American Strong Ale, New Holland Brewing Co., Michigan, 10% ABV

A beer well deserving of its fame and inclusion on many ‘must drink’ lists. Though listed as an Ale, Dragon’s Milk is better thought of as a stout. Pouring a dark black with almost no highlights, the body is seemingly without carbonation though there is a thin ring of oatmeal colored head sticking to the rim of the glass. Most noticeable is the strong aroma of vanilla sweet wood wafting from the glass and even the bottle.

As you would expect the palate is complex layers of wood, strong vanilla and the essence of bourbon, I wanna say Jack Daniels. The body is smooth but very heavy, this is definitely a good sipping beer, time will only release more of the oak aging’s results. Drinking slowly will also allow you to fully appreciate the complex layers of flavor. As the beer settles the high alcohol kicks in feeling you with warmness. A pint bottle is plenty for two giving you the opportunity to share a great beer with a friend but also to be able to compare tasting notes. It has been a long while since I’ve had an oak aged beer and Dragon’s  Milk was a good reminder of the past.

Fun facts: Dragon’s Milk is a 17th century term used to describe the strong beer usually reserved for royalty. This strong ale was aged in oak for over 120 days. The label lists food pairings right on the bottle, saving you a trip to the internet.