North Coast 'Old Stock Ale' 2014

North Coast 'Old Stock Ale' 2014. 11.8% abv. 34 IBU. Deep ruby color with over a finger of thick creamy head. Excellent retention and outstanding lace. Nose of rich malt, herbal hops. Front taste of sweet malt, bright bitter herbal hops, toffee notes. Aftertaste of bitter hop bite over an earthy malty back. Big body. Mouthfeel is hot, thick, bubbly.

This is an awesome beer, with a tall malt profile backed by a mix of ample bitter hops that lends itself to a more complex taste. Highly recommended.

According to the bottle, this beer is meant to be aged. Mine is about a year old and excellent. Last year, a member of my homebrew club shared a 12 oz. bottle of Old Stock Ale that had been sitting in his fridge for over four years. The taste was amazing, rich and indeed more mellow and smooth than from fresh, just as the brewery suggests. I encourage you to save a bottle of two to savor a year or so from now. It will be worth the wait.

From the brewery:

"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."

[source: northcoastbrewing.com]