Wolverine Boots Releases New Holland Dragon's Milk-Themed Boot for Beer's 20th Anniversary

Michigan boot brand Wolverine Boots is teaming up with New Holland Brewing Co. for a new boot that's inspired by the brewery's Dragon's Milk, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Full details are below.

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan – Wolverine, the 138-year-old boot brand, is teaming up with likeminded Michigan brand, Dragon’s Milk, to create a collaborative  Wolverine 1000 Mile boot celebrating Dragon’s Milk’s 20th anniversary and its commitment to craftsmanship in each hand-crafted batch of stout. New Holland Brewing Co is the maker of Dragon’s Milk, the number one American-made stout, and this limited-edition boot infuses the character of this bourbon barrel-aged stout with Wolverine’s American original work boot for a deliciously dark collaboration. 

The Dragon’s Milk x Wolverine 1000 Mile boot design is a play on the human senses: sight, smell, taste, and feel; and was inspired by the signature stout’s rich colors and notes of coffee, chocolate, vanilla and oak. Wolverine 1000 Mile boots are handcrafted in the USA by over 80 people based on a style originally introduced in 1914. For this collaboration, those elements are combined with inspiration from Dragon’s Milk hand-brewed, bourbon barrel-aged stout, and the limited- edition boot is the pinnacle of craftsmanship that gets better with age and lasts a lifetime. 

“This is a fantastic partnership between two Michigan-based heritage brands highlighting our commitment to craftsmanship and the many skilled craftspeople it takes to create a unique, handcrafted product,” says Tom Kennedy, global brand president for Wolverine. “We are proud to team up with Dragon’s Milk and solidify their legendary beer into a pair of Wolverine 1000 Mile boots.”

The limited-edition boot features roughout suede from England’s finest suede manufacturer, Charles F. Stead with the texture mimicking the oak bourbon barrels that Dragon’s Milk is aged in. The suede is tanned in a smooth, waxy mohawk, exposing the natural grain and intricate texture while the coloring matches the deep, rich chocolate hues of Dragon’s Milk. The bronze hardware detailing, found on each boot, is a reflection of the hardware used on the brewery machinery; and, is also adorned with a removable metal fob in the shape of a dragon. An embossed Dragon’s Milk logo is featured on the tongue and is paired with classic, yet simple monochromatic laces to transform Dragon’s Milk beer into wearable, functional, and quality footwear. The boot is made in Wolverine’s classic 1000 Mile rugged silhouette featuring a leather outsole with a Vibram® rubber forepart, and Goodyear™ Welt construction, allows for the boot to be re-soled for many years of wear. 

“It is truly amazing to see how Wolverine was able to take Dragon’s Milk and then translate all aspects of what makes our stout so special and turn it into a boot that can be worn for a lifetime” said Brett Vanderkamp, Founder & CEO of New Holland Brewing Co. “We are excited to work with Wolverine and add a new chapter and story to our legacy with a brand that shares our values.” 

In recognition of the many bartenders still waiting the return of their patrons, Wolverine will be contributing 10% of all sales of this limited-edition collaboration to the USBG Foundation’s Bartender Emergency Assistance Program (BEAP).

The Wolverine 1000 Mile x Dragon’s Milk limited-edition boot is available for pre-order now ahead of the release date on April 6, 2021 exclusively on Wolverine’s website (www.wolverine.com/dragonsmilk) and can be purchased for $400. Wolverine will be contributing 10% of all sales from this collaboration to the USBG Foundation’s Bartender Emergency Assistance Program (BEAP).

ABOUT WOLVERINE

For over 135 years, Wolverine has taken pride in crafting durable boots with unrivaled craftsmanship and the highest-quality materials. With a dedication to innovation, Wolverine provides dependable comfort and style to hardworking men and women all over the world. For those who believe in hard work and uncompromising commitment, Wolverine offers the footwear, apparel and accessories to get the job done. Committed to supporting those in the skilled trades, Wolverine's Project Bootstrap was formed in 2014 to celebrate and thank hard working people in the skilled trades and donate boots to trade students and trades workers. For more information, visit www.wolverine.com. Wolverine is a division of Wolverine Worldwide Inc. (NYSE: WWW)

ABOUT DRAGON’S MILK

Throughout the ages, Dragon’s Milk has been a term used to describe potent ales and elixirs worthy of a celebration, a reward at the end of the journey. New Holland Brewing Co. is proud to continue that tradition today with the Dragon’s Milk family of brands. What began as a single barrel in the back of the brewhouse in 2001 has now become a line of legendary beverages, led by Dragon’s Milk Bourbon BarrelAged Stout, the #1 selling American made stout. For more information, visit www.dragonsmilk.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram.

ABOUT BARTENDER EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The purpose of the Bartender Emergency Assistance Program (BEAP) is to help those in the bar industry who require financial assistance as a result of a catastrophic event or an emergency hardship such as an accident, acute medical diagnosis, or wind, water, earth, or fire-related natural disasters. The BEAP exists to support bartenders in their time of need. The goal of the program is to award grants to as many qualified industry members as possible every year. The USBG Foundation strives to ensure that the BEAP is sustained as a safety net for those in the industry who need it most. Serving Those Who Serve Us. Visit www.usbgfoundation.org/beap for more information.