Old Stock Ale - North Coast Brewing Co.

mjtiernan

New York

4.43/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle poured into a small tulip. 2010 vintage.

A: Poured like a soda. Cola brown with large fizzy bubbles that disappeared almost immediately leaving nothing but the tiniest of rings around the edge of the glass and a little activity in the center. Huge alcohol legs.

S: Dominated by sweet malt, but with a nice cask woodiness to it. Some vanilla, coconut and cinnamon. Alcohol burn in my nose. Qualities reminiscent of either a wood-aged red wine or bourbon.

T: Heavy alcohol burn but smooth mellow flavor. Wonderful spicy woodiness. Caramel, raisin, vanilla and coconut. Finish has a long slow burn to it that is more like a spirit than a beer.

M: One of the thickest mouthfeels I’ve experienced in awhile. Just wastes your palate. It can be either syrupy or dry at different points.

O: Extremely unique (for me). I want to know more about how this beer is made. A slow sipper that warms your stomach and your brain. I love it.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 03:18:28 | More by mjtiernan

bnes09

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Gorgeous mahogany, almost transparent with a ruby gloss. Semi weak head but expected for the style.

Cherry and raisin sweetness in the aroma with hints of smoke and spicy sherry.

Solid malt flavor. Wheat toast covered in maple syrup, raisins and roasted chestnuts. Sweet overall with enough earthy hop bitterness to balance. Alcohol is spicy and warming. Somewhat tart finish adds a level of dryness and reminds me of a sour mash bourbon whisky.

Full bodied without the syrupy texture. Exceptional carbonation gives it that beer character.

Lots to offer in one bottle. Sweet, tart and bitter are well rounded into a truly delicious creation.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 04:20:20 | More by bnes09

SawDog505

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured vintage 2012 into a 16 oz snifter. Pours a mahogany with a two inch off white head, some thin lace left behind. Smell is brown sugar, carmel, molasses, dark fruit, and a hint of booze. Taste is that, nothing really dominant. All about the malt on this, but that is fine and expected. Body is medium large, the amount of carbonation you would expect from a beer of this size, a touch dry, and drinkable for a sipper. This is well done, would enjoy even more on a cold evening.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 01:53:30 | More by SawDog505

JohnnyBarman

Ontario (Canada)

4.23/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Single bottle from the both the 2011 and 2012 batches at a recent beer tasting.

Poured into a wine glass. Deep caramel-amber brew, almost chestnut that is generally quite clear, and with a quickly receding head. Only the thinnest wisp of head survives on the 2012; on the 2011, nothing. About right for the style.

Nose is quite nice - caramel, grape, a hint of smoke/leather, booze. The 2011 has a sweet red wine/port quality, while the recent batch is not as potent.

Tasty brew indeed, providing a lovely warmth as it goes down. Caramel, red grapes, raisin toffee, light smoke. 2011 is a touch sweeter and smoother, but both brews are first rate.

The real difference between the two batches is in the mouthfeel, naturally, with the 2012 feeling a bit hot - more assertive carbonation and with a more pronounced booziness. In both editions, however, the mouthfeel is superb, coating the tongue well.

Great Old Ale, with lots of flavor, well-masked alcohol content, and certainly well worth aging or acquiring some older batches. Obviously I give the nod to the '11, but both are great!

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2012 04:10:13 | More by JohnnyBarman

CloudStrife

New York

4.1/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz 2011 & 2012 bottles poured into snifters.

A: 2011 pours cloudy while 2012 is a clear deep ruby amber. Lasting ring of head on each. Lots of visible carbonation.

S: Both have grape and musky roasted malts. A yeasty bready quality as well. Reminds me of a barrel aged beer. 2011 has a much more port quality to it. More sweet dark fruits in the 2012. Fig and plum.

T: Starts off with a sweet fruity booze. Roasted malt, oak and a hint of vanilla. 2011 is much more smoothed out. Alcohol is certainly present. Almost a nuttiness in it.

M: Medium creamy body with mild carbonation. Very warming, 2012 is a lot hotter.

Overall glad I could try these two side by side. It would be great to lay these down even longer. North Coast makes some solid brews.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 03:39:57 | More by CloudStrife

Duff27

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Half inch tan head. Near translucent brown body. Collar left.

Caramel syrupy aroma.

Somewhat sweet. Caramels and chocolate.

Slightly syrupy. Low carbOnation.

Yum this is very good, I get the recognition. Drink this one with a pipe and you'll be in heaven. Thanks egrace84.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2012 01:21:25 | More by Duff27

TwelveOunces

Kentucky

4.2/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

12 Oz bottle poured into a snifter
2012 Vintage ABV=11.7

A- Pours murky dark red/brown with a half finger off white head that dissipated rather quick. lots of alcohol legs on this one.

S- A touch of alcohol. There is a good bit of dark fruits. A bit of caramel and toffee. Some fruity bitterness. A very malty smelling beer.

T- Whew, an almost roasty and smokey maltiness up front. Followed by a bunch of the dark fruits. There is a touch of alcohol but its almost needed to keep the rest of the beer in check. A complex variety of caramel, molasses and toffee flavors. This beer is constantly changing.

M- Thick and syrupy. Definitely warming in the gut. Is very silky but the alcohol keeps you on your toes in this brew. Really coats the mouth and has a nice heavy feel.

O- Pretty nice stuff. I cant wait to try these guys out after a year or two.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2012 00:55:23 | More by TwelveOunces

vette2006c5r

Wisconsin

3.83/5  rDev -7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled 2010
Pours a cloudy dark brown color, with no head. There is a a malty aroma, that has a wine like aroma. The taste is like a full body wine, strong grape flavors, and a strong vingerlike backbone. Rather easy to drink, and a good full body flavored beer. Overall a good beer, interesting and different.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2012 04:07:03 | More by vette2006c5r

chanokokoro

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2011 vintage, fairly hard poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a snifter

Pours a dark amber with golden hues and a two finger off-white head. Delicious aroma of caramel and toffee, perhaps a bit of brown sugar and booze. Opens with the smooth taste of caramel, honey, sherry joined by ripe, dark fruit and biscuity tones and finishes ultra-smooth. Pleasant boozy warmth is present throughout. On the lighter side of full-bodied, syrupy with enough carbonation to make itself known with an occasional tickle of the tongue, extremely smooth and silky. Highly enjoyable and a fantastic example of an American-brewed old ale.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2012 03:06:47 | More by chanokokoro

sommersb

Tennessee

4.18/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tasted On: 06-25-2012
Freshness: 2012 Vintage
Packaging: 12 oz. brown bottle, pry-cap
Glassware: Snifter
Purchased: 4-pack from Grace's, Nashville

Pours a clear, mahogany color, with 2 fingers of light tan head. Retention is low and lacing is pretty much nil. Aromas are malty and rich, with caramel and raisin notes. You can smell the alcohol hidden in this beer as well.

Taste is very rich, with a brown sugar and molasses sweet maltiness. There's a bit of hop bitterness here, but just a touch. Also features alcohol warming -- similar to a whiskey-aged brew. Full bodied and smooth, with a high amount of carbonation. Finishes with a malty, sweet aftertaste.

This is a powerful beer that feels like a malt-based spirit. A very fine sipping beer for a nightcap. I'm going to put a couple of these away and see how they develop over time.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 04:34:32 | More by sommersb

jpro

South Carolina

4.1/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle from Total Wine Park Rd in Charlotte. Poured into a Piraat tulip glass...

A: Pours a murky, tea-like brown with a light tan head; dies down to a ring sustained by a steady bubble stream; looks interesting; no lace.

S: Cotton candy; maraschino cherries; molasses / sugary sweetness; pretty crazy.

T: Brown sugar; sweet bread; alcohol occasionally peeks through and its pretty hoppy on the end with some earthy, tobacco, leathery notes; also some tin... bah! Complex and overall very good except for the metallic notes.

M: Full-bodied; high carbonation; perhaps a little too high for the style - could be a bit more viscous.

O: A very nice old ale; pretty complex aroma and taste; a good sipper... it seems to get even tastier as it warms and the alcohol never really becomes overly noticeable. Props to North Coast - a great brewery.

*from notes (5-22-12)

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2012 02:18:18 | More by jpro

rawfish

California

3.85/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2011 vintage. Pours a dark toffee hue, vigorous pour nets a small half finger off white head. Poor retention with visible carbonation and no lacing on the glass.

Bready and thick syrupy caramel malts with raisins and molasses. The sweetness and alcohol give off a rum raisin combination. Mineral and pine hops on the back end. Simple and pleasant.

Molasses, toffee and caramel sweetness which is well balanced by some medicinal hops. Tones of prunes and cherries with a splash of brandy imparted by the high alcohol which provides a steady warmth to the beer.

Syrup heavy body, chewy, lightened up by some nice carbonation. Alcohol is evident but the drink finishes very clean.

Classic old ale, molasses and dark fruit highlights, text book flavor and character. A great sipper that really requires some aging to find a balance between keeping the hops and letting the alcohol mellow out.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2012 06:44:05 | More by rawfish

cincyfan90

Rhode Island

3.95/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Old Ale 2012

Appearance: deep amber color with a small but lingering head.

Aroma: Sweet, malty biscuit

Taste: Slight dark chocolate, sweet malt. For 11.9% it is not "hot" and has a mix between a sweet malty beer with moderate hop and a darker roasted malt.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2012 00:43:35 | More by cincyfan90

StuartCarter

Alabama

4.33/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: appealing mid brown with ruby highlights.

Smell: rich and fruity.

Taste: sweet, fruity, some alcohol.

Mouthfeel: smooth with prickly carbonation.

This is a wonderfully appealing Old Ale, smooth and sophisticated. Try it with a nice, sharp Cheddar.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2012 23:47:35 | More by StuartCarter

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

2011 Vintage

A-This beer pours fairly clear. The body is a beautiful orange-between-crimson color. Body glows dimly. Head is tan and slight. Head consists is more bubbly than frothy. Head is not big but it laces well for its size. Very pretty.

S-Big, rich nose. Superb notes of caramel, molasses and brown sugar. Has some whiskey/liqueur characteristics. Light tobacco. Apple juice. Quite boozy in the nose. The alcohol is balanced very well by the big flavor notes. The months of sitting has probably mellowed it out a bit.

T-The flavor is nice but it isn't as pleasant as the nose. Less intense and noticeably more subtle. Rich sweetness with some great liqueur-dipped fruits. Pipe tobacco and even some lighter earthy hops still lingering. The flavor grows on me as the beer progresses. Initially, I felt a bit let down by the flavor but it got better per sip.

M-Big, wealthy and chewy. Carbonation is very mellow. Alcohol is pretty drying. Lingering bitterness and syrupy-feel via the malt.

O/D-This is a pretty damn good Oldie. I have had a couple other Old Ales with more intensity and complexity. Yet this beer really opened itself up to me after a few good swigs. A notch or two below spectacular, but for $4 a 12 oz. I was nowhere near upset by this purchase.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2012 01:58:45 | More by VelvetExtract

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clean amber-ish color with a light tan head. In the aroma, a small alcohol presence and fruitiness of raisins. In the taste, a small dry alcohol prevails over the notes of dark fruit. A small bite to smooth, with a medium bodied mouthfeel, withe a dry dark fruit and alcohol in the aftertaste. Dry and fruity, with a small alcohol presence, and in turn, hides the true ABV.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 19:46:41 | More by OWSLEY069

BostonHops

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle served in an oversized wineglass. 11.7% ABV.

pours a dark, ruddy amber tone with a good degree of clarity; a tan finger of head quicky dissipates into a thin collar around the glass.

nose is a bit underwhelming but with dark fruits, molasses, and caramel malts all evident. flavor takes the aroma and improves upon it: stronger presence of dark fruits; the molasses are there, as is the caramel maltiness... some spices, breadiness... sweet, but nowhere near cloying; some booze in the finish. a tasty beer.

medium-plus bodied beer with average cabonation. pretty enjoyable although it's not knocking my socks off either. that said, it's definitely worth a try.

originally reviewed: 12-06-2010

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2012 22:39:07 | More by BostonHops

areich6

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2009 bottle poured into a snifter

A: Pours a fairly light looking dark brown color with little head. Looks quite drinkable.

S: I can smell some bourbon like alcohol (even though this isn't bourbon barrel aged) and some dark fruits, along with some scents I honestly can't identify.

T: Tastes pretty peculiar, not bad, I just have not had any beers like this. There is definitely some alcohol, but in a pleasant way. It tastes a little woody and it takes on some taste qualities I have found in quads. Definitely some dar fruits, such as plums.

M: Very smooth and drinkable. A definite plus.

O: A first for me. This is a style that I am not familiar with, but nevertheless, I found this brew enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2012 04:22:44 | More by areich6

pschul4

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2009 bottle thanks to Rempo! Totally unsolicited kindness!

A- Pours a very dark brown with very little head that falls back to a tiny ring around the top of the brew

S- Pretty sweet with a surprising bitter hop (maybe alcohol?) scent to it. Nothing to write home about but not gross either

T- This is like nothing I've ever had before. It's insanely complex to the point I don't know what to think. So many flavors going on at once.. I will say it's extremely well balanced. You truly must try this for yourself to understand. I recommend it

M- Super duper smooth, finishes a little too quickly for me but nearly perfect

O- Big ups to Rempo for the hook up. I want to try this fresh but I don't want to be disappointed if it's not as good as this

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2012 04:19:17 | More by pschul4

mjpolzin

Wisconsin

3.73/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Not as good as I hoped for especially for the price. I have a bottle of the special 2009 Cellar Reserve that I paid a pretty penny for so hopefully that is better...

It looked and smelled like an average bock to me. At first that is what it tasted like as well but with a harsh alcohol burn added in. It was lacking the warming, subtle alcohol hotness that I hope for from a beer like this. As it warmed a little bit though I got some sweetness specifically of fruit so that was decent.

I will give this beer another shot because I can't believe it isn't better than what I am rating it right now.

EDIT: My apologies to this beer as it has gotten so much better with age. I drank a bottle of '12 at the end of March '13 and this thing has morphed into a sweet, boozy barleywine. I have always raised my ratings of a beer that ages well so I will follow suit with this one. Also, after thinking I would never buy this one again, I may have to buy some '13 to start a vertical.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2012 03:42:25 | More by mjpolzin

siege06nd

Virginia

4.45/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2010 vintage

A. Pours a dark, vibrant copper color. About a quarter finger of cream colored white head. Spotty but tight beads of lacing on the glass.

S. Ripe dark fruit, caramel, brown sugar, freshly flaked bread crust, maple syrup, raisin, graham cracker, apple skin.

T. Brown sugar, molasses, dark cherry, raisin, caramel, vanilla, bread crust, and dark jam. A little bit of alcohol burn on the back end, but this follows the nose so closely and provides so much complexity that I don't mind in the least. For 11.5%, this drinks very nicely.

M. Carbonation and alcohol burn are both just a touch high, but the flavors have excellent balance.

O. This is an excellent Old Ale, with an excellent complexity and shockingly well-hidden 11.5% ABV. Definitely a sipper, but those who let this one warm and enjoy it over time will be well-rewarded with an ever-evolving flavor profile. Truly an enjoyable experience, a great after supper treat.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2012 00:24:35 | More by siege06nd

ADZA

Australia

4.05/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This is the 2012 bottle and pours a nice mahogany hue which leaves a creamy two finger head and a little lacing,the smell is boozy alcohol,treacle,toffee,prunes and sweet malts,the mouthfeel is just under full bodied with nice carbonation for an Old Ale and has tastes of cherries soaked in brandy,toffee treacle,marzipan,candied figs,butterscotch and finished with a touch of boozy fruit cake and overall its a nice warmer for a cold winters day like today and would age well cheers.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2012 06:56:59 | More by ADZA

nrs207

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2009 bottle

A - Dark ruby/brown. Finger of head that dissipates pretty quickly. No real lacing to speak of. Very hazy.

S - Very sweet. Caramel, dark fruits. It's a very nice smelling beer for being this sweet and seemingly one-note.

T - Follows up the nose nicely. Nice and sweet, with a mellow alcohol kick to balance it out and keep it from becoming too thick.

M - Light alcohol presence, not bad for 11.5%. On the thicker side, but that was to be expected.

O - I really enjoy this beer. 3 years has done it well. I've never had it fresh, but I certainly can't complain with this vintage.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2012 01:04:41 | More by nrs207

Swim424

Florida

3.13/5  rDev -24%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into sweetwater glass.

Pours a clear amber color. Nice head that falls real quick. Smells very malty, and sweet.
Very sweet upfront, hanging in there throughout with a bit of a boozy kick on the finish. Medium body, with a boozy after taste. This seems like it is way to sweet and boozy without enough hop balance. To much alcohol taste to it. This isn't terrible, but not worth the price unless your looking for something on the boozy end.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2012 06:50:17 | More by Swim424

ksimons

New York

4.33/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A-a clear ruby with a fingers worth of creamy yellow head that disappears to leave a ring around the edge

S-rich sticky malt, raisins, toffee and caramel, and moderate alcohol

T-Taste is exactly how the smell is. Huge amount of rich malt, raisins, caramel. Pretty sweet but well balanced with a bit of bitterness so its not cloying. Alcohol is definitely present but not too hot.

M-full body, medium to high carbonation, and a sticky raisin taste

Overall I really like this, though I am a big fan of big malt beers. Surprisingly well balanced for a 11.9% beer. Can't wait to have again!

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2012 21:54:48 | More by ksimons