New Holland Dragon's Milk Reserve S'mores 4Pk

New Holland Dragon's Milk Reserve S'mores 4-Pack is a bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout brewed at 11.0% ABV, sold as a four-pack of 12 oz bottles. This limited Reserve series release carries a 4.2 out of 5 rating on Untappd across more than 28,500 reviews, reflecting strong enthusiasm among barrel-aged stout enthusiasts.

Quick Facts: ABV: 11.0%  |  Origin: Holland, Michigan  |  Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout  |  Brewery: New Holland Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

New Holland Brewing Company is based in Holland, Michigan, and built its reputation on the original Dragon's Milk — one of the earliest widely distributed bourbon barrel-aged stouts in the American craft beer market. The Reserve S'mores expression follows the same foundational process: an imperial stout base aged in bourbon barrels for approximately three months, drawing vanilla, caramel, and oak character from the wood. What separates this variant is the deliberate layering of graham cracker, chocolate, and toasted marshmallow flavors onto that barrel-aged backbone, aiming to replicate campfire s'mores in liquid form.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Roasted marshmallow and cocoa dominate the nose immediately, followed by charred oak and a thread of vanilla pulled from the bourbon barrel. The overall impression is rich and dessert-forward without becoming cloying on the initial pour.

Taste: Sweet chocolate and graham cracker arrive first on the palate, creating a biscuity foundation. Mid-palate shifts toward silky marshmallow sweetness and bourbon warmth, with caramel and vanilla building in the background. The 11% ABV is well-integrated, lending body rather than overt heat.

Finish: Long and smooth with a lingering dessert-like quality. Bourbon barrel influence reasserts itself at the close, leaving behind oak tannins and a mild boozy warmth that keeps the sweetness in check.

How to Drink Dragon's Milk Reserve S'mores

Serve this stout at around 50–55°F to let the marshmallow and chocolate complexity open up fully; drinking it ice-cold will mute the barrel character. A snifter or tulip glass concentrates the aroma and is the ideal vessel. While it works best on its own as a dessert sipper, it can also serve as a float base poured over vanilla ice cream for an indulgent beer float, or be used in a Stout Flip — shaken with a whole egg and simple syrup — where the marshmallow sweetness adds another dimension. A Black Velvet variation, layered with dry sparkling cider, creates an unexpected contrast between the rich stout and bright acidity.

Best For

• Sharing around a campfire or firepit as a dessert beer
• Gifting to a barrel-aged stout collector who seeks limited Reserve variants
• Post-dinner sipping as an alternative to a traditional dessert course
• Seasonal tastings and craft beer pairing nights during fall and winter

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Dragon's Milk Reserve S'mores taste like? It delivers rich chocolate and graham cracker sweetness up front, followed by toasted marshmallow and bourbon barrel warmth, finishing smooth with oak and vanilla.

How does Dragon's Milk Reserve S'mores compare to Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout? Both are Michigan-brewed, bourbon barrel-aged imperial stouts, but KBS leans heavily into coffee and dark chocolate bitterness, while the Reserve S'mores is sweeter and dessert-driven with explicit marshmallow and graham cracker character. KBS sits at 12.3% ABV compared to the Reserve S'mores at 11.0%, and takes a more roast-forward approach overall.

Is Dragon's Milk Reserve S'mores good for sipping neat? Yes — at 11.0% ABV with a smooth, dessert-forward profile, it is built to be enjoyed slowly on its own, ideally in a tulip or snifter glass at cellar temperature.

Where is Dragon's Milk Reserve S'mores made? It is brewed by New Holland Brewing Company in Holland, Michigan, a craft brewery located in the western part of the state along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

What foods pair well with Dragon's Milk Reserve S'mores? Chocolate brownies amplify the cocoa and marshmallow overlap. Aged gouda or smoked cheddar contrasts the sweetness with savory, salty depth. Peanut butter desserts echo the graham cracker notes. Vanilla bean cheesecake mirrors the barrel-derived vanilla. Smoked brisket offers a bold savory counterpoint to the stout's richness.

What sizes does Dragon's Milk Reserve S'mores come in? It is commonly available as a four-pack of 12 oz bottles, which is the standard retail format for the Dragon's Milk Reserve series.

Is Dragon's Milk Reserve S'mores worth the price? It positions as a premium craft stout within the barrel-aged category, and its limited Reserve designation, specialized flavor profile, and three-month bourbon barrel aging justify its placement above standard craft stouts while remaining accessible compared to ultra-limited annual releases.

Why Dragon's Milk Reserve S'mores?

The Dragon's Milk franchise is one of the most recognized names in American bourbon barrel-aged stouts, and the Reserve S'mores variant pushes the line into deliberate dessert territory without abandoning the barrel character that made the original famous. Three months in bourbon barrels gives it legitimate wood-derived complexity — vanilla, oak, caramel — that many flavored stouts attempt to replicate with adjuncts alone. A 4.2 rating across tens of thousands of Untappd reviews signals consistent quality rather than hype-driven scarcity. For anyone drawn to barrel-aged stouts who also wants a nostalgic, campfire-inspired twist, this Reserve release delivers a specific experience that few competitors in the category replicate as cleanly.