North Coast Old Stock Ale

2005 Vintage. Red amber color with a slightly tan head; head slowly recedes but still leaves some lacing. Smell of sweet caramel and some dark fruits, even a bit vinous. Taste is sweet (caramel and toffee), alcohol is present, but not overpowering. A bit earthy as well, improves tremendously as it warms; when its cool, its a bit metallic and lacking, when you warm it up it transforms into a solid beer. Higher side of medium carbonation, full bodied, a bit sticky on the tongue. An excellent sipper, but even though its a year old, it still has plenty of room to become the shining star its destined to be.

2007 12 ounce Brown red, Malty, caramel, brown sugar, fruity, with slight hop finish.

The 12 ounce bottle of 2008 Old Stock poured a beautiful clear rich ruby red colored beverage with a small creamy off-white head that lasted well and left some lacing on the glass. The aroma was not yet well developed for the style but it was somewhat sweet and fruity with lots of caramel and spice notes in the background. The body was quite full with soft carbonation and a thick, smooth texture. The flavor started out strongly sweet and stayed that way throughout the very long finish.

2006 Vintage. Dark Red/Brown color with small head. The aroma was malty and sweet. The taste was malty, with a sweet carmel finish. A great beer, thanks Mike.

Bottle 2007 Vintage. Red/brown color with a beige quickly shrinking head. The aroma is very malty and sweet with notes of caramel, alcohol, dried fruit and roasted malt. The taste is also very malty and sweet, notes of caramel, dried fruit, alcohol, roasted malt, nuts and some bitter hops in the background. Full bodied.

2008 vintage. 12-ounce bottle purchased at the brewery itself. Just pouring this beer is an event unto itself. It is simply gorgeous the first few moment it sits in the glass. A very red amber with a 1/2-inch head that is almost crystal clear, despite its relatively dark color. The aroma is sensational, suggesting a great barleywine experience to come. The taste is of honey, brown sugar, molasses, and brandy/whiskey. Oh yeah, it’s very boozy to boot. No surprise considering that it is 1/8 alcohol. A delicious and soul-warming treat from North Coast which can easily be put into the "Elite Class" of barleywines, and beers overall for that matter. This truly rivals the best out there. Thanks North Coast, you guys still kick massive ass.

2008 bottle. Pour was dark clear amber with small off white head. Aroma is very sweet with malt and fruit. Flavor was quite alcoholic with a ton of malt, fruit, and a light hop finish. Very smooth going down. Good but I think it really needed some aging time. This tasted somewhat young, but that’s my fault for not waiting.

Glass: snifter Purchased at: Canal’s Burlington (thanks, Mike!) Price: $2.84 Size: 12 fl oz ABV: 13.25 % IBU: n/a Estimated Calories: 200 C RateBeer Rating: 98 Aural: quiet opening, average carbonation, simple uneventful pour Aroma 10 out of 10 Intensity: strong Balance: sharp Impression: nice Malt Aroma: sweet, caramel, grape jelly Hops Aroma: tar, resin, mango Other Aroma: grapes Notes: A wonderful aroma that reminds one of grape soda. Appearance 3 out of 5 Color: brown black Clarity: clear Head Retention: poor Lace: poor Notes: the dark depth of color is impressive, but there is no head or lace in any respect. Flavor 8 out of 10 Intensity: strong Balance: sweet Impression: a bit cloying Malt Flavor: sweet caramel toffee Hops Flavor: citrus Other: sugar sugar sugar Notes: Though the intensity is cloying, the flavor is of a high quality. Palate 4 out of 5 Mouthfeel Sensation: creamy slick Body: full Carbonation: creamy Finish Length: long Intensity: strong Balance: sweet Notes: An impressive beer, but overtly sweet. Finish is nice for a dessert style. General Impression: 16 out of 20 Craftmanship: excellent Freshness: fresh Personal Taste: liked Notes: Certainly a beer of high craft, but looking for a sweeter tooth than mine.