New Holland Brewing Co. Director of Brewing Operations Jason Salas Talks Dragon’s Milk Triple Mash

We spoke with New Holland Brewing Co. Director of Brewing Operations Jason Salas about Dragon’s Milk Triple Mash. 

Who was responsible for this beer’s recipe?
With a lot of input from the team, I drafted the recipe and process and then submitted it to Dayton Coffey, who was my boss at the time (now Head of Brewery Operations for Australia’s Mighty Craft). The brewers wanted to make a really big Dragon’s Milk, mostly to see if we could do it. We got the blessing from marketing/retail, so, we set the plan, laid it out for everyone on staff and got to work. 

What sets this beer apart from other examples within the style?
It is huge! and while it is HUGE, it is also very drinkable. Not just some hot mess but a silky, flavor-packed, bourbon barrel-aged 17+% ABV stout.

What makes this beer truly World Class?
Multiple mashes, and the amount of detail used in the process. This beer needs so much attention, and it is truly difficult to make. We make the beer, ferment the beer, monitor the beer, make more food (sugars) for the beer and dose it in at the correct time, and then repeat. If you don't feed the fermentation at the correct time the yeast will freak out and stop fermenting and then you will have a really tough time and potentially need to toss it out and start again. Additionally, we use only first-use barrels, which pack the beer with huge, bold flavors. We age for a year to meld and soften the flavor and high alcohol intensity so that you get a complex beer that has many different flavors that complement each other perfectly. By the end, all of this work and all of these elements meld to become a masterful work of art. 

What is your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, mouthfeel, etc.)?
My favorite part is the story behind it, the fun yet very challenging effort we put into this beer each year. I feel like it brings our team together – like a holiday family gathering or exploring an escape room with your best buds. The icing on the cake is the smile on everyone’s faces as we get to share the fruits of our labor. Very satisfying. 

How popular is this beer among your faithful fans?
Very. We still have people line up outside our brewpub when it's released during the very cold Michigan Februarys. 

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