 Brigadier (820), Chagrin Falls, Ohio, USA
Apr 14, 2008
22 oz bottle
I was wary of this when I saw it at the store but I figured New Holland deserved another shot. After all it has been a while since I last sampled any of their products so perhaps things have improved. As it turns out this is actually a pretty good imperial stout once you get past how thick it is. I won’t be buying any more because my cellar is stocked with other things but if you see this on the shelf don’t worry about picking up a dud.
Aroma / Appearance - The fluid black body swirls in an oily pattern that leaves streaks around the rim of the glass. The nose is thick and almost suffocating with traces of charcoal and plum. The dominant component is pure dark chocolate like the variety that you would use for hot chocolate (the real stuff not Hershey’s powder). It could be more complex but it isn’t thin either.
Flavor / Palate - The mouthfeel chokes the senses with layer after layer of melted dark bittersweet chocolate. Other than a bit of smokiness and plum that is the entirety of this beer. With a few more flavors in the mix it would be excellent; instead it is one of the more average imperial stouts. The biggest difficulty may be in finishing the bottle. Imagine trying to drink two pints of slightly diluted Hershey’s syrup. I’m glad to have tried this but I won’t be getting any more.
Acknud (539), Morganfield, Kentucky, USA
Jul 7, 2008 Black pour. Minimal amber head. Immediate chocolate nose. Taste is rich, oily full in mouth. Chocolate and coffee abound.
bu11zeye (3573), Frisco, Texas, USA
Jun 28, 2008 (22oz. bottle) Pours a dark brown body (near black) with a small tan head. Aroma of chocolate, roasted malt, caramel, nuts, and some dark fruit. Flavor of roasted malt, chocolate, and some lactose.
thedm (3405), Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA
Jun 27, 2008 This bottled brew from Indianapolis, IN poured a small sized head of foam with a frothy top of brown colored mostly lasting bubbles that left behind an opaque black colored body with no visible carbonation. The aroma was of cocoa coffee hops dark malts and a mild vinous note. The mouth feel was mildly tingly from start to finish. The flavor contained notes of thick coffee dark malt and hops. It was very yummy. An excellent stout!
fishingnet (700), Brandon, Florida, USA
Jun 24, 2008 Bottle courtesy Gillard. Pours black with a one finger tan head that leaves good lacing. Aroma is a bit boozy but has a good amount of roasted malt, chocolate, and dark fruit. Taste is heavy chocolate, roasted malt, dark fruit, and just a touch of alcohol on the finish. Full oily mouthfeel with a moderate amount of bitterness and very smooth alcohol. A damn fine brew
vaughn (4), miamisburg, Ohio, USA
does not count  Jun 19, 2008 this stout is an absolute favorite of mine, from the tan head to the hints of cocoa and caramel, it has some hops to give it a bite. the beer gets better as it warms about 58 deg. I feel is the best a nice pick me up on a cool eve.
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