North Coast Old Stock Ale

Review Date 8/22/2004  Last Updated 1/19/2022 By John Staradumsky

           

To be sure, 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 from 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.

Update 1/19/2022: So I bought a 4-pack of North Coast Old Stock Ale at Total Wine last week (and some other fine beers) with a gift card I got from my wife for Christmas. The beer is a little lower in alcohol content this time around (11.2% by volume) and costs a little more (now $12.99 a 4-pack). It is still, however, magnificent, and when I popped a bottle the other night I sipped and savored it without taking any notes. I'll do just that on my next bottle and report back here, and try to save the other two bottles for againg.

From the 4-pack carton:

As a continuation of North Coast Brewing's commitment to quality, our Old Stock Ale is crafted in the tradition of our critically acclaimed Pranqster, Old Rasputin, Brother Thelonius, and Le Merle. Old Stock Ale is brewed with classic Maris Otter Pale Malt and Fuggles hops imported from England, so it's a beer to be served proudly.

They say on their website:

Like a fine port, Old Stock Ale is intended to be laid down. With an original gravity of over 1.100 and a generous hopping rate, Old Stock Ale is well-designed to round out and mellow with age. It’s brewed with classic Maris Otter malt and Fuggles and East Kent Goldings hops, all imported from England.

Glad I tried it?  T

Would I rebuy it??

 

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled, Canned

(D)=Draft





 

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