New Holland To Release 2 Versions Of Dragon’s Milk Reserve In 2014

New Holland Brewing Co. | April 15, 2014

New Holland Brewing Co. is taking its top-selling year-round bourbon barrel stout – Dragon’s Milk – and setting it on fire. The Michigan-based brewery is distributing two “reserve” batches of Dragon’s Milk to markets around the country, beginning with the first of two reserve batches – Dragon’s Milk Reserve with Toasted Chilies shipping from New Holland’s production facility this week and hitting stores soon after. This reserve blend is aged with chili de arbol peppers in bourbon barrels for three months.

“This reserve batch of Dragon’s Milk was a brew we first brought to festivals and eventually to the Great American Beer Festival, where it won Silver in the Experimental category,” says Brett VanderKamp, president of New Holland. “Our festival-fans might remember it as ‘Smaug’s Breath’ but in market you’ll see it as Dragon’s Milk Reserve with Toasted Chilies, even though it’s essentially the same recipe.”

In late fall 2014, the second Reserve offering will be released –Dragon’s Milk Reserve with Raspberries. A different slant on the barrel-aged stout. Using the tartness of raspberries against the rich, deep vanilla notes of the stout.

“The raspberry Reserve is equally amazing,” says VanderKamp. “It will definitely appeal to those who love that tangy tartness of raspberries and those who are a little scared of the chilies,” he laughs.

First released in 2001, Dragon’s Milk was one of the early bourbon barrel-aged stouts in the US. The barrel-aging scene has since exploded. Once a single-batch annual release, Dragon’s Milk has become New Holland’s largest selling year-round beer, gaining accolades and recognition internationally, including a recent silver medal in the 2013 Brussels Beer Challenge.

In 2011, New Holland renovated its production facility to expand its Dragon’s Milk cellar where more than 2,000 oak barrels can reside at one time.

“We’re excited about these two limited-release offerings,” says VanderKamp. “It has been important to us to offer Dragon’s Milk year round. Even though it is a time- and labor-intensive brew, we feel like it needs to be a flavor profile available to our fans whenever they want it – for those big and small celebrations in life. But we’re also looking forward to offering these two fun, smaller runs of the Dragon’s Milk Reserve. We believe they will make our fans proud and encourage them to stop and enjoy the moment.”

To find Dragon’s Milk Reserve in your area, use our Beer & Spirits Finder or ask your local retailer.