Pretty good.
O. A decent beer. Drinkable with a manageable amount of hops

Serving type: on-tap

06-15-2012 22:12:45 | More by deebo

JackieTH

Minnesota

3.98/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The beer is very dark in the glass, like motor oil although not opaque, rather slightly translucent. A decent khaki head. Leaves copious lacing.

Smell is pine resin hop. background of roasted malt although this is certainly not as prominent as I expected.

There is a nice, crisp, resinous pine and citrus pith hop bite across the tongue. Similar to the smell. There are roasty elements lurking, but the malt only slightly diminishes what is a pleasant, moderate bitterness throughout.

This is the second of the Hatter series I've tried and once again with this particular one mouthfeel, in my opinion, is a bit weak. Too light, and tends to fall apart. It could be better crafted.

Overall, this is a tasty black IPA. I'd definitely buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2012 04:25:13 | More by JackieTH

hardy008

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours black with a 3 finger foamy tan head with good retention and lacing. The aroma has grapefruit, pine, and dark roasted malt.

The taste is much like the aroma. Grapefruit is the most noticeable, followed by pine. Dark roasted malt is also present, but not as strong. Has some sweetness up front, and a good deal of bitterness. Nicely balanced, with good flavor.

Medium bodied, average carbonation, and has a ruby red grapefruit aftertaste. A good Black IPA / American Black Ale which I recommend trying if you get the chance.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2012 22:17:48 | More by hardy008

tdm168

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to jtd1969 for sharing this bomber

A - pitch black; off white head that's soft and dense; no retention

S - citrus, pine, a bit roasty

T - piny, citrusy, roasty, faint chocolate

M - medium bodied, smooth, well carbonated

Not bad but not great. Nothing really stands out. It's smooth and drinkable, but ultimately forgettable.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2012 21:59:58 | More by tdm168

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

3.23/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass from a 22oz bottle.

Pours a dark brown color with some nice ruby hues on the edges. There is a thin off-white head with some nice dense bubbles. It is quickly reduced down to a thin film.

Aroma of hops up front with some slight citrusy notes. Grassy and herbal with a nice background of slight toasted roasty malt. Bready notes are mixed in with some slight malty sweetness as well.

Flavor starts off with a burst of citrusy and herbal hops. Not too intense but definitely very present. There is a slightly acerbic note during the middle that isn't as attractive as it could be. There seems to be a very low roasted note to the malt component. It seems that the Black in ABA is only referring to the color. The malt bill doesn't shine as much as expected. Mouthfeel is a bit light for my taste. Very crisp with an intense bitter finish.

Not my favorite ABA. Very overwhelming. The malt bill needs to be more in your face.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 22:34:05 | More by JoEBoBpr