For Tasting Tuesday, Christian has a beer that'll warm you up on a cold day.
Recently here in Maryland, we had a streak of chilly, breezy days with lots of winter fun including freezing rain and sheets of ice. Perfect weather to stay indoors, right?
Right. So since I wasn't going anywhere, I decided to open a bottle of New Holland Brewing's Dragon's Milk barrel-aged stout.
With an alcoholic content of 11% ABV, it was a good thing I wasn't going anywhere, either, because it's one that'll catch up with you. It pours a dark black color with mild carbonation.
The first thing you notice is a strong, welcoming vanilla aroma. This finds its way to the taste, which also has a pleasant coconut flavor and even some mild, dark fruit flavors. You actually don't get much bourbon until you swallow it, then it shows up in the aftertaste and warms your throat. One thing I noticed is that if you inhale a little before swallowing, the extra oxygen really brings out the bourbon taste.
I've recently become a big fan of bourbon-barrel aged stouts, and this is one I'd keep in mind. It's a bit too dry for my taste, but its mild bourbon flavoring makes it a great introduction for anyone wanting to give this style a try.
What's your favorite barrel-aged beer (or bourbon)? Let us know in the comments so we can look out for it.
Cheers!
Christian & Eric
