North Coast Old Stock Ale

Tasting at Brewtopia. Great cloudy amber color with a light beige head. Aromas are all over the place. I get sweet hops, vanilla, caramel, spices and some woody notes. Flavor is really nice. Caramel, wood, malt, toffee, floral hops and just a great body make this a superb beer. I cannot believe it took me this long to try it.

2007 Edition Poured into a tulip a very nice hazy brown/reddish color, very nice carbonation, and a very nice fizzy light tan head, with some sticky lacing left behind. The nose is malty, slight hop, and some spice. The taste is sweet, malty, slight hop, nice warming effect. Medium body, the alcohol is hidden pretty well, but it’s there. Drinkable, still a very nice/tasty brew. 2005 Edition Not sure of the date of this vintage, Pours a nice dark brown/red color, some carbonation, small head, some lacing. Scents of malt, alcohol, spices, and caramel. Nice taste, sweet with a hint of alcohol. Medium body. Very drinkable at 11.4% ABV, this is one of the strongest barley’s I’ve have, the alcohol is hidden very well for the style. Would highly recommend.

2008. 12oz in Chapeau glass. Deep ruddy amber, hazy, thin head. Malty, dusty, vinous aromas. Pleasant warmth and sweetness up front, but a mineral bitterness ruins the enjoyment. I have three more bottles; I’ll try to sit on those for at least several months and maybe the abrasiveness will drop out.

2008 bottle. Very rich caramel. amd who could believe thay could brew this sweet a caramel and get away with it Nice aroma, thick rich head dark tan head which dissapates quickly, and a very sweet hit ... which stays on the palate. This stuff is strong, but it sure doesn’t taste that way. Just try to write a review of a single bottle ten minutes later. This brew would bring peace at the United Nations. Perfect for a person who says they can’t stand the taste of "beer". And iIt is that good to hard hopheads and maltoholics. My brother got it from the brewery, and now he won’t trade back three Rasputins for one more Old Stock. On a special day when you only want to drink one bottle, this is your date.

Pours a dark amber with a white head that is gone in seconds. Smells of alcohol, dark fruits and brown sugar. Taste is sweet, but with a good kick from the alcohol. A lot of dark fruit (figs, dates, raisin) flavors. Good example of this style. Good beer.

12oz bottle. 2008 Vintage. Pours a dark ruby brown with a thin head. Aroma and flavor of dark fruit with an excellent, sweet malt profile. High alcohol content is well disguised. Very delicious overall.

2008, 12oz bottle, new label. Pours hazy dark reddish brown, thin head, low carbonation. Alcohol taste not readily apparent. Less sweet more hops than some barley wines. I’m enjoying this.

2008 bottle - Very nice aroma - sweet, apple-like. Pours a deep reddish brown with a small amount of tan head. Very good taste - malty, sweet, alcoholic, figgy. Nice thick mouthfeel. Very nice barley wine.