More Exciting Than A Barrel of Dragons

Wow huge news to share all the way around - two big announcements from New Holland that i am happy and proud to share with you all...

First off - Dragon's Milk Named One Of Draft Magazine's Top 25 Beers of 2008

http://draftmag.com/magazine/articles/21

Run out and grab yourself a copy of the latest issue of Draft. There's some great pictures of the beers, packaging etc in there. Also this is as good a place as any to give folks who are into Dragon's Milk a fun heads up, be on the look out for 12 oz bottles in bars and bottle shops this spring. There'll still be bombers, but we added 12oz to the mix as well.

Second bit of news - the latest Press Release out of New Holland HQ:

Celebrated local Chef, Matt Millar joins New Holland Brewing

(Holland, MI) New Holland Brewing Company, known for their "Art in Fermented Form", a portfolio of more than a dozen hand crafted beers and several Artisan Spirits, has announced a move dedicated to enhance their artistic approach in the kitchen as well. Chef Matt Millar has accepted the position of Executive Chef at the Holland-based brewery. Chef Millar is known for his efforts in opening and operating "The Journeyman & Rye" with co-owner and wife, Amy Cook in nearby Fennville.

His tenure at The Journeyman had a significant impact on the community, as he championed quality and celebrated the region's agricultural output by supporting local farms and producers. His food was confirmation to those that shared his philosophy and a convincing argument to those new to the discussion. Under his guidance, The Journeyman's approach to cooking seasonally while rediscovering cultural, culinary traditions, earned praise from Gourmet Magazine, Midwest Living, the Chicago Tribune, the Detroit Free Press , the Los Angeles Times and countless other local publications.

Matt joins New Holland Brewing Company as Executive Chef, overseeing the company's approach to food, which primarily consists of serving the hungry customers in their 8th Street Pub. The pub boasts more than 20 taps of their fresh-brewed beer, and a wide selection of their own distilled spirits, all complemented by a menu of creative pizzas, sandwiches and salads. With Millar on board, they plan to continue the same casual-dining approach, but explore opportunities to improve, create and celebrate the bounty of local foods and soulful cooking.

"I'm tasked with bringing the artisanship and individuality present in New Holland beers into the kitchen." Matt Millar stated. "I relish the idea of working for a company which shares my passion and pride." The Brewery's equally excited as stated by President Brett VanderKamp, "Bringing in a team member of Matt's caliber is thrilling for our company and is rich with limitless potential."

I've got some pictures from an epic Journeyman beer dinner with New Holland (some folks may remember an impromptu kiss and tell speech) that i will try to post up later on.