Old Stock Ale - North Coast Brewing Co.

movingtrain

Ohio

4.45/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This one is fresh, 2011 vintage. I picked two up: one to try now, and one to set back for a year or two.

Pours a gorgeous amber color. Carbonation is strong, and, with a mild pour, the head actually increases some before falling to a light film around the edges of the glass.

The first note that comes to mind in the aroma is red apple--tart, but with a fine sweetness. There are also notes of cherry, cinnamon, burnt caramel, and hard candy. The aroma is also quite woody, perhaps with hints of cedar and oak.

The flavor is actually quite sweet, with notes of caramel and vanilla, but also a nice red apple tartness coupled with a candied sugar. The sweetness is also reminiscent of an old fashioned hard candy. There is a bit of peppery spice apparent, as well.

This beer is very, very warming. Meaning, of course, that the strong ABV here is quite apparent. However, this is not, by any means, a weakness in the beer. In fact, the wonderful balance of flavor and warming alcohol makes this beer exceptional.

Overall, this is an outstanding, balanced, full-bodied beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 23:13:49 | More by movingtrain

IrishGermanAmerican

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +3.2%

05-25-2013 23:36:14 | More by IrishGermanAmerican

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