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

rodlavers

Pennsylvania

3.84/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75

Growler pour for Super Bowl. No head, as dark as you can get before it's black, with hints of red, very slight hints.

Smell is decent, not as intense as other bba beers: weakened vanilla, molasses, etc., some bourbon.

Taste is similar but more complex: dark fruit, some chocolate and coffe in there. Vanilla molasses and light bourbon notes are prominent.

Feel is nice and smooth, extremely light carbonation, a sense of earthiness to it. Enjoyable beer but not in the same league as other bba stouts, re: BCBS, BN, KBS. But don't let that sway you, go ahead and try it it's good. Cheers.

Serving type: growler

02-04-2013 01:27:43 | More by rodlavers

JDizzle

Indiana

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

Got a growler of this from Party Town in Florence, KY for $12.99

Pours deep brown/black with a small head. I don't think there was ample carbonation from the keg. I thought this would be darker and more viscous.

The smell from this thing is really great and bourbon forward. I get some oak, vanilla, and tons of bourbon.

The taste mirrors the smell. A lot of bourbon and vanilla. Faint oakiness is there along with roasted malts, being very secondary.... Bourbon is in yo face! The booze is well hidden.

Mouthfeel is medium. Carbs are a little low, but it could be the keg setup it came out of.

Not a world class beer, but fun to drink.

Serving type: growler

09-26-2012 01:29:41 | More by JDizzle

barczar

Kentucky

3.96/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a deep brown opaque color with garnet highlights at the edges and a thin later of milk chocolate head that dissipates leaving no trace.

Booze, malted milk balls, molasses, and oak lead the nose, with nutty roast malt forming the backbone. Hints of plums and raisins surface, and a hint of earthy hop.

Flavor is dominated by dark fruit initially, raisins, figs, and alcohol linger throughout. Roast malt surfaces late, with oak and a hint of citrus rounding the profile. As it warms chocolate dominates the taste.

Body is fairly thick, with minimal carbonation, and an alcoholic warmth can be felt throughout the sip.

A very tasty brew that could benefit from a little aging to soften the alcohol. Would definitely buy again.

Serving type: growler

02-15-2012 05:49:09 | More by barczar

beerman207

Kentucky

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

Big fan of Dragon's milk and saw it on growler at Party Town - Yes please!

A: Very dark brown with little light in with a tan head that is about 1-2 fingers head.

S: Sweet is burnt wood and some milk as well as some dark fruit. Malt coming through as well - no booze in the nose

T: Taste is lactose as well whopper chocolate and some raisin and maybe even some plum. Booze comes through in the back but feels nice on a cold night.

m: carbonation is perfect for this big of a beer - light

O: Wow - this one is quite nice on tap. Very happy to have tried it on growler.

Serving type: growler

01-29-2012 01:40:32 | More by beerman207

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

3.7/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served in a snifter. Low carbonation. Extremely dark, but not quite black. Aromas of oak, vanilla, cookie dough, chocolate, and some alcohol. Flavors of cola, toasted malt, and vanilla predominate. There's a little bit of booziness, but not enough to detract from the flavor. Mouthfeel is a bit thin.

I didn't think this was a bad beer. Given the scathing reviews some of my fellow BAs have given it, I wonder if NH hasn't modified it in some way. It's hard to find too much wrong with this beer, but I'll try. For one thing, I didn't particularly care for the cola flavor. Second, at this price I would expect a bit richer flavor. If you haven't tried it this year (2011), give it a whirl.

Serving type: growler

09-05-2011 00:48:26 | More by deadonhisfeet

welldigger888

South Carolina

4.18/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Aged in wodford reserve barrels, poured a deep nearly opaque ruby hue with minamal head & lace.

Boubon seems the strong suit here,oaky dark chocolate and roasty malt, but mostly a pleasant bourbon fume.

Oaky roasty vanilla bourbon is the up front flavors, creamy smooth deep grain bill chocolate malty goodness & a rather long bourbon finish laced with the vanilla again.

Seems a bit thin from what I was expecting, not real thick & chewy, That said goes down well and has a nice feel to it.

I like this brew, the bourbon is of the highst quality and goes well with the product.

Serving type: growler

04-01-2011 00:08:20 | More by welldigger888

toetag39

Illinois

2.5/5  rDev -36.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Poured out a really dark brown. Looked more like a dark porter. I can smell the molasses and chocolate they used on the brew. The taste was milky and smooth with numerous malts but the taste of alcohol came on strong and it was too carbonated.

I wouldn't mind it of I never had one again. Nothing special.

Serving type: growler

12-06-2010 08:43:30 | More by toetag39

violanojblues

Michigan

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

A - very dark, blackish. not a lot of head when poored from my growler. little lacing.

S - roasted malty, you can smell the booze, but it's not overpowering. you don't drink this without knowing that it's potent. i could smell the "oak-age-edness" (maybe it's just my brain telling me that because they've been aged in oak barrels which tells my nose that it's there)

T - Amazing! there's a lot of character in this once it warms up a little. strong bourbon/oaky flavor. lots of roasted malts, slighty smokey & creamy too. lot of things going on in here without being an over-complex hodge-podge of ingredients.

M - medium body. lightly carbonated (what you'd expect for this type of beer).

D - very smooth. an excellent after-dinner beer. i've enjoyed this one everytime i've had it with every sip.

This is a home-town favorite, with good reason.

Serving type: growler

01-08-2010 20:28:18 | More by violanojblues

FtownThrowDown

Ohio

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

Growler from Party Town.
Pours a dark brown with no head and no lacing. A little red hue around the edges. Roasted malts and some oak coming through in the nose. More of the same in the taste, but the effects of the barrel aging really round out this beer well. I didn't get as much of the bourbon in the draft version as I have previously from the bottle. A very easy and smooth drinking beer which is a problem given the 9% ABV. Very enjoyable.

Serving type: growler

10-01-2008 01:11:23 | More by FtownThrowDown

AndyP612

Illinois

4.26/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12 oz bottle poured violently into a tulip. 2013 vintage.

A- Black and thick ale with a lighter off white semi fluffy head. The contrast between the blackness of the liquid and the light head is very interesting being this is a bourbon barrel conditioned stout.

S- The nose is quite sweet with hints of sweet coffee and chocolate, slight vanilla and whiskey tease.

T- There's the bourbon! Bourbon is actually quite delicately integrated into the largely coffee and chocolate overtones thrown at me in the nose. Big in roasted, blackened malt with a punch of whiskey!

M- Very light in carbonation. Mouthfeel of about a 0.5% milk, medium bodied. Appearance wise, I would expect something a little bigger feel in the mouth but since this is a relatively young stout in a bottle I am anxious to see how it ages.

O- Great stout for May 12th when it's in the 40's! It's been a while since I have had this stout and I remember it being sweeter, almost too sweet, but this vintage is very nice and well balanced with the bourbon presence balancing out the sweet malt. As stated earlier, I can't wait for next winter to drink this and see how it matures in the bottle. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 03:29:14 | More by AndyP612

sommersb

Tennessee

4.24/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Tasted On: 05-06-2013
Freshness: 2012 Vintage
Packaging: 12 oz. bottle, pry-cap
Glassware: Snifter
Purchased: Received in a trade

Pours a black and opaque beer, with a small tan head that doesn't last long. Lacing on the glass is good.

Aromas have sweet milk chocolate, wood/oak, vanilla, dark ripened fruits and alcohol notes.

The taste is super rich with a big opening of malty sweetness, roasted grains and then vanilla and chocolates. Has quite an alcohol presence as well.

The mouthfeel is creamy on a thick body. It finishes in a very similar fashion to the taste -- malty, chocolate, woody, sweet and boozy.

Overall this is a very strong and delightful oak-aged stout; a real treat for sipping at the end of the day.

Big thanks to Cameron (TheBishopco) for bringing me this from my wants list!

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 04:45:33 | More by sommersb

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +12%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

"In this land we have defended from all things dark and cruel
Now we are defenseless in a land where dragons rule"
- Where Dragons Rule, by Dragonforce

Dark brown pour that sits black in my mighty chalice. Thin head collars after only a few sips but still manages some fine foam drapery.

Roasty, wood barrel, brown sugar coated raisin and molasses. That's what it smells like.

Hotsy totsy. This is the 2013 vintage so it's pretty hot, bordering on boozy giddiness. The bourbon flavor is obvious and appreciated. Brown sugar, dried raisin and very vanilla. That's what it tastes like.

While I still believe that I'll enjoy anything doused in bourbon this is one of the better bourbon beers out there IMO.

My first New Holland.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 12:15:18 | More by donkeyrunner

davey101

Connecticut

2.99/5  rDev -23.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

2013 vintage, 12 oz bottle into a tulip glass. Huge thanks to match1112!

A - Pours a clear brown but sits nearly black. If you squint hard enough you can see the bottom of the glass. Two fingers of light khaki foam settle down into thin edging. Looks a little thin, but a pretty basic stout appearance.

S - Oh boy. This is like a double oaked stout, only the base beer is average and the oak isn't exactly welcome. Its just an awkward mix of super intense wood, synthetic vanilla, and dry chocolate powder.

T - That dreadful aroma in liquid form! Lots of over the top oak, fake vanilla, and a dry chocolate that is missing any sweetness. This is a weird beer. Its not bad, but its not good. Its exactly in the middle. I mean I don't mind if I had another sip of this but the prospect isn't entirely attractive. Thin to medium body, meh carbonation.

O - Like a clothespin with a chocolate powder dusting. The barrel aging seemed forced and artificial and the base beer was probably not an all star to begin with. Happy to try this beer because now I know!

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 04:02:48 | More by davey101

macher0

Kentucky

4.06/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip glass.

A: Extremely dark brown. Barely translucent. No head, with a think copper rim. No lacing.

S: Malty. Some sweet bourbon/oak. Moderately fragrant.

T: Taste follows smell, but the malts are muted and the bourbon/oak really comes out. Very clean palette on end. No lingering taste. A little sweet from bourbon/oak, very pleasant. A strong alcohol presence.

M: Full bodied. Low carbonation. Not very smooth, seemingly due to high alcohol content.

O: This is a very good barrel-aged stout, especially for the price. The top dog barrel-aged stouts have this one beat, but for the price and availability, this is a wonderful substitution. I generally keep this around. This is a one-and-done beer (I can only drink one per session).

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 01:14:31 | More by macher0

jadejaws

Missouri

3.99/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Even though it is a high ABV beer and that is understood, the taste of alcohol is overbearing at first. Further in, the beer has a distinct flavor of bourbon and toffee. Excellent beer just know what you are getting into at 10% ABV. I would drink this (slowly) again and enjoy it very much.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 04:35:00 | More by jadejaws

alphaacid9000

Michigan

4.35/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Bottle from 2011

Pours almost black with an off white head.

Beautiful aroma. bourbon, oak, chocolate, figs, alcohol and raisins

Flavor is slightly sweet which is cut nicely with the bitterness. More oak and vanilla in the flavor than anything. Chocolate, toffee and caramel up front with bourbon and alcohol lingering in the finish

Overall - I love this beer. One of the best in its style and available year round.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 01:31:45 | More by alphaacid9000

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

3.98/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Vintage 2012 Bourbon Barrel
12oz served in a snifter.

A - Pours a dark brown almost black with highlighted edges. Small kahki head creates wispy patterns of micro thin bubbles.

S - Chocolate, vanilla, oak wood, toasted but sweet caramel/toffee, chocolate liqueur, bourbon comes out more as it warms.

T/M- Firm chocolate malts, wrapped in vanilla oak, cherry notes, caramel/toffee, maple sweetness, bourbon comes out later, earthy roasted bitterness, and bitter leafy green hops combine with a bourbon alcohol character on the finish.

M - Heavy side of medium body, creamy and fluffy carbonation, but the ethanol thins it out. A tad hot on the finish but seems to work.

I love how this beer shifts from a strong but rounded vanilla oak characeter at first but transitions into a serious bourbon character as it warms up. A very inviting aroma, and wonderfully melded flavors. This is to sipped on preferably around a fire.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 02:13:23 | More by StaveHooks

nickapalooza86

Wisconsin

4.39/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

I like to consider this my fall back when I dont want to drink any of my BCBS or I am out of CW BBS... But the fact is, this one can stand on its own and is no fall back, really good considering the year round easy to obtain status,

Pours about the darkest brown that it could be, almost black, finger of light tan head.

Smell is vanilla, toffee, caramel, oak

taste is much sweeter then most BA stouts, vanilla all over the place, bourbon, chocolate, oak, caramel and finishes with a almost milk stout lactose sweetness.

Mouthfeel is medium full and creamy, finishes a little dry for the style, but not offensively so.

This is one I buy 6 months before I plan on drinking, it is almost always hot right away, but at about 6 months to a year it can run with the big boys, New Holland deserves more credit for this one!

Fresh I would give it a solid 4.15, but with a little age I land quite a bit higher!

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 00:31:14 | More by nickapalooza86

bcm75

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle poured in a snifter.

One of New Holland's better offerings - sweet but not cloyingly so. Booze tastes are definitely there (can't be ignored). It isn't overpowering, but not quite as well balanced as some of the high-end brews in this genre.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 01:30:02 | More by bcm75

Rope

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a pilsner glass.

Appearance-
Dark, but not black. Thin white head, one finger.

Smell-
Oversweet vanilla, not hop presence.

Taste-
Good, a standard in barrel aged stouts. More sweetness than anything else.

Mouthfeel-
Thick, black oil like a good stout should have.

Overall-
Reliving and old beer, and it works as a drinkin' beer but nothing special.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 23:04:33 | More by Rope

stooge

Michigan

4.26/5  rDev +9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

2012 Vintage, aged approximately one year in refrigeration.

12 oz. bottle poured into a Duvel tulip glass.

Appearance- Dark brown, slightly opaque, with a very little head; laces well, with low carbonation.

Aroma- Not overly aromatic, subtle scents of vanilla, roasted malt, and oak present.

Taste- Slightly sweet with toffee, caramel and chocolate on the front end, followed by a nice vanilla and boozy oak finish. Hints of oak and bittersweet chocolate linger.

Mouthfeel- Very nicely balanced, perfect mouthfeel for the style.

Overall- Very enjoyable, perhaps not on the level of some of the more hyped barrel aged selections that are released in limited quantities, but well balanced and available year around. Dragon's Milk has become a staple in my beer fridge due to it's consistency and availability. Highly recommended!

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 05:31:48 | More by stooge

BB1313

Ohio

3.48/5  rDev -11%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5

I haven't had this one in awhile. 12oz bottle poured into a snifter. Pours black with barely any light getting through. There's a small off-white/kakhi head which fades and leaves solid lacing. Aromas are subtle, but very solid. The bourbon blends very nicely with the oak and milk chocolate. There's also hints of vanilla bean, butterscotch, and caramel malts. Flavors are very solid as well. The oak/wood seems to take control. The bourbon does blend very well with the flavors as well. Roasted dark chocolate gives this one a decent bitterness and the milk chocolate gives it a solid sweetness. There's a touch of heat, but it basically non-existent. Aromas and flavors almost seem one dimensional, but there's just enough to make in pretty interesting. Mouthfeel is very nice. It's very rich, velvety, fluffy, creamy. It has a good carbonation, but still remains very smooth. Like I mentioned, there's a dash of heat, but nothing overwhelming and doesn't effect the drinkability.

I'm glad I revisited this one. It's not a mind blower, but it's pretty solid. Gotta appreciate that it's a barrel-aged stout that's easy to find on shelves. Worth checking out..

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 21:16:34 | More by BB1313

stumac

Texas

4.41/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

So I'm chillin at home last night smoking a little herb and playing Battlefield 3, when I realize... I have a bottle of Dragon's Milk in my fridge!!! Busted it open. Poured it in a glass. This is my experience....

Pours up black as an ageless storm, small head of color I cant remember. Aroma is so easy and pleasant on my senses. Malty, warm, hint of earth. I sip. I go into a coma. I recover three weeks later. The flavor profile was electric. Big barrel smoothness, malty, oak, vanilla, vanilla, vanilla, some hops came by to see how I was doing but left shortly thereafter. The body was big, the carbo was smooth. Then, I awoke. Strange. No bottle in sight. No beer residue in my glass. Had I really drank the elixir...or was it all a dream...

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 16:27:35 | More by stumac

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.96/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.75

Served on tap in a snifter

Appearance- Served a deep brown colored brew with a tiny tan colored head. The head fades almost instantly leaving just scant lacing on the sides of the glass.

Smell – The aroma is of a sweeter caramel, milk chocolate, vanilla and a coffee smell with a strong presence of roasted malt. Mixed with these smells is a moderately strong oaky and bourbon smell, producing when combined with the sweeter and roastier smells, a very warming smelling brew.

Taste – The taste begins with a sweeter caramel and coffee flavor upfront. There is some milk chocolate in the taste upfront with both becoming stronger more toward the middle of the taste. The caramel fades slightly in the middle however, leaving a slightly drier flavor. This loss of caramel is replaced by some flavors of vanilla later in the taste. In the end a strong bourbon, boozy, and oak flavor come to the tongue. These are accompanied by some earthy hop flavors as well as an increase in the roasted malt and bitter coffee characteristics of the brew to leave a lightly bittered and roasty boozy warming taste on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the average side in terms of its creaminess with a carbonation level that is a bit on the higher side. The feel is a bit off as a creamier and thicker body would have really be much more appropriate for the boozy, oak, and roasted flavors of the brew with a lower carbonation level allowing all the darker and boozier flavors time to linger on the tongue.

Overall – A tasty and boozy stout. It has a great warming and oaky flavor with a slow drinking style, even with the slightly lesser mouthfeel quality, it is still fantastic.

Serving type: on-tap

03-26-2013 00:37:15 | More by Darkmagus82

mountdew1

New Hampshire

4.04/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured into an standard tumbler. Color was a almost completely opaque black, with a thin light brown head. A few occasional bits of carbonation rose from the bottom. Aroma was a slightly smokey acidic, almost reminded me of a smoked meat. Very small bit of sweetness in the very back of the smell. Flavor was mellow and sweet. A bit of brown sugar sweet upfront, finished with some lactose sweet. Neither was overpowering sickly sweet, but it has small bit of additional flavor beyond just the sweet. Felt great in the mouth. A hint of carbonation, with good chew, and plenty of mouth coating. Overall I felt the aroma to be a bit offputting, keeping it from ranking higher.

2012 Vintage 12oz

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 01:07:08 | More by mountdew1