Dragon's Milk Reserve - Brewers Select
New Holland Brewing Company

 

Serving: 16 oz. crowler canned today. No idea which vintage this is or the brewed on date, but it tastes fresh.

A: Pours pitch black. Initially pretty thin out of the can, but as it sits, gets a bit thicker and more opaque.

S: Fresh oak barrels, bourbon, vanilla, and a hint of soft chocolate.

T: Huge bourbon hit up front, followed by a drizzle of caramel, vanilla, and oak.

M: For a series that is notorious for being too thin, this one is super thick and chewy. It's not the thickest beer I've had, but it improves greatly on the other DM beers.

O: Shout out to Holiday Market in Royal Oak, MI for canning this. I don't know much about this beer, couldn't find too much online. I do know it's Dragon's Milk, but in a different, hand-picked barrel. I'm assuming it's a small batch? I would imagine it is, because this is the best Dragon's Milk I've ever had. I feel like with a ton of attention and care, they really nailed what Dragon's Milk is supposed to be. The mouthfeel is way better, the flavors pop more, and the barrel presence is way more noticeable. I'm sure if they scaled this up and distributed it, it wouldn't be the same (much like the hit KBS took with mass distro). But with this small batch twist, I have faith in the New Holland barrel program again.

O: No idea how you can acquire this, but if you somehow stumble across the chance, take it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On tap at 580 in Pittsboro. Especially easy to drink, for a 12% abv.

On-draught at Hopleaf Chicago for $6 per half pint.

12% ABV.

Silky soft khaki colour head disappears within 2 minutes, leaving no lacing. Body is a dark amber-black colour, with no visible yeast/lees within.

Aroma brings dark bread and chocolate malts. That's about it...No overt bourbon notes, no vanilla, no rich white oak. Hints of cream and marshmallow. Average aromatic intensity.

Taste & TEXTURE: Shallow and simple, lacking any elevating characteristics that would really separate it from the herd.

Hints of buried dark fruit. Chocolate malts. Dark malt sweetness.

Smooth, wet, well-carbonated, medium-bodied, thick, syrupy.

Average depth, duration, and intensity of flavour.

OVERALL: Enjoyable albeit shallow fare from a brewery I generally enjoy. I remember liking the ordinary Dragon's Milk more, but this was above average. Didn't get much in terms of barrel tones, which was the opposite of what I expected.

C+ / ABOVE AVERAGE

Aroma is bourbon heavy, with big caramel notes and a hint of vanilla. Reminiscent of marshmallows.

Flavor is laden with bourbon and oak, with vanilla prominence and enough roast to balance caramel sweetness.