Ale as Fine as Any Wine
Written: Aug 22 '04 (Updated Aug 22 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Incredibly complex and rich ale.
Cons: Very limited production.
The Bottom Line: World class brew.
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| Bruguru's Full Review: North Coast Old Stock Ale |
To say the least, I was rather astonished when I went to read reviews on North Coast Brewing’s Old Stock Ale. My astonishment was a result of the fact that there were no reviews to read. That is a situation that is now remedied, as you’re no doubt aware (you’re reading a review of the beer now).
Still, this is a beer that deserves more attention than it gets. Everybody knows about beers like Anchor’s Old Foghorn , Sierra Nevada’s Bigfoot, or Rogue’s Old Crustacean. The latter two are very hoppy examples of the barleywine style, or more specifically, what could be called West Coast Barleywine style ale.
Old Stock Ale does not share that aggressive hoppiness. Technically, the brewery classifies it as an old ale in style. Old ale and barleywine are virtually synonymous, however. In truth, North Coast’s version is the more authentic, since the immense hopping rates common in a Bigfoot would not be the norm in an English example of the style (like Old Nick, for example).
That is not to say that Old Stock ale is inadequately hopped. The beer has 36 IBUs of bitterness, which is a fair amount. Of course, IBUs are relative, and the immense malt body of Old Stock Ale drowns the bitterness out almost completely.
Only 1200 cases of Old Stock Ale are released each year. It’s a bit pricey at about $10 for a four pack, but I can tell you that it is worth every penny charged, and more. Each maltage is stamped with the year of release; mine is of the 2003 batch. North Coast recommends at least a year of age before drinking, and recommends more if you can wait that long.
Old Stock Ale has won many awards. The brewery cites the following:
Bronze Medal - 2003 Great American Beer Festival, Denver
Bronze Cup - 2002 World Beer Cup
Silver Medal - 2001 Great American Beer Festival, Denver
Platinum Medal - 2000 World Beer Championships, Chicago
It gets kudos form me, as well. This is certainly one of the most complex brews you will enjoy, ever. At an astounding 11.4% alcohol by volume, this is a very potent brew indeed, and one that definitely should be drunk in moderation. It is imperative that you allow the beer to warm to room temperature to fully appreciate its complexity.
North Coast Old Stock Ale pours to a brilliant ruby red color with a very minimal head formation, really just a thin layer of a few bubbles. Carbonation is extremely light, and most of it is beaten from the liquid immediately upon the gentlest of pours. The nose is rich with winey, fruity aromas. It is immediately apparent that this is a complex ale, indeed.
The mouthfeel is immediately thick and full bodied, rich and luxuriant. Sticky sweet and warming with alcohol, complex flavors of rum raisin, apple and pear fruit, sherry, pineapple, candied fruit, and spice cake all come to the fore directly. In the finish, the alcohol warmth comes to its full intensity and helps offset the slightly sweet finish.
What wonderfully complex ale, one of the finest you will come across. Ever. Anywhere. A fine sipping beer indeed, I can imagine it as the perfect warming brew to sip slowly on a cold winter’s night. If you see Old Stock Ale, don’t think twice about the price. Buy all they have. Hoard it for yourself. It’s really that good.
Recommended:
Yes
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