Oh, hey there. I have had a lot of projects to juggle, things to write about, security to stick on my other web sites. An I’ve had a lot of beer sent to me for my comment. So let me finally write up this video and move on to the next one.
New Holland Brewing Co. in, of course, Holland MI, sent me some of their Dragon’s Milk Imperial Stout. Yup, it’s another brewer’s standout Imperial Stout, but instead of pushing out once a year as a “whale,” this 11% abv brew is a year-round staple. Then around this base brew, they have special Reserve variants with additions like vanilla, cocoa, peanuts or chile peppers, foeder-aged “Solera,” even a “White” Imperial Stout.
The base Dragon’s Milk is only described as having sat 120 days in bourbon barrels. No mention of which kind. Doubtless they have to source different barrels throughout the year and then blend to keep the taste consistent.
So here’s my impression of a “fresh” Dragon’s Milk, bottled last August.
The pour is dark brown, turning opaque in my snifter. A fizzy soda pop layer of brown foam is there just briefly.
The smell is mainly vanilla with a slight hint of bourbon. There is alcohol to make your head swim just a little.
The taste is pretty light compared to other BBA Stouts. No viscosity. Just more fizziness. A light blend of the coffee and vanilla, with oak and notes of bourbon. A great introduction for those not used to BBA stouts yet. Just a slight aftertaste of malt and bourbon after most of the pour is done.
In other words, fresher and lighter than other stouts I’ve let sit around. I did have this previously, but way back in 2011, at Bavarian Lodge, on cask
Black in the glass, but with a healthy layer of foam for a cask pour. Embraceable smell of bourbon, chocolate, yes, vanilla, and yes, yes, alcohol. First sip has a surprisingly thin mouthfeel, but that just lets the alcohol come through more quickly. And that’s cask for you, after all. Even though it seems thin, I do not want to just gulp it down, as the alcohol is pretty fiery, and there’s definite oak settling in. Resolves to separate threads of warming alcohol and smooth, velvety liqueur. And I barely even notice the lack of carbonation.
I’ve only cleared part of my plate. I can keep pushing out information and stuff as I go along.
