Had the tripel and had concerns. I have no such concerns this evening.
I could make this a short matter and tell you this is like chocolate fudge cake laced with bourbon. Is that so bad? Can't we be happy enough with that? Apparently not. There is coffee, dark plum, dark and milk chocolates as well as heat on the nose. It is a bit boozy at 8.5% which, for a milk stout, makes it incongruous. But I like it. By the faceful, there are all those flavours as well as rich vanilla as well as a little oak plank. Dessert. It's a bit like a bossed up version of that Belizian stout I had the other day. Bigger but still soft body. Moreish but never sessionable.
$7.99 from the shop at the Dark Horse compound. Plenty of BAer respect.
Instant Stylistic Update: I got an email from New Holland and it seems I got deeked out by the name:
Hey Alan,
Thanks for reviewing Dragon's Milk on your blog. One bit of correction, however, is that despite its name, Dragon's Milk is not a milk stout. We refer to it simply as a barrel-aged stout. The term "Dragon's Milk" is a centuries old Scottish term referring to private stock held for royalty, etc., and is not intended to imply a specific brewing technique or style. (ie lactose)
I thought I'd offer the clarification, thanks for blogging about the beer.
Cheers,
Fred Bueltmann
Beervangelist & Partner
New Holland Brewing Company
www.newhollandbrew.com
So there you go. It is still yum.
Comments
Alan - October 28, 2009 8:44 AM
Eric Asimov in the NYTs interestingly discusses stouts this morning and displays both an adherence to style and a preference for things that taste like each other.
Mikey - October 28, 2009 12:59 PM
Very interesting. For some reason I thought this was an imperial stout when I bought it and when I opened it last night and went to Rate Beer to rate it, I noticed it was listed as an English Strong Ale. Beer Advocate however listed it as an American Strong Ale. New Holland did not list its style on their website so I was a bit confused. To be honest, I'm not sure of the exact differences between and American and English Strong ale but I'm impressed with New Holland for getting back to you.
Alan - October 28, 2009 1:36 PM
I thought it was an imperial milk stout!
But I was wrong. And I would not call it a "strong ale" as that has a certain implication beyond being an ale that is strong.
And then I realized my wrongness was irrelevant to the fact I just liked the beer.
Allen KD - October 30, 2009 8:32 PM
I recently moved away from Michigan to Colorado. I really appreciate the Dragon's Milk. You nailed it on the head. It's richness is like eating a decadent piece of chocolate cake that you just want to savor.
If you haven't already, you've absolutely got to go to Founders in Grand Rapids. I have not tried anything there I didn't like. Monday is cheap pint night ($3). Their Centennial IPA or Breakfast Stout. That's great stuff.
Alan - October 30, 2009 9:10 PM
We have a mule train for Founders set up for we Royalists at the eastern end of Lake Ontario. Anyone who travels there has to fill the trunk. Sad thing is how infrequently it happens.
the longest day of the year - November 8, 2009 10:52 PM
Allen KD has it right - I am also a MI native in CO.
Dragon's Milk is among the most delicious beers I have tasted... close to the Founder's Breakfast Stout or Kentucky Breakfast Stout. But one of my best friends is the head cellarman of Founder's so maybe I am a bit bias.
Get your hands on the Dragon's Milk, and some Founders and you will be happy happy beer drinkers.
Going to MI for Christmas, Alan, filling the drunk with beer!
Alan - November 8, 2009 11:16 PM
...and you don't even have to deal with border guards on the way back.