New Holland Dragon's Milk Oak Barrel Ale - New Holland Brewing Company

biglite351

Pennsylvania

2.9/5  rDev -25.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - quite dark but a good amount of red around the edges. The head vanished quickly.

S - sweet with mild bourbon. Almost wine-like in a way.

T - sweet, vanilla with some bourbon. Unlike most oaked brews the bourbon is NOT overpowering. Almost cream soda with a small shot

M - good coating, no real tingle, mild alcohol burn in the throat.

D - one only. Too sweet.

Serving type: on-tap

05-22-2010 00:31:21 | More by biglite351

AverageJay

Michigan

4.28/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Not exactly a daily nor weekly brew, but one helluva good timer.

A - Draft pint came to the table looking like an innocent glass of Coke with a thin lacing of foam.

S - Whiskey all the way. If you're a bourbon fan, this is YOUR beer.

T - Since I like an occasional glass of whiskey/bourbon, this one felt great on the palate. It's as if God himself created this combination of beer and sour mash.

MF - Imagine the smoothest whiskey in the world going down with no "Jim Beam" gag reflexes.

D - Could never play with this one every day, nor every week. but it still comes in as a helluva beer that will be further reserved for special occasions.

Overall, if you don't like a glass of whiskey, stay away. If you like some nice juice on the rocks, try it out.

Serving type: on-tap

05-13-2010 00:22:03 | More by AverageJay

champ103

Texas

3.68/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a nearly pitch black color. A one finger tan head forms with good retention. Some sticky lace is left behind.
S: Roasted malt up front. Chocolate and coffee is strong. Slightly smoky and some dry wood.
T: Lots of roasted malt, chocolate, coffee, and sweet vanilla. Lots of dry wood. A light grainy flavor. Plenty of fusel alcohol.
M/D: A full body that is low on the carbonation. Creamy and smooth. The fusel alcohol makes this a one and down. Though a nice beer to sip on.

This is a nice beer. Big and something to sip during a contemplative night. Recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

05-08-2010 12:35:00 | More by champ103

alkemy

Ohio

4.4/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Very dark brown with ruby highlights and a very thin tan head from the tap. It's neither here nor there, but the bartender and New Holland's website say the ABV on this is 10%.
Scent is dominated by butterscotch. There's also vanilla, bourbon, and a touch of bitter chocolate. The taste is much of the same...lots of butterscotch. Also woody vanilla and a chocolaty finish. You can taste that there is a bit of alcohol in this, but it's not over the top. Creamy feel and the carbonation was just right. I was really impressed with this one.

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2010 18:24:58 | More by alkemy

MacDaddyJ

North Carolina

4.93/5  rDev +26.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is probably in my top 3 favorite beers. I had it on tap at the Flying Saucer in Charlotte, NC.
It pours a thick, dark onyx with a nice off-white head. The nose gives you lots of chocolate, dark roasted malt, some vanilla oaky notes and just a hint of the alcohol. Each sip helps paint a full picture of this complex Strong Ale. You start off with lots of chocolate that tastes nice and creamy because of the subtle vanilla, and as it warms you start to taste the malt backing it up, along with some oak notes and again just a hint of the alcohol. The lingering finish is of vanilla and chocolate and leaves you wanting more. This is an awesome and dangerously drinkable beer for the 8.5% abv.

Serving type: on-tap

03-26-2010 18:34:52 | More by MacDaddyJ

ne0m00re

Ohio

3.18/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 5 | overall: 2.5

Served on-tap in a brandy snifter at Betty's in Columbus.

A: Black with an amber hue. The soft, big tan head disappears after your first sip and you're left with a thin lace.
S: Heavy fruity bourbon and vanilla.
T: More of the same with some roasted malts. I'm not a big fan of these one-note stouts.
M: It has a full body but it's a crisp beer with an alcoholic bite. The mouthfeel is in-balance and really is this beer's saving grace.
D: If I stuck around, I'd order a different beer. This definitely is a brandy-snifter beer.

Overall, the intense vanilla bourbon flavor overwhelms the beer. I would order a local brewpub's stout over this anyday.

Serving type: on-tap

02-12-2010 04:51:34 | More by ne0m00re

drpimento

Wisconsin

4.1/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served with a fine foamy tan head and good lace. Color is a very dark, almost opaque cherry wood. Aroma is heavy malt, whiskey, caramel, vanilla, toffee, and leather. Flavor is like that, but much more intense and quite sweet. Wonder if they're using lactose... Has a smoothness to the body. Good carbonation. Finish is like flavor and long. Not a session beer. Might work good with ice cream.

Serving type: on-tap

02-09-2010 03:13:37 | More by drpimento

Florida9

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Appears black, but it reveals itself to be a very dark brown when held to the light. Served with a minimal 1/8" of light tan, very creamy head, that has little retention. Light lacing.

S: Heavy scent of oak and vanilla. Sweet dark malts. Molasses.

T: Vanilla and oak and a bit on the boozy side, leading to the inevitable scent of bourbon. Slightly sweet, caramel. Long, hot finish.

M: Medium heavy with medium carbonation level. High alcohol content gives a cooling feeling to the mouth.

D: I've seen this beer around, but have been passing this one up for a very long time. However, I found it to be a very good ale, much better than expected. The high alcohol content gives the beers a lighter feeling and encourages another sip. Enjoyed it.

Serving type: on-tap

02-05-2010 02:20:40 | More by Florida9

chaz410

North Carolina

4.15/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Got this many of times from bottle but reviewed on tap at the flying saucer.
Pours a deep blackish red with a thin kakhi colored head.
Smells of thick caramel and biscuit malts along with huge punches of vanilla and oak sweet notes. No real hop profile evident here.
Taste smooth, chocolate notes and caramel lace the tongue. Not like a stout, more like a chocolate infused strong dark ale. Oak and vanilla character are very evident. Rich crisp finish.
Very smooth mouthfeel that saturates the tongue quickly.

Serving type: on-tap

01-15-2010 03:57:33 | More by chaz410

dondeez21

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Surf Taco Jackson NJ.
A:Deep, Dark, Black with a tan 1 finger thick head.
S: Hints of bourbon,oak and vanilla
T: Bourbon, Oak, Vanilla, Roasted malts with a hint of alcohol once the beer warms up.
M: Thick Chewy and stickey with a slight alcohol burn.
D: Very good beer couldnt throw down more than a 12oz pint in a sitting though.

Serving type: on-tap

01-15-2010 01:30:12 | More by dondeez21

colefsuwr

Michigan

4.45/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Deep, dark, and heavy define this beer. Not for the faint of heart. This will make you never want to drink a guiness again because it takes mouthfeel to a whole new level. A wonderful vanilla undertone coats your palate and faint notes of whiskey can be caught as well.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2010 21:11:16 | More by colefsuwr

goldbot

District of Columbia

4.03/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap in a goblet. Poured a dark brown to ruby color, with one finger tan/brown head.

Smells of chocolate and dark cherry, some oak, and a moderate solvent/alcohol smell. Tastes more of the same. The solvent taste is very noticeable, but like a good bourbon, with decent alcohol warmth. The dark cherry, however, backs up the alcohol flavor quite well, creating a pretty nice balance. Nice oak flavors to back up everything else.

A great beer overall, the booziness is overpowering at first but it's like a good whiskey. I probably wouldn't drink a ton of it at once, but I'll have more if I get the chance.

Serving type: on-tap

01-13-2010 02:34:31 | More by goldbot

rtratzlaff

North Carolina

4.63/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This pours a clear black with ruby highlights all around the glass. A decent looking pour. Plenty of ecru head atop the body. The aroma is sweet bourbon oak along with plenty of malt. The flavors burst on the tongue with coconut quite strong from the bourbon barrels. The oak quality really stands out. Though this is classified an American strong Ale, I would call it a Bourbon Stout without the body. Tons of vanilla and bourbon characteristics are omnipresent. This is one awesome tasting beer. The mouthfeel is lighter than most, but the abv of 10% probably lightens it up a bit. The only thing that would improve with this is possibly a fuller mouthfeel, but I could care less since it is so amazing in the flavor department. If you like the taste of anything oaked, you will love this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2009 12:59:38 | More by rtratzlaff

dmamiano

West Virginia

3.73/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured a very dark, almost black with a small head and nice lacing observed.
smelled of oak, vanilla and alcohol. Hints of bourbon came to mind as took a good wiff!
taste was of oak, bourbon, vanilla and malts.
warming the insides as i quaffed this one.
very unusual beer...good.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2009 21:05:33 | More by dmamiano

koopa

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2007 Vintage served during the Black Friday event at Capone's.

Appearance: pours a dark black with garnet corners and a minimal off white crown that exhibits a touch of retention and lace.

Smell: Roast malt, chocolate, vanilla, toffee, oak, and creme. I'm not noticing any booze presence so perhaps the 2 years of aging made that difference.

Taste: While the flavors aren't as vibrant as when consumed fresh, everything has melded well into a delicious brew. Oak and chocolate up front.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with little carbonation. Feels a bit slick with a touch of chewiness.

Drinkability: The abv is the only thing holding this one back from scoring higher in the drinkability department. The flavors are well melded.

Not fantastic, but I enjoyed this 07' vintage more than fresh samplings.

Serving type: on-tap

11-29-2009 22:07:29 | More by koopa

Avagadro

New Jersey

4.58/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: opaque in the glass. Only when held to the light do garnet highlight appear. There is a thin, creamy film that sis atop the pint.

S: bouquet is well presented with notes of vanilla, caramel, and nutmeg.

T: fantastic balance of a malty caramel body and oaky vanilla notes. Not much in the way of hops, but this brew doesn't need it. The oak. Stands on its own to balance this brew out.

M: one of the most creamy brews I've ever had. Thick and creamy, a perfect complement to this beer's robust flavors.

D: one of my favorites when I'm back in Michigan. One of the best barrel aged ales ever made.

Serving type: on-tap

11-25-2009 20:06:32 | More by Avagadro

ThickestHead

Wisconsin

4.03/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured cold into a snifter.
Comes a solid dark brown color with a thick tan head that leaves minimal lacing.
Smells similar to the taste: Roasted malt, lotts of chocolate and vanilla, some oak, and alcohol throughout.
Has a medium body that is pretty creamy.
Drinkable enough, but I would see aging this one in the cellar would help the alcohol from taking such a noticable presence. Decent brew.

Serving type: on-tap

08-13-2009 02:36:45 | More by ThickestHead

isubsmith

Minnesota

4.65/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I've had this in bottles many times so I decided to try a half barrel of it at home.

Appearance: Very dark brown, perhaps mahogany if you look through it at a light. Nice creamy head, lots of lacing, probably more than I remember from bottled versions.

Nose: The first few glasses out of the keg are unbelievably good. Chocolate, woody, toffee, some vanilla and bourbon. Sweet, caramelized sugar. Some of the alcohol is there when it warms up a bit.

Taste: Mirrors the nose, but even more complex. Smooth, bourbon flavors up front. Then some vanilla and maltyness. Finish is chocolate goodness.

Mouthfeel: Lower carbonation, but I was also using 85% N2/15% CO2. The partial pressure CO2 was probably a bit off, but frankly I enjoyed it anyway. About the same bite as the bottle has, so it couldn't have been too far off. Medium body, very creamy.

Drinkability: Very drinkable. Just remember to stand up once in a while and take stock of your facilities before you get in trouble.

Serving type: on-tap

07-06-2009 16:56:43 | More by isubsmith

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Brass Rail Deli on 7/2/09.

A - Dark brown body with mahogany highlights and solid two-finger creamy tan cap at its summit, which deposited lots of sticky foam around the glass.

S - Chocolate and caramel blended with vanilla and bourbon notes. Sweet aroma with a hint of alcohol heat. Minimal woody/oaky character, although there is a touch of nuttiness.

T - Flavor possesses a bold bourbon presence with a sweet, cooling vanilla character. Some chocolate fudge notes emerge in the backend with a subtle alcohol kick. While there is not much of an oaky or woody presence, the flavor is sweet overall with virtually no astringency.

M - Medium bodied with a slick, smooth mouthfeel and super creamy texture. Carbonation is minimal and quite soft of the tongue. Alcohol warmth is quite restrained, especially for a high ABV Strong Ale.

D - Dragon's Milk boasts exceptional drinkability for a bourbon barrel aged Strong Ale. This one definitely exceeded my expectations. My first encounter with New Holland was certainly a memorable one. I will be seeking out more from this brewery in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

07-05-2009 23:59:19 | More by ffejherb

Deuane

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at the Pine Tavern, Cranberry Twp.,PA

A-Deep, dark, murky ruby tinted brown/black with a thin ring of light tan head that left no lace.

S-Roasted malt, some cocoa, light coffee and a bit of vanilla. Not very aromatic at first and this one had to warm for the notes to come forth.

T-Dark roasted malts with nice, bitter accents of coffee and cocoa that are balanced with sweetness from lactose and vanilla. Bit of earthy hop bitterness in the finish.

M-Medium bodied, quite rich and very smooth. Good lingering roasted bitterness and vanilla sweetness.

D-An easy one to enjoy. Plenty of flavour and balance with good smoothness making for pleasant brew. The 9% ABV goes by unnoticed.

Serving type: on-tap

04-21-2009 17:35:41 | More by Deuane

Thanby

Ohio

4.22/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Deep ruby color, creamy tan head, leaves some lacing. Smells of roasted malt, caramel, chocolate, and has a creamy quality. The taste is smooth and creamy, the roasted malt dominating the flavor, a little bitter (can't tell if that's hops or not), the caramel and chocolate surface slowly and there's a slightly spicy lingering finish. Definitely a delicious brew, fits the name well. Very easy to drink and the high ABV is fairly hidden. Great balance and body, and just delicious. This is the favorite of everyone at a beer bar near me called Chappy's, and it's obvious why.

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2009 00:04:11 | More by Thanby

CrazyMacHarris99

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

This one was poured at Smokin' Joes on the Southside - Feb 14th 2009. A dark almost black brew with dark brown highlights and a tan head that quickly dissipated. The smell is light with some oak and vanilla and a slight alcohol. There are dark fruits and some cocoa trying to push through. The taste is very boozy with a dominate vanilla and oak. There is some bourbon and brandy as well as the dark cocoa and a hint of bitter coffee. This one is very creamy and thick. It tastes amazing but is a lot all up front. This one needs to calm down a bit.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2009 06:03:15 | More by CrazyMacHarris99

Reneejane

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I tried this beer on tap, and a bottled version. The bottle was nowhere near as good as the tap version, while this is true of many beers it is very apparent with this beer. A lot of the complex aromas and flavors were lost when bottled. But the aroma was very sweet with a definitive brandy flavor. The taste was sweet and had a definite alcohol warming. The color was black. I loved the spicy flavors from the hops. There were definite sweet estery notes as well. This is a great beer, but on tap, this is a phenomenal beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2009 03:21:52 | More by Reneejane

Beerasaurus

Virginia

3.05/5  rDev -22%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Tried this on tap as the Black Tulip was unavailable.

Appearance was similar to a stout, dark with a tannish head, though the head was minimal.

Maybe my nose wasn't working, but a didn't detect any real aroma.

The taste almost an overpowering oaky/bourbon flavor, not my favorite.

Mouthfeel was somewhat milky.

Worth a try, but for the High Gravity offerings, I'd go with the Black Tulip.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2009 03:34:49 | More by Beerasaurus

BretSikkink

Mexico

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Dark brown color that borders of black very closely, but there is some coloration along the bottom edge - a ruby highlight. Sticky lacing.

The aroma is very woody, predominantly oak. It's a little overbearing. Lots of chocolate notes, i.e., mild roast with some sweetness and a little dark fruitiness. Vanilla bean and fusel alcohols are all over the back end of the nose.

The flavor is a bit overly sweet for me to really say I like it. The oak is a little too dominant for me - I guess maybe bourbon barrels would have worked better with the char and vanilla characters exhibited elsewhere.

Some roasted malt again, with the molasses component mixing with a sweeter side. The vanilla is pretty evident, with, again, the fusel alcohols not far behind.

The mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, and the finish is all vanilla. Pretty interesting and unusual, but not quite up my alley.

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2008 01:56:03 | More by BretSikkink