New Holland The Poet - New Holland Brewing Company

rickyleepotts

Arizona

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

I don’t care what this beer tastes like, I love the label! It makes me think of Edgar Allen Poe. You know, the poet. Anyway, this beer has a sweet label and based on everything I have read, has a pretty sweet and roasty flavor to it. I like it when a beer is described as “creamy”. I don’t usually like stouts, unless I am in the mood, but this one is an oatmeal stout. Should be good. The oats help to bring down the bitterness of the beer.

In the Glass: This is a very dark beer that has a pretty weak lace. The foam on the top though is something to take note of. It has a thin layer of bubbles that makes me think it will have a hint of carbonation. But I wonder since this beer is supposed to be rich and creamy.

Nose: The nose gives me hints of dark chocolate and caramel. There is a bit of smokiness to it as well. I read somewhere that it has a “campfire” sort of smell. I can see where that comes from. I almost liken this to the nose you get on a properly aged bourbon.

Flavor: There are some serious bubbles at the beginning, and then the sweetness kicks in. When you swallow the dark fruity flavors start to creep up, and you are hit with the bitter aftertaste. I wouldn’t call this beer creamy, but the entire palate gets something here. It’s smooth, sans the bubbles, and that sweetness sticks around on the back of your palate.

Mouthfeel: The bubbles are the first thing you experience, but then the beer rounds itself well as it crosses the tongue and as you swallow. I wouldn’t say it reminds me of a soda… but it’s close. But when the sweet and dark aftertaste kicks in, the roundness fades and you are left with a smokey aftertaste that makes you want to start a fire.

Aftertaste: I have hinted at the aftertaste already, but it’s smooth, sweet, and almost reminds me of a dark chocolate aftertaste. Not good chocolate, like something you get for Christmas, but just decent chocolate that you pick up at the grocery store. It’s good though, and as the aftertaste fades, it’s OK to take another sip as this beer doesn’t have a very big ABV.

I have had this beer before, but now that I am writing to appreciate these beers, I can spend more time thinking about the overall enjoyment of it. I like it. I would order it, but under the right circumstances. It’s not the best stout I have ever had, but it does do a good stout justice. If you are looking for a good stout to have in the winter (wouldn’t suggest drinking this in the summertime) give this one a try. It’s also affordable as well.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 00:52:16 | More by rickyleepotts

InspectorBob

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +2%

05-21-2013 20:45:26 | More by InspectorBob

Jimbo4430

Virginia

4/5  rDev +2%

05-21-2013 00:46:28 | More by Jimbo4430

lilnicky068

Kentucky

3.5/5  rDev -10.7%

05-20-2013 19:03:53 | More by lilnicky068

Coduhhh

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +2%

05-20-2013 07:09:10 | More by Coduhhh

jakeox

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -4.3%

05-19-2013 02:03:47 | More by jakeox

NJB145

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +8.4%

05-19-2013 01:30:06 | More by NJB145

MatterOfOpinion

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +14.8%

05-16-2013 03:05:15 | More by MatterOfOpinion

HarmonMW

Michigan

4/5  rDev +2%

05-14-2013 22:58:16 | More by HarmonMW

The_Revisionist

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev +2%

05-13-2013 09:49:07 | More by The_Revisionist

Sark

Montana

3.81/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Appearance- pours with a slightly pebbled tan head of a half finger, deep black, dark red-brown when held to the light

Smell- great chocolate hints with toasted edge on the end, sweet toffee character

Taste- sweet caramel and toffee, a little toasted bitterness on the finish, not too much on the balance

Mouthfeel- full bodied, creamy smooth, fast fade

Overall- A well done oatmeal stout, the sweetness was left to go a little wild without the hop character to tone it down

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 04:01:06 | More by Sark

mikeburd1128

New Jersey

3.25/5  rDev -17.1%

05-12-2013 17:32:31 | More by mikeburd1128

tim28

Missouri

4/5  rDev +2%

05-11-2013 14:09:19 | More by tim28

olivermonster

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -4.3%

05-11-2013 10:31:17 | More by olivermonster

Bill235

Ohio

4/5  rDev +2%

05-10-2013 00:17:08 | More by Bill235

zonker17

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -4.3%

05-07-2013 01:05:07 | More by zonker17

anticipation23

Wisconsin

4.75/5  rDev +21.2%

05-06-2013 21:49:43 | More by anticipation23

Bubba569

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +14.8%

05-05-2013 17:28:23 | More by Bubba569

LuckyJohn

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev +8.4%

05-05-2013 05:07:41 | More by LuckyJohn

bob_d_j

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +8.4%

05-05-2013 02:36:36 | More by bob_d_j

MrBIP

Michigan

4/5  rDev +2%

05-04-2013 23:10:26 | More by MrBIP

Soomars

Georgia

3.75/5  rDev -4.3%

05-04-2013 04:32:51 | More by Soomars

capnamerica

Arkansas

4/5  rDev +2%

05-03-2013 01:15:46 | More by capnamerica

Lawl3ss

Texas

2.91/5  rDev -25.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75

Lightly chilled 12 oz. bottle into a 33 cl shaker. Bottling date 11.27.12.

Look- Pours a clear deep brown with a finger and a half of dense khaki head that falls quickly, very nice lacing.

Smell- Overwhelmingly smells of leather and tobacco smoke. Pungent, almost abrasive. As it warms, it takes on a more toasted coconut-cocoa aroma, which is nice, but I can't shake the feeling of a fifty-year-old biker bar. Not a deal breaker, but moderately off-putting.

Taste- Still a bit leathery, but feels appropriate. Dark roast coffee, charred hazelnuts, baker's chocolate. Light sweetness towards the end. Mellow, toasted biscuit finish.

Mouthfeel- Medium body, moderate carbonation. Cleaner than expected, light fullness on the back end. Not hefty enough for an oatmeal stout, could use some stick.

Overall- A bit lackluster for an oatmeal stout- misses on a few counts and feels less than cohesive. I wouldn't avoid it, but it's not something I'd purchase/order unless there was nothing else in the category available.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 04:15:56 | More by Lawl3ss

jbierling

Michigan

4/5  rDev +2%

04-26-2013 00:51:28 | More by jbierling