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

AlexanderCsamaj

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I love this beer. It is the most exciting beverage I have enjoyed in some time. One of my professors, Dr. Crandall, brought me to the light and now I can see in the dark.

It is complex, smooth, and potent. It opens with a velvet oaky wave of flavor and finishes with a profound mouthful of vanilla butter.

Each sip offers something new. Even if you don't appreciate this style, this beer is worth sampling. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2011 00:11:42 | More by AlexanderCsamaj

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

BrauKilR

Michigan

4.75/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Malt sweetness. Dark fruit ... Prunes, dried cherries. Vanilla. Hints of caramel. A hint of roast, or toffee. Biscuity, perhaps. Alcohol, but blended pleasingly into the mix to make for a Port wine-like aroma. Clearly a wood aged beer. No hops. No diacetyl.
A: Very dark brown, nearly opaque with garnet hilites. Creamy, khaki head that masses reasonably well, and then slowly sibsides to a thin creamy film to cover the liquid and stick fleetingly to the glass. Swirl it and legs walk briskly down the glass.
F: As with the aroma, sweet up front with dried cherries, prunes, and alcohol warmth. Chocolate.The wood comes through in strong vanilla. A hint of caramel. Mild roast. Bitterness to keep the finish from being cloying. No burnt. No hop flavor. No diacetyl.
M: Full bodied and chewy, with just enough attenuation and carbonation zest to keep it from weighing too heavily on the tongue. Finishes nearly like a cognac.
I: This is a very big, complex beer and worth every penny my brother-in-law paid for it in the 22 oz bottling. However, I expected more assertive roast flavors in a stout, and then, as an American stout, more hop assertiveness. I don't think barrel aging changed anything in this regard and, therefore, considering the relative absence of roast and coffee, couple that to the prominent dark fruit and chocolate notes, and this beer tends more toward a Baltic porter in my mind. That said, I too can "drink fifteen Heinekens," but I've been enjoying this beer for nearly an hour. Rather than classify it, I recommend you buy it and enjoy it for what it is, a very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2011 21:25:27 | More by BrauKilR

walteez

Missouri

3.45/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

It pours dark brown on the verge of black with almost no head but some big bubbles here and there. The smell is very sweet with some chocolate, hints of vanilla and definite alcohol. As it warms I get a bit of breadiness in the nose as well.

It's very sweet and boozy up front. I get a little roasty malt and chocolate mid taste with a very bourbon, vanilla finish. It's quite boozy on the end and leaves the burn of alcohol lingering in my throat. It's quite viscous which I expect from this style. I even expect to taste the alcohol but it suffers from not having enough flavors to balance the alcohol.

I've had this beer on tap before at places with a "not so great" beer selection and it will do in a pinch but I don't think I'll go out of my way to purchase a bottle again.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2011 03:26:20 | More by walteez

jakeyb

Michigan

3.6/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The Dragon's Milk Oak Barrel Stout from New Holland definitely lives up to it's name: it's intense creamy flavor blends beautifully with the mocha/vanilla aroma and nutty finish. Very smooth for a stout, probably due in no small part to its oak-barrel aging. Though it carries a worthy ABV of 8.5%, it's presence is barely perceptible. Heavy mouthfeel, with a slight sticky-sweet taste left lingering on your lips. My only complaint is that I got almost no head with very little lacing even with a vigorous pour. Not an incredibly complex beer, but a pleasant desert-like drink that pairs nicely with these cold Michigan winters.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2010 03:08:27 | More by jakeyb

GavDomDadGH

Michigan

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

A - A nice dark brown fading to darker brown. Small head that sticks and laces very nicely

S - A nice mixture of bourbon, vanilla and molasses

T - The taste does it for me. An awesome blend of molasses and vanilla. Not to be confused with a sweet beer! There is a mild bitterness to this beer

Overall I really enjoy one or two of these after a hard day of work.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2010 00:20:01 | More by GavDomDadGH

jss79

Maryland

3.03/5  rDev -22.5%
look: 4 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Appearance - very dark black with a slight head and faint carbonation.
Smell - initially a very soggy wet rainy smell from aging in the oak barrels, followed by hints of vanilla and chocolate.
Taste - earthy chocolate with initial sweet giving way to a more rounded bitter after taste. A short and less intense finish that did not linger very long.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2011 02:27:33 | More by jss79

ChrisH1024

Ohio

3.98/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bomber into a glass. Good head, does not disappate, good lacing down the glass. Smells of chocolate and bourbon with hints of oak. The bourbon hits in the beginning with a chocolate and oak finish that hits dry on the back off the tongue. The beer is creamy yet carbonated and has a great feel. Overall, a good beer that is worth buying again, but still leaves me wanting more.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2012 23:14:48 | More by ChrisH1024

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

hopstorm

Indiana

1.55/5  rDev -60.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 1

I really think they should have to tell you if the "oaken barrels" they use had whiskey or bourbon in them first. Only because thats all I could smell, and all I could taste. When I purchase a beer, generally, I'd like that beer to taste like beer. Not hard liquor. This is one of those for people who can appreciate bourbon-esque like beers. Reminds me alot of Goose Island Bourbon County Stout. Which I also found dreadful.
Poured from a 22 oz bottle. The look was pretty much what I expected, dark and almost inviting. The smell made me cringe, straight bourbon-whiskey-alcohol. Then the taste. I just plain don't like whiskey, and this is all I tasted. For what it is, the mouthfeel was the only thing this has going for it. Light for the ammount of alcohol, and if I liked it, I could sip it all night long. Drinkability is pretty much a 0. But it only goes down to 1. Says on the bottle that this is New Hollands "crown jewel".... Well, give me those rocks and stones over there please.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2009 03:22:28 | More by hopstorm

HIFF

Indiana

3.43/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured a dark stout like color with a nice thick foamy head. Nice welcoming aroma of vanilla, toffee, and oak. Strong ale flavor with hints of the oak barrel in which it was aged. Also tasted tones of vanilla and roasted barley. This was a thick ale almost stout like. I would only want to drink one or two of these in a sitting. Overall a very complex brew and one that I look forward to trying again in the future.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2008 15:03:15 | More by HIFF

KuehneBe

Minnesota

4.78/5  rDev +22.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

My first and (so far) only 5/5 beer. So I figured it would be a good one with which to start reviewing beer on this site.

Poured into a New Belgium snifter from a 12 fl. oz. bottle.

A - An opaque, deep dark brown that borders on pitch black. Very pleasant looking, creamy head, which disappears rather quickly but leaves a nice creamy surface.

S - Equal parts dark chocolate, malt and "typical" stout, I'd say. A pretty good indication of what's to come.

T - Dear god, this is magical! The strongest flavor is that of gloriously dark and bitter chocolate. I think I am getting a slight hint of coconut, as well, which fits in perfectly. The flavor from the bourbon barrel-aging gives this beer a very nice "woody," almost winey note, the malt mixes very well with the chocolate flavors. The finish slightly hints at both the bourbon and alcohol content, but the sweetness hides the ABV very well.

M - Just the right amount of carbonation, and a nice, full-bodied feel. Very satisfying!

O - I only started drinking stouts recently, but had I heard of this beer sooner, man I would have started much, much earlier! This is divine.

One bottle will last you quite a while, as it is best sipped slowly. I'd recommend drinking it slightly below room temperature. I enjoyed mine with a piece of buttered French bread, which was a fantastic combination.

At $17 for a 4-pack rather spendy, but without a doubt worth it. Best enjoyed on special occasions, and/or shared with a friend.

Wholeheartedly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2011 06:56:13 | More by KuehneBe

RepMichigan

Michigan

3.88/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass.

A: minimal to no head, opaque body

S: Smells of booze right off, but you do gets hints of coffe, chocolate and toffe

T: Chocolate and coffe as i smelled in the boquet alcohol is apparent but not overwhelming

M: a little thin i thought, maybe should have been more creamy

O: honestly the first time I had this I was disgusted, tried it again and now I love it.
Goes to show that ya gotta try everything twice!

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2012 00:35:23 | More by RepMichigan

Gladius270

Illinois

3.33/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Beer pours deep brown with about a 1/2 inch tan head that laces nicely and persists in a ring around the glass. Where light makes it through, it appears deep ruby red.

S- The smell hit me as soon as I took the cap off of the bottle. First and foremost, I get a boozy smell that reminds me alot of scotch. Some nutty coffee tries to come through, but is mostly beaten back by this scotch-like smell.

T- Much like the nose, booze dominates the taste right up front. There is a taste that develops that I describe almost like the char you would find on a burnt steak, then ends with dark roast coffee.

M- Immediately causes a mild sting to the tongue, which I like. Feels fairly light in the mouth, I think as a result of the stinging/numbing I feel from it. Nice warming feeling that results from the ABV in this one.

O- This beer would be absolutely fantastic if there were a lower ABV version. The booze takes center stage here and is too much at times. If the underlying flavors didn't have to compete in this one, I would rate it much higher.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2012 01:30:59 | More by Gladius270

fishacura

Pennsylvania

2.25/5  rDev -42.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

I was sadly disappointed in this one.

A: Poured well a deep rich color but with absolutely no head. I knew I was in trouble...was expecting a rich thick head but got probably a 1/16 inch that fizzled quickly.

S: Smell was malt and chocolate. Was thinking maybe I was being too harsh.

T: IMHO, terrible. Let me stress I am a malty beer lover and do not like overly hoppy beers like IPAs. This was like drinking maple syrup however.

Just not very impressed with this one at all.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2010 15:06:43 | More by fishacura

foggymountainman

Michigan

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

just hanging out at work, (wine bar), tasting for a possible on-tap brew. 22 oz brown bomber and good people. the pour was smooth but little head, a little lacing on the glass, a brew-tiful brown. the taste is nice and malty, a hint of raisin? yum. i could drink the whole 22 oz, but not with heidi about.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2010 22:45:54 | More by foggymountainman

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

madamebeer

Michigan

4.53/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance- Flows out with a nice dark caramel tint, has almost no head, but leaves a small lingering ring along the edge of the glass

Smell- very malty with a hint of oak, sweet with a tinge of the bite of alcohol

Taste- Surprisingy sweet and malty with yet again that bite of alcohol. but it isn't in anyway unpleasant. It has an aftertaste of chocolately blis

Mouthfeel- the only thing i don't like about about this beer is the dry feeling it leaves in my mouth. But otherwise it is very smooth and goes down like a dream

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2010 20:04:38 | More by madamebeer

MikeCactusGordon

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Lizardville tapped a fresh keg for Cleveland Beer Week.

The bourbon was a little rough tasting compared to other well-done barreled aged stouts I've had. A little on the boozy side (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). Overall, I felt the beer lacked balance. I'd really would have liked to let this one age a bit and see if that changed my opinion on it - it very well could.

I would not recommend going out of your way for this. In the region, there are many Stouts worth your time and this is low on the list. The more I try New Holland's stuff, the less impressed I get. Sorry to hate, but their beers just don't do it for me.

Edit: 5/11/2013 Revisited this beer again and it was a little better than I remember. Still not something I would go out of my way for, but if it's around I'll keep trying it.

Serving type: on-tap

10-26-2012 13:52:50 | More by MikeCactusGordon

HoppyHomo

New Jersey

3.53/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

I picked up this beer right after finishing the Game of Thrones books. Anything to do with Dragons I'm a fan of.While im not the biggest fan of Oak aged beers, i have to say that this is a good tasting beer.

I would compare this beers blackness coming out of the Bottle like oil found on Jeb Clampetts farm. The beer pours a dark black with a light head.

The first sip is smooth, and at 10% alc its not over powering. It really is something to behold; halfway through the bottle and im already feeling it. But then again im kind of a pussy.

Overall while not being a huge fan of barrel aged stouts i have to say this was pretty impressive.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2012 02:33:14 | More by HoppyHomo

HoppyHachey

Minnesota

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

A: Real dark, even with light up to it you can't see through. Seems to have a sling hue of red coloring showing when up to light. It created a small head with little lacing.

B: It seems to have a roasted smell to it. Almost smells like some of the smoked beers I've had.

T: Mild yet flavorful taste. Has more of a roasted flavor. I like it.

MF: Smooth feel, tingles my taste buds. Drinks very easy.

Over I like this beer fairly well. I've definitely had better but for the price, I'd buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2011 23:25:06 | More by HoppyHachey

tyleeis

Wisconsin

3.43/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance is dark, can't really see through it. Really thin tan head, roughly 1/4 of an inch.

Smells sweet, slight chocolate, and a little booze. Something reminds me of whiskey...can't put my finger on it.

Taste is sweet, little fruity(raisins), alcohol at the end and again an aftertaste that reminds me of whiskey-like a hint of coconut? A bit boozy for me.

Mouthfeel is nice. Slightly milky with light carbonation, coats your teeth but not too chewy.

Overall it wasn't bad, but not a favorite. I tend to like milk stouts more so that may be part of the reason I wasn't blown away. It's unique and I'd drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 23:47:51 | More by tyleeis

emeline

Rhode Island

4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Vintage 2011. Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a tulip. (I know, it's not the way BA recommends, but after smelling it, I knew it needed more surface area than a pint.)

Smells like raisins and oak and bourbon. Definitely a sharp aroma, warning you about the weight of the beer.

Pours with a small, milk-chocolate head that subsides almost instantly. Dark like cola, but still slightly transparent in the light. Leaves a fluid, oil-like lacing on the surface throughout. Very little lacing on the glass.

Taste of raisins, molasses, oak, and, finally, bourbon. Subtle cherry and other dark fruit flavors come through as well. Tart, dry finish, perfect for a barrel aged beer. No carbonation on the tongue, just the tang of the barrel.

This is the third time I've had this beer, and there's a reason I keep coming back to it. It is complex, and it changes and develops as it warms and develops on the tongue. It goes well with many different foods, but could overwhelm lighter fare. My mom, who really hates beer, actually likes this one!

Overall, a very good barrel aged beer. Definitely worth a try.. or three...

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 23:46:19 | More by emeline

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

Jeronimo

Michigan

3.13/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Purchased 22oz bottle at B&B liquors in Grand Rapids, MI for $6.99. Poured at room temperature (65 F) into a pint glass. Having serious head control problems, I havn't even poured an ounce of beer in and my glass is full of foam that will not die. As I add more it continues to foam out of control. I have never seen anything like this. Now it looks like a icecream float. After waiting 5 minutes for it to stabilize a bit, I get my first sip.

Appearance: Very dark, nearly opaque, a dim glow makes it through the sides of the glass as I hold it up to the light. A tan fluffy head lingers for a long time after the beer is poured. Thick clumps of lacing stick to the sides of the glass. I have never seen head like this.

Smell: Very aromatic, tart, sweet, spicy, a hint of wood.

Taste: First flavor I notice is a bold tartness, sweet but not oversweet, beginning to taste the malt as it washes back, a trace of hops on the sides, balanced grape-skin bitterness, lingering tart-bitter finish.

Mouthfeel: Thinner than I expected for a 9% beer, going flat b/c of the foam I think.

Drinkability: Aside from the initial difficulties, not a bad beer, I would like to try one chilled and see if that fixes this. Maybe I have a bad bottle, Im gonna read other posts after this and see how they describe this. I expected something richer and less bubbly. Oh jeez this beer is a hazard, it just foamed all over the place as I refilled, or attempted to refill my glass. gotta wipe down the keyboard. I have a hard time imagining this is what the brewer intended. tasted alright though.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2006 20:19:00 | More by Jeronimo