New Holland Dragon’s Milk Review

New Holland Brewing

Holland, Michigan

Newhollandbrew.com

11% abv

31 IBUs

Vintage 2014

Bourbon Barrel Stout

First Brewed in 2001

Appearance: this defines black is beautiful; perfect black body with a two finger creamy tan head; some spotty lacing; I don’t see any syrupy legs dripping on the glass with each sip

Aroma: the nose even feels creamy; creamy vanilla-honey bourbon; dark roasted malts

Flavors: smooth, smooth, smooth; nothing bold here, not complex, pretty straight forward Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout; dark roasted malts; smooth silky coffee; nice touch of vanilla bourbon and sweet dark caramel; hint of toasted oak on the back; creamy 75% like dark chocolate;

Mouthfeel: this Imperial Stout is all about the mouthfeel; smooth, semi-syrupy feel, creamy, no carbonation; just inside the full bodied range; just a hint of alcohol warmth on the finish; too easy to drink for 11% abv

Say good-bye to the Santa candles from my parents house
they have to be 30 years old
I burnt them up tonight in my cigar lounge

To the Point: for an Imperial Stout I would expect no carbonation and a creamy feel; I would expect a little more syrupy feel and alcohol warmth; I would expect better syrupy legs dripping on the glass; I would expect bolder notes on the flavor; but, I still like this Stout for it is easy to drink; Don’t forget that it is still a sipper with that 11% abv; for the cigar smoker this should pair well with most cigars; I don’t think this will overpower a milder cigar but, still pairs best with a fuller cigar; I'm going with 88% for a B+

New Holland Beerhive Tripel Review

New Holland Brewing

Holland, Michigan, USA

Newhollandbrew.com

The High Gravity Series

Ale Brewed with Honey & Ginger

8.47% abv

19 Plato

Vintage 2013

$8.99 1pt 6oz bottle

I have never had this before so, I won’t be able to see how it has aged. 

Appearance: dark golden honey body with a thin off white head that did … nothing;

Aroma: smell like Canada Dry Ginger Ale with a honey backbone;

Flavors: fairly firm ginger spice followed by a somewhat earthy honey note;

Mouthfeel: sweet all around; good ginger spice; mild carbonation; medium body; dirty earthy honey

To the Point: I don’t know if it’s due to its age but, the dirty earthy tone is not hitting me right; I think this honey & ginger idea might work more for a soda than an ale; I don’t think I can finish this bottle the sweetness is getting to me and I have only had about a quarter of this bottle.

Rye Hatter Review

Rye P.A.

New Holland Brewing

Holland, Michigan, USA

Newhollandbrew.com

Cleaning out my parents house I found
this American Graffiti album

5.5% abv

52 IBUs

1pt 6oz bottle

$12.99

Appearance: soft hazy copper body with a one finger

Aroma: nice rye nose with a solid twist of citrus – the citrus reminds me of pink grapefruit

Flavors: pretty much follows the nose; sweet citrus meat; spicy rye; dry hop bitterness; caramel malt undertone;

Mouthfeel: lightly sweet; dry bitterness lingers on the aftertaste; low carbonation; flannel like in texture;

To the Point: I really like this Hatter; a good hearty rye p.a.; worth trying; a must try if you like rye ales; 

Black Hatter
Michigan Awesome Hatter IPA

White Hatter

Imperial Hatter IPA

Oak Aged Hatter IPA

Mad Hatter IPA

Black Hatter IPA Review

New Holland Brewing

Holland, Michigan, USA

Newhollandbrew.com

Black India Pale Ale

2014 Vintage

5.07% abv

67 IBUs

1pt 6oz bottle

$12.99 a bottle

Appearance: what else? It’s black with a one finger tan head that leaves some lacing on the glass

Aroma: dark roasted grains and aromatic hoppy nose – hint of floral/herbal – seems to be a hint of mineral water

Flavors: nice robust style; the dark roasted notes come through; assertive bittering from the aromatic hops;

Mouthfeel: medium-low carbonation; fine fizzy feel; firm bitterness; roasted notes early, mid, and aftertaste; lingering general bitterness;

To the Point: if you are looking for bold citrus – keep looking; nice aromatic hops with a solid robust style from the roasted grains; when the roasted grains and the aromatic hops work together Black IPAs are pretty good; they are still not a favorite in my book but, I am liking them more and more when I get a good one – and this is a very good Black IPA; 

Hatter Series – Click on the links below - (I'll add the link when posted)

White Hatter IPA
Michigan Awesome Hatter IPA

Rye Hatter IPA

Imperial Hatter IPA

Oak Aged Hatter IPA

Mad Hatter IPA

Michigan Awesome Hatter Review

New Holland Brewing

Holland, Michigan, USA

Newhollandbrew.com

Michigan grown IPA

Malts and hops grown in Michigan

5.8% abv

55 IBUs

1pt 6oz bottle

I don’t have a price

Appearance: lightly misty; deep amber body with a one finger head; good staying power; half way done and there still is a ¼ inch head floating; some lacing; an easy two finger head on the second half of the bottle

Aroma: light nose overall; lightly toasted grains and a touch of dusty citrus peal

Flavors: nice touch of bittering with a hint of citrus meat; toasted grains; and that’s it

Mouthfeel: light fine carbonation for little fizzy feel; medium body overall; moderate bittering; simple;

To the Point: an okay tasting simple IPA; I can’t say that I would look to buy this again; it is easy to drink; this beer would be good with bar food; 

Hatter Series – Click on the links below

Black Hatter IPA

White Hatter IPA

Rye Hatter IPA

Imperial Hatter IPA

Oak Aged Hatter IPA

Mad Hatter IPA

Imperial Hatter IPA Review

Imperial Hatter India Pale Ale

New Holland Brewing

Holland, Michigan, USA

Newhollandbrew.com

2014 Vintage

9.3% abv

1pt 6oz bottle

$9.99 a bottle

76 IBUs

19 plato

The High Gravity Series

Appearance: misty copper body with a one finger off white head that didn’t stick around long; spotty lacing on the first pour; good sticky lacing once I poured the rest of the bottle into the glass

Aroma: piney, citrus nose

Flavors: light sweet citrus on the front followed by a prickly pine; white grapefruit bitterness; toasted multi-grain bread;

Mouthfeel: medium-full body; fine carbonation; peppery citrus on the back and finish; prickly feel on the palate; light alcohol warmth which is surprising with a 9.3 abv

To the Point: a nice hearty Imperial IPA; this 2014 vintage seems fairly simple which is not a bad thing; nice to try

Hatter Series – Click on the links below (I'll add when they are posted)

Black Hatter IPA

White Hatter IPA

Rye Hatter IPA

Michigan Awesome IPA

Oak Aged Hatter IPA

Mad Hatter IPA

New Holland Oak Aged Hatter IPA Dinner Review

New Holland Brewing

Holland, Michigan, USA

NewHollandBrew.com

7.12% abv

62 IBUs

$4.99 a bottle

1pt 6oz bottle

Ale Aged in Oak Kentucky Barrels

Vintage 2014

Appearance: burnt amber body; copper if you will; clear; one finger off-white head; light on the lacing

the clarity started off a bit misty and then turned clear

Aroma: aromatic hops; toasted grains; faint oak; light bouquet overall

Flavors: prickly hops, pine like; light spicy hops; little oak wood; toasted grains; faint sweet grains;

Mouthfeel: seems a little thin on the delivery; hops on the mid; toasted notes on the back; light fine carbonation; very dry; moderately bitter; dry spicy toasted notes linger;

To the Point: what did they age in those Kentucky barrels? 7-up; kept waiting for the bourbon or whisky notes; just visited their website and they don’t say anything about it being bourbon or whisky – just "oak wood barrels" – then that is what I got out of it – a woody note; an interesting twist to this IPA

I paired this with an 8oz Filet Mignon medium-rare, black rice with a few applewood smoked shrimp left over from last nights dinner (Mad Hatter Dinner Review) and beans with carrots.  OHHHH so good!  I really like the black rice with a Filet. 

The Oak Aged Hatter paired nicely with my Filet.
Click here to read the Mad Hatter IPA dinner review

Hatter Series – Click on the links below

Black Hatter IPA

Michigan Awesome IPA

White Hatter IPA

Rye Hatter IPA

Imperial Hatter IPA

Mad Hatter IPA

Mad Hatter IPA Dinner Review

New Holland Brewing

Holland, Michigan, USA

NewHollandBrew.com

I planned a Grilled Shrimp dinner to pair with my Mad Hatter IPA

Grilled shrimp, red pepper, portabella mushroom, green zucchini

Shrimp: Olive oil, lemon sea salt on one side, lime sea salt on the other, basil, ground white pepper.

Veggies: Olive oil, ground mix pepper mill, Italian seasoning

Grill with applewood chips, bed of rice – today I am using black rice and sprinkle with Asiago cheese.

I wish you could taste this. 

This dish is perfect with the Mad Hatter IPA.

Appearance: deep amber body with a bubbly two finger egg shell colored head

Aroma: floral nose coming from the hops, dry dusty grains

Flavors: the ‘dry-hopped’ style is coming through with notes of floral and citrus floral; dusty grains, toasted barley;

One last bite

Mouthfeel: active carbonation keeps it lively; dry from start to finish; moderately bitter, nice toasted malts add a hint of sweetness under the floral notes,

To the Point: this is a nice tasting IPA; worth trying; easy to drink; pairs well with seafood;

Hatter Series – Click on the links below

Black Hatter IPA

Michigan Awesome Hatter IPA

White Hatter IPA

Rye Hatter IPA

Imperial Hatter IPA

Oak Aged Hatter IPA

New Holland The Poet Oatmeal Stout: Review

New Holland Brewing

Holland, Michigan, USA

Newhollandbrew.com

5.2% abv

37 IBU’s

12 bottle

Appearance: black body with maybe a one finger tan head that leaves some light lacing on the glass

Aroma: kind of a mellow nose for a stout; some roasted malt; light coffee; maybe it’s the oatmeal that mellows the bouquet

Flavors: roasted notes; mild charred oak; light-medium roast coffee; 60% like dark chocolate; light hop bitterness

Mouthfeel: a nice semi-creamy style; soft carbonation; light-moderate roasted notes; light-moderate bitterness – that is way I called it 60% like dark chocolate in the flavor; aftertaste: lightly roasted, light sweetness, mild bitterness; medium body;

To the Point: the oatmeal makes this an elegant stout to enjoy; a very easy drinking stout; flavors have a nice depth; the light hops keep things in balance; must buy

Cabin Fever brown ale: Review

New Holland Brewing

Holland, Michigan, USA

Newhollandbrew.com

6% abv

12 oz bottle

Brown ales or lagers are not my favorite style but, I am always drawn to them.  I think I always expect more out of them.  I have to remind myself that they are just a lager with some roasted notes and usually lightly roasted at that.  Brown lagers are nice as a session beer sitting around the ol’ campfire on a winter day. 

Appearance: brown with chestnut highlights and a light tan head

Aroma: toasted bread, dark fruit that reminds me of raisins,

Flavors: toasted wheat and rye bread, lightly roasted notes swirl around a light caramel malty tone. 

Mouthfeel: low-moderate carbonation, smooth, dark lager like, light roasted notes on the aftertaste.

My Strength Rating: 4 – mild-medium overall; light aftertaste,

To the Point: a tasty brown lager as far as brown lagers go.  For the cigar smoker, like me, this Brown should pair well with almost any type of cigar. 

Ichabod Pumpkin Ale: Review

New Holland Brewing Co.

Newhollandbrew.com

Kitchen.newhollandbrew.com

Bottle size: 12 oz

5.2% abv

12.5 plato

$11.99 a six pack

From Super Fine Wine & Liquor Store in Canton Michigan.

Appearance: dirty penny with a fluffy tan head that leaves lots of lacing. 

Aroma: Pumpkin spice candle, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, pumpkin bread like.

Flavors: spiced pumpkin bread profile,

Mouthfeel: smooth, low-moderate carbonation, spice on the back of the palate and for a lingering aftertaste. 

My Strength Rating: 5 – a good medium strength ale

To the Point: a tasty spiced pumpkin ale.  Perfect for that cool autumn day.  New Holland recommends to pair this with roasted poultry. 

I am reviewing this beer on October 4 and the Detroit Tigers are playing the Stankies (Yankees) in the 4 game of the playoff series.  I think I’ll pair this beer with a quality La Gloria Cubana Artesanos de Miami.

Full Circle by: New Holland Brewing

Kolsch-style beer

4.9% abv

12 oz bottle

New Holland Brewing

Holland, Michigan, USA

Newhollandbrew.com

Here is what they have to say on their web site about this beer.

“The soft, well-rounded malt character, light hop profile and crisp finish bring us back around to the familiar tastes of classic, thirst quenching beer.”

Okay, a little ying and yang going on with the malts and hops but, nothing worth writing home about.  The flavors seem a little muted.  Nothing really standing out here.  The grassy, grainy taste seems dusty.  The hops are not distinct. 

I poured this beer with the bit of sediment on the bottom of the bottle and the body looks hazy (it’s clear if you do not pour the sediment in) gold.  It has a nice white head.  The aroma is light with a grainy nose. 

Drinking this beer by itself was boring at best.  For the second bottle I lit up a Padilla 68 Robusto Cigar and the beer seemed a little better being paired up with something. 

I won’t be looking to put this in my beer fridge again.