Old Stock Ale - North Coast Brewing Co.

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

4.15/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

A: Pours a very dark brown color with low clarity and even a bit of opacity. The head is impressive for damn near 12% - a one finger light mocha color with a pretty texture and excellent retention for the gravity. Good lacing, too.

S: Very forward in sweet caramel, brown sugar, chocolate, and molasses. The booze that comes through almost has a bourbon character to it which I find to be very pleasing.

T: Wow, this is sweet, just as I expected. The usual suspects - brown sugar, caramel, molasses, chocolate, and toffee - all appear vibrant on the initial taste. I can notice earthen malts/hops and a more expressive note of vinous sourness on the midtaste, which not only dries out the huge sweetness, but does a good job, too. Finish is a hybrid of dark fruits, vanilla, leather and bourbon-esque booziness, though every so often it will shift from being like bourbon to being port-like (less vanilla and more raisin and grape). With a bit more tannin presence, this could almost pass for a BA brew at times. Overall complexity is subtle instead of forceful; the latter could have just as easily killed this one, and I'm glad it didn't. Not super drinkable, but wonderful to savor.

M: I think the carbonation could be a little less forceful (not necessarily weaker, though) This is actually fairly clean and dry at first, but becomes a little more oily and lingering after a few sips. A bit airy and insubstantial; it's not as decadent as I would have liked, and doesn't quite do the flavor profile justice. Still, this is less harsh than it could have been - but I think a year in the cellar would do it wonders.

O: Better than I expected. It's actually pretty damn drinkable right now! If the mouthfeel was beefed up some, this really could have been something unbelievable. As it stands, it's still an excellent old ale. Seemingly lacking in frills, it instead chooses to sneak up on the palate with a wonderful - if not readily apparent at first - depth of flavor and complexity. Wish I bought more than a single...

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 22:56:21 | More by ThisWangsChung

Dreamer

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +3.2%

05-24-2013 21:49:43 | More by Dreamer

cleonile2000

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +3.2%

05-24-2013 20:44:46 | More by cleonile2000

JimmyFlatRock

Ohio

4/5  rDev -2.9%

05-23-2013 22:05:28 | More by JimmyFlatRock

kvnstfrd

Missouri

3/5  rDev -27.2%

05-23-2013 13:54:41 | More by kvnstfrd

linnymtu

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -9%

05-23-2013 02:04:28 | More by linnymtu

artdob

California

3.49/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.75

Love this beer - surprised I didn't find it here in my past reviews.

Chilled it a bit - slow start as the head retention is a tad disappointing as the dark ruby color settles in my snifter.

Rich, malty nose. Stewed plums - a compote atoma. Picking up some points here.

Sweetness on the palate, low carbonation in this bottle, but perhaps ok all things considered as this brew packs quite the ABV punch.

Interesting as I disect this beer piece by piece, wouldn't say I'm wowed by the isolated elements. Still, this is one brew for which when all the pieces are put together, the total package offers much to enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 03:36:06 | More by artdob

pin

Australia

3.5/5  rDev -15%

05-21-2013 21:58:07 | More by pin

Steve_Oldrati

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -9%

05-21-2013 00:51:10 | More by Steve_Oldrati

NJB145

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +3.2%

05-20-2013 00:56:42 | More by NJB145

eduardolinhalis

Switzerland

4.28/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

330ml bottle served in a snifter glass.

2013 Edition.

A: Pours a dark amber to nutmeg brown forming a small light beige creamy head. Medium to low retention and only very few lacings left. A small layer remains for long time on top

S: Sweet and fruity. Strong notes of caramel, grapes and wood. Quite boozy. Earthy and bready

T: Sweet upfront. Again, strong notes of caramel and dark fruits. Mainly grapes and plums. Notes of nutmeg and oak. Quite molasses with a considerable presence of alcohol. Very malty and sweet, in overall. Smooth and pleasant, Ale. Some grassy hops can be felt and the end is light bitter

M: Heavy and molasses body. Low carbonation. Bittersweet aftertaste

O: Strong but quite drinkable. Very well done. My second North Coast after Old Rasputin. No regret, just pleasure...

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 22:32:00 | More by eduardolinhalis

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4/5  rDev -2.9%

05-18-2013 22:19:01 | More by Photekut

EROCK75

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +9.2%

05-17-2013 17:00:09 | More by EROCK75

ElizabethEleanor

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +3.2%

05-17-2013 02:04:10 | More by ElizabethEleanor

THEOPTIMATOR88

Illinois

4/5  rDev -2.9%

05-16-2013 02:48:50 | More by THEOPTIMATOR88

twenty5

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2.9%

05-15-2013 16:45:01 | More by twenty5

touchmeimsac

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -15%

05-15-2013 14:18:55 | More by touchmeimsac

Snellgg5

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -9%

05-13-2013 22:58:57 | More by Snellgg5

whallgren

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +9.2%

05-12-2013 19:19:52 | More by whallgren

WillCarrera

Illinois

4.11/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle, 2013 vintage, poured into a snifter.

A- Pours a dark red color, topped with an inch of creamy off-white head.

S- Sweet, boozy and fruity, rum and raisin, bready.

T- Sweet, fruity flavors of raisin, booze, and caramel. Also some nice earthy and tobacco flavors. Nicely balanced, not overly sweet.

M- Medium-bodied, smooth feel, some alcohol warmth on the end.

O- A nice old ale, will have to try this again sometime.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 03:32:50 | More by WillCarrera

piconaut

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +3.2%

05-11-2013 11:57:53 | More by piconaut

2beerdogs

California

4/5  rDev -2.9%

05-10-2013 03:47:48 | More by 2beerdogs

jkane101

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -2.9%

05-10-2013 00:15:00 | More by jkane101

OC_Beer_Fan

California

4.5/5  rDev +9.2%

05-08-2013 06:12:13 | More by OC_Beer_Fan

deadliest

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +3.2%

05-08-2013 00:03:51 | More by deadliest