Tag Archives: Milk

Dragon’s Milk Reserve with Raspberries by New Holland Brewing

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10608395_10102353144276970_1544083581616911366_oRating: 6/5

Dragon’s Milk Reserve with Raspberries by New Holland Brewing is an 11% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with Raspberries and aged in Bourbon Barrels.

Label:
This beer is from our collection of special variations that live in our Dragon’s Milk cellar. Local raspberries were added to the barrels in the final stages of conditioning. Raspberries lend depth, brightness and unique fruit character that harmonizes beautifully with Dragon’s Milk dark, roasty tones of malt, bourbon and oak.

==Introduction==

The original Dragon’s Milk was a beer I enjoyed back in 2011 when I was able to beer trade. This brew is a variant of the original Dragon’s Milk and was pretty hard to get upon released. I was able to get this one from www.mybeercellar.com. Since this beer was an in-store released, you literally had to be from Michigan and get it at the local stores in the Midwest to find this one. I don’t know if they will ever brew this one again but the opportunity to bring this to the site was something I could not pass up. So let’s prepare the swords and take on the dragon to get the milk shall we? Cheers!

Aromas:
Very Rich Raspberries, Very Rich Dark chocolate, oak, bourbon notes, marshmallows, milk sugar, raspberry chocolate milkshake, fudge chocolate cake, dark fruit raisins, plums, currants, dark cherry yogurt, vanilla, caramel, pecan pie, Irish cream, mocha notes, rocky road ice cream, hazelnut nectar and flan.

Flavors:
Very Rich Dark Chocolate, Very Rich Raspberries, tart cherry yogurt, dark fruit raisins, figs, currants, black berries, milk chocolate, fudge chocolate cake, milk sugar, raspberry chocolate milkshake, brown sugar, oak, bourbon notes, marshmallows, pecan pie, cocoa, caramel, toffee, vanilla, toasted rye bread, raspberry preserves, molasses, flan notes, sweetened condensed milk, raspberry cheesecake, mocha, raspberry cordials, rocky road ice cream, pecan truffles, anise, Danish cookies, Irish cream, steamed milk, espresso notes and earthy notes.

Aftertaste:
Ending with very nice tart raspberry notes, oak, bourbon notes, caramel, chocolate, earthy notes, vanilla, marshmallows and mocha. No alcohol in the taste, crimson dark full body, creamy and velvety mouthfeel, ridiculously easy to drink despite the ABV.

Overall:
The original Dragon’s milk was something that was unforgettable. Bringing this one back after several years and with raspberries brings a nostalgic time from 2011 when I first started trying different brews all the time. Now with the raspberries in there, the dynamic of the beer has taken a more sweeter frutier approach with milky chocolate notes of the original and bourbon. After trying this one, while it is not super strong on the bourbon category, the complexity it uses to still carry sweet flavors is what makes this one exceptional and exceeding my expectations. This one is definitely on par with the sweetest raspberry beers out there, yes I am looking at you Big Lushious. I highly recommend this if you love dragons. The original was great magic potion, the Dragon’s Milk beer barrel bourbon was delicious.. nor surprise why the raspberries just take it to another level.

Anime Corner:
Sierra from the Legend of Mana has returned from the original pairing I did on Dragon’s Milk back in the day. Sierra is a dragoon who’s animal origin is unknown but mainly resembles the furry dragons of the Never Ending Story with the canine like appearance. It would not surprise me if she is a dragon in reality which honestly I wouldn’t doubt or a dragon hybrid. The reason I also chose her in return has to do with her raspberry color hair blooming in the wind. This pairs extremely well with the raspberry aspects of the beer. Since Sierra is like a ninja in the wind when it comes to fighting, it may be of no surprise why her appearance as as cute yet extremely deadly ninja goes extremely well with how well the beer drinks despite the ABV. Trust me, she gets you good as you try to take her on further and further. She will always bee the Dragon that gives the Dragon’s milk. Yes the original Dragon’s milk kinda depicts where the milk part comes from 😉 .

Sources:
http://i4.pixiv.net/img06/img/tomoteru/33708327.jpg

Old Chub Nitro by Oskar Blues brewery

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1240400_10101956049737610_1043788160705698714_nRating: 5.6/5

Old Chub Nitro by Oskar Blues brewery is an 8.0% ABV Wee Heavy/Scotch Ale on Nitro.
Label:

Rate Girth
A Virtual Planetoid

Description:

Old Chub is a Scottish style ale brewed with copious amounts of crystal and chocolate malts, and a dash of beechwood-smoked malts. While Dale’s Pale Ale (“the best-tasting canned beer I’ve ever had,” according to many brewers and beer experts) is a showcase of both hops and pale malts, Old Chub is a celebration of malts. The cola-colored beer features a dense, tawny head, a creamy mouthful and flavors of caramel, chocolate and lightly roasted malt. Complex and rich, it finishes with a whisper of smokiness that calls to mind a fine single malt scotch. Old Chub weighs in at 8 % alcohol by volume.

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Decided to get this one as an extra when placing an order on craftshack.com. I have loved this style many times in the past even if it is the a favorite style but one I don’t always get to try. When I saw this one was on nitro, I said with that Evil Grumpy Cat stare, YES! >:S. I had no idea what to expect but at the same time I felt like this one was gonna be good since many of the other Oskar Blues beers I have tried have not disappointed. So I bring forth to you, the Old Chub on NITRO!!

Aromas:

Dark fruit and chocolate milkshake, vanilla, raisins, caramel, cherries, flan crème brulee, bananas, pecan pie, coconut hints, rye bread, brown sugar, coffee, toffee, marshmallow hints, molasses, raisin bread pudding and smoked peat.

Flavors:

Coffee, smoked peat, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, milk shake, yoohoo, dark fruit raisins, figs, plums, dulce de leche caramel, flan, cherries, bananas, pecan pie, brown sugar, toffee, marshmallow hints, hints of coconut, molasses, raisin bread pudding, almond joy hints, butterscotch, caramel spread on rye bread, hazelnut nectar and macadamia nuts.

Aftertaste:

Chocolate, caramel, vanilla, pecans, hazelnut, raisins, trail mix, smoked peat and earthy bitterness. No alcohol in the taste, silky mouth feel, smooth drinkability, pitch black body.

Overall:

I have said it over and over again. There has yet to be a Scottish Ale that has ever disappointed. From the makers of the Ten Fidy, this is the best damn can of beer next to that one that I have ever had. HOLY SHIT!! This really blew my mind as to how good this was. I am sure the regular may have been alittle bit less in rating but just step it up with the nitro and you have a very compelling Wee Heavy that can really take on the rest I have had before. There is a lot of complex things going on in this beer and that I can only moderately explain. You really have to try this one for yourself. Highly Recommended.

Anime Corner:

Original Archer character by Undine at deviantart.com was used in this pairing because I wanted to fit not only the colors of the label but the Irish aspect. The red haired archer seem very perfect which reminds me of the girl from the Hunger Games. Also, the fact that I once your a ginger/red head in another Wee Heavy pairing which was the Sam Adams one and that one came out awesome. (Hakufu SonSaku) Anyways, the arrow of the archer flies forth piercing the air toward her target as smooth as the way the beer flows down as you drink it. This is why I chose this to pair so awesomely. Cheers!

Sources:

http://sneznybars.deviantart.com/art/Archer-by-UndineCG-167377911

Board Meeting by Port Brewing

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285655_10101066236625220_750631760_n

Rating: 4.8/5

 is an 8.5%BV Brown Ale brewed with Coffee and TCHO Cocoa nibs

Label:
It’s 6 AM and you have two appointments on your calendar for today. A Board of Directors meeting at 10 AM requires your attention. But Last night you got the call signaling a dawn patrol session this morning. Surf is out of the west and the swell is building. A morning stop for a cup of Joe on the way to the ocean’s edge has you fueled. Early morning surf report on the radio indicates clean conditions up and down the coast. A Parking lot surf check at the break confirms the conditions are perfect. 

All systems go and your first board meeting of the day looks promising. You trade a neoprene wet suit and a brisk ocean paddle knowing full well later you’s be surrounded by stodgy old men and fussy women sitting in over stuffed leather chairs reviewing corporate minutes as the smell of pastries and burnt coffee hang in the air. It’s a scene that repeats itself year after year . But none of this bothers you anymore. Life taught you early on not all board meetings are created equal. 
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New from Port Brewing comes a brown ale unlike some of the brown ales I have had before. This beer is more full bodied like a porter or a stout. But I guess in terms of brown ales I would have to look and see how it would differ. The aromas are of coffee, chocolate, caramel, vanilla, hazelnut, earthy notes, and brown sugar. The flavors are great. It is not as bitter as a porter or a stout in terms of hops and smokeyness. This lets flavors of bakes chocolate, dark chocolate, coffee, vanilla, caramel, biscuit bread, coffee cake, brown sugar, hazelnut, berries, figs, and other sweet flavors shine through. The bitterness is very little as it is mostly from the coffee. This beer was so good it was hard not to stop drinking it. It is pretty drinkable and the aftertaste is sweet and nutty. Quite frankly one of the best brown ales I have had in a while. Aside from hazelnut nectar. This is going to be a new beer that will appear regularly. Brown Ale fans will love this one and those that do not like Brown Ales will start to love the style with this one