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

LoadedSchells

Minnesota

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

A- A lovely deep chocolate/cola brown with a creamy head that fades to a thin protective layer quickly.
S- Vanilla, bourbon, vanilla, bourbon, malt, bourbon, vanilla, and some molten caramelized brown sugar. Think creme brulee drowned in a luscious oaky whisky.
T- The aroma is directly proportionate to the taste. Big notes of vanilla simmered in caramel and strong oaky bourbon tones. Light cocoa hidden behind all of it as it warms but again, creme brulee drowned in delicious bourbon, minus the burn and robust punch. I could see where some people would think the bourbon is overkill but i happen to like bourbon and vanilla so this is right up my alley. Its more of a heavy strong ale than a stout as it claims to be but i don't care. There is some pound cake like sweet breadiness to it and a tinge of a spicy hop but the oak and vanilla crush them all to oblivion. A bit of warm alcohol is present but necessary to keep you honest.
M-From the cask this is like sipping warm caramel silk with a slick cream character, divine, I can't wait to see how a bottle of this stacks up compared to it's beer engine brethren.
O- If you fancy yourself a bourbon drinker and you prefer vanilla over chocolate when it comes to ice cream and you also happen to love craft beer, it is a must. It's definitely a sipper. I could see a dragon enjoying this after a long day of burning villages and evading arrows.

Serving type: cask

12-09-2011 05:33:10 | More by LoadedSchells

ColdPoncho

Ohio

3.73/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - pours a red/brown, lots of ruby colored light comes through, not just around the edges, and no head.

S - big smell, booze, vanilla, raisins, and woody notes.

T - Booze, wood, chocolate, warm vanilla. surprisingly little going on here.

M - astringent, dry, and surprisingly thin.

D - I simply don't like this very much. I wouldn't drink more. But it's not bad to drink.

Serving type: cask

02-09-2011 21:18:09 | More by ColdPoncho

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

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

On cask, via hand pump, @ Teresa's Next Door (Wayne, PA) on 2/6/11. Served in a tulip glass.

Pours black with a ¼ finger cap of creamy mocha head. This retains a nice robustness in the glass, throwing up a good bit of rich spotty lacing onto the sides of the glass. The aroma is a smooth mélange of molasses, chocolate, caramel, and a bit of dense dark roast in the nose. The barrel is fairly prevalent as well with a good bit of oak and vanilla character. This is quite rich yet still easy feeling in the nostrils.

The taste matches the aroma, with a silky smooth mix of cocoa, butterscotch, vanilla, and dark roast, and oak, which hangs on the finish. Man, this is smooth and delicious feeling on the palate, with the flavors seeming to literally melt in the mouth at times. The mouthfeel is fuller bodied but it just so easy and creamy here on cask; it feels somewhat lesser than that at times. There's maybe some general intensity to the flavors from the big ABV but other than that, there is no way that you would know that is 9-10%. Just no way. This is very dangerously drinkable for the size here on cask.

Wow, this was something. If you like your Dragon's Milk as a big beer with pronounced and assertive flavors that you can wrap your tongue around, I recommend sticking with the bottle or tap version of this. If you're looking for this with all of those flavors melded and smoothed out into a decadent and obscenely drinkable glass of beer, then I would wholeheartedly say that you must check this out on cask. You'll be glad you did.

Serving type: cask

02-09-2011 20:32:39 | More by Kegatron

Urbancaver

Ohio

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

Pours a dark brown with reddish hints. No real head to speak of. Smells oaky... Very oaky. Definitely a different animal than normal dragons milk. The tastes is a bit astringenty but mostly just strong and oaky. Thick mouthfeel and decent drinkabiliy for the alcohol percentage

Better warm...

Serving type: cask

02-09-2011 02:05:47 | More by Urbancaver

brew3crew

Ohio

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

On tap at the new holland restaurant

A-pitch black with a moca head that retains
S-oaky under tones. Smells very sweet
T-very smooth chocolate. Almost tastes like a mudslide or chocolate milk
M-light bodied and very pleasant
D-very drinkable. The smoothness really impresses me here

Serving type: cask

02-05-2011 18:55:55 | More by brew3crew

RockyTopHeel

North Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tasted at the CBC Chicago 2010 Rare Beer Tour at Small Bar Division Street.

Darkest brown - almost black - in color with little to no head and little carbonation. Strong notes of vanilla and bourbon in the nose. Taste is similar - lots of vanilla, lots of bourbon, and just a touch of balancing hops, with a sweet creaminess.

Good, potent, and enjoyable.

Serving type: cask

04-11-2010 00:00:09 | More by RockyTopHeel

saztheorybook

Louisiana

4.58/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had this on cask to New Holland; passed up some exotic pub-only beers to have it on cask, and I'm glad I did.

A: Jet black with only a little head and little retention or lacing. Surprising for a cask.
S: Pure vanilla bean and and boozy warm esters on the nose.
T: This is an insane and delicious demon on cask. It's almost like a vanilla vodka with a little bit of chocolate. There was not real hop character, but a lot of alcohol warmth. From front to back, though, this vanilla thing made cask Dragon's Milk a completely different experience.
M:Smooth and a little oily. Very nice. Almost like a three-quarters melted milkshake in the best way that can sound.
D: You have to remind yourself, hey, this is 9%. Slow down, enjoy it, and call it good.

Serving type: cask

05-25-2009 12:43:32 | More by saztheorybook

nhudson

Alabama

3.78/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Was at HopCat in Grand Rapids a few weeks ago and came across this lovely beer. Bartender served it to me in a tulip glass from a cask.

a- Very dark brown to black in color with ruby highlights if you hold it up to the light. Tan head that goes away really fast with very little lacing in the glass.
s- The aroma of this beer is what really attracted me. Coffee, Chocolate, Oak and Alcohol. As the beer warmed up the oak and alcohol really sines through though.
t- What I tasted from the beer was a malty oakiness with alcohol. The beer was very hot and the alcohol is very much present in this one.
m- Light carbonation due to the fact that the cask had been tapped for a few days. The beer has a medium mouthfeel that kind of lingers around after its down the hatch.
d- I doubt I could really have more than one every few hours. This is a very good beer I just think the alcohol in it was a bit much and came through too much to drink more than one in one sitting.

Serving type: cask

05-15-2009 14:17:49 | More by nhudson

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.43/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Out of a firkin at UJ's on the Manatawny last weekend.

The beer pours a dark black brown color with good head retention and lacing. The nose is uncomplicated, but is still very nice, consisting of noticeable bourbon, coffee, chocolate and cherry vanilla. The flavors on the palate replicate the nose, but in this case the whole is superior to the sum of the parts. Everything blends in together so well, and the flavor profile is enhanced by an incredibly decadent, rich, soft as silk, mouthfeel. This beer is increadily soft and creamy, and has a long finish. The alcohol in this beer is barely noticeable, though one gets a bit of a warming sensation after a while. Nevertheless, delicious as this beer is, it would be entirely too easy to drink quite a few of these at a sitting, something that would probably not be a good idea.

Very impressive.

Serving type: cask

02-25-2009 20:15:32 | More by johnmichaelsen

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