North Coast Old Stock Ale

Brewed by North Coast Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
Fort Bragg, California USA

Pours a deep dark amber with a thin foam tan head. Aroma is malty with hints of licorice.Tase is sweet. Alcohol is not overwhelming. A very nive Fall brew. (2007)

Bottle 2007, thanks to me. I bought this simply because it’s a North Coast beer that I haven’t had yet. They make some pretty good stuff. The guy at Bruisin’ Ales told me this one is more like an IPA because of the generous amount of hops. I was definitely intrigued at that point, I love some hoppy barleywines! This is one fine looking beer. The pour is a thick, semi-cloudy dark amber with a very firm tan head. Lacing is dense and layers of cascades are noticed beneath the massive head. The aroma is not so hoppy. I mean, the hops are there, but it’s not aggressive. I feel this has a surprisingly fruity aroma with hints of melon and berries along with a rich pipe tobacco and caramel foundation. The mouthfeel is nicely dense. mm, this stuff is very complex with layers of flavors ranging from bittersweet earthy tones, berries, flowers, raisins, brown sugar, caramel, and peat. This is not an overly hoppy barleywine. Actually, there’s nothing really out of character on this one except the rich fruity flavors. However, this is a very well made and savory ale. The alcohol is perfectly masked. I don’t even get burn in my nose. Excellent barleywine!

The 12 ounce bottle 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. This was all accompanied by a growing warmth in the chest through the end.

12 oz bottle, 2006 vintage. Clear, dark amber with an off white head. Rich, sweet malt nose. Sweet malt flavor, a bit of alcohol. Even with a year on it, a touch hot. Very lightly hopped, a mild herbal bitter. OK, but I’m not seeing the hype - a bit one dimensional.

2008. Heavy wood and a bit of smoky fruit. Clear tawny copper. This vintage is still pretty hot up front and lacks depth. Also somewhat thin, look forward to this shrinking up some and getting some intensity.

2006 Bottled. Hazy brown-orange color with almost no head. Pleasing aroma of cinnamon, caramel, malt, and fruit. Slightly oily mouthfeel that finishes smooth and warm. Alcohol well rounded out, the flavor is a nice blend of plum, butterscotch rum, molasses, and sugars. Decent hop bite too. I’ll bet it ages longer just fine.

perfumy aroma, very plummy and sweet. bitter finish. very standard for the style. Some alcahol burn mixed with tiny hint of caramel/nuts and vanilla sweetness. Decent for the style

Old Stock 2005. Aroma is malty with caramel, chocolate, coffee, and butterscotch qualities. Pours clear, brown, with a moderate, lightly tan head. Heavy mouth feel with a strong alcoholic warmth. Flavors of caramel, chocolate, and bourbon. Excellent!