New Holland Brewing Company has announced the newest member of the Dragon’s Milk line, Dragon’s Milk Solera, a 10%-ABV, foeder-aged ale.
Beginning with a master batch, New Holland ages Dragon’s Milk Solera in oak foeders and gradually pulls down the line until reaching the final foeder, blending a pool of beer from different generations. The beer’s average age will increase before hitting an eventual equilibrium, the company says, becoming more layered and complex. Each pull from the solera will contain a small bit of the original batch.
“We plan to label each batch with the pull number so drinkers can join us on the journey,” Brand Manager Dominic Berquist says. “The aging and blending brings our brewers and cellarman a new set of challenges, but they have more than risen to the occasion and we’re very excited by the results.”
Dragon’s Milk Solera has a nose of oak and subtle sweetness, the company reports, before flavors of caramel, toffee and fig.
“We’ve researched the history and lore behind the term ‘Dragon’s Milk’ and have actually found references to it as early as the mid-1500s in England,” Bergquist says. “Dragon’s Milk was used to describe a wide variety of potent ales and elixirs that were worthy of celebration, and Solera absolutely lives up to that expectation. It’s an exciting new chapter in the legend of Dragon’s Milk and we can’t wait for our fans to try this brew.”
Dragon’s Milk Solera will be available year round in four-packs of 12-oz. bottles, and on draft in select states, beginning in August.
A limited amount of this beer will be available for online pre-order starting at 11 a.m. on July 18. This release coincides with another New Holland brand, Hazy River, a Citra-hopped New England Style IPA with a citrus aroma and taste. Pickup will take place at the Knickerbocker and New Holland production facility on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This follows the most recent Dragon’s Milk release, New Holland Dragon’s Milk Rum-Aged Reserve.
