North Coast Brewing 'Brother Thelonious' Belgian Style Abbey Ale. 9.4% abv. 32 IBU. Dark brown-red  in color. Finger of bubbly beige head. Good retention, moderate lace. Head recedes to a thick sustaining collar. Nose of sweet malt, dark fruit, bright spice, chocolate notes. Front taste of toffee, dark malt, sweet tangy citrus, spice notes, molasses on the back end. Aftertaste of prune, molasses, bittersweet dark chocolate. Medium-full body. Mouthfeel is  hot, clingy, small-bead carb.

This is an outstanding beer, one that pays tribute to authentic Abbey Ales, quite similar to a Chimay Première (Chimay "Red"). The complex aroma is backed by its equally complex flavor profile, offering rich malt, sweet fruits, spices, and a decadent caramelly sweetness. The brief head and lack of lace are made up for by a thick collar that remains nearly until the end, along with a creamy carb in the aftertaste. A well-crafted beer made in the tradition of old world Trappist beers. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"North Coast Brewing Co. is proud to partner with the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz in support of Jazz education. The Brewery makes a donation to the Institute for every bottle of Brother Thelonious Belgian Style Abbey Ale sold. Like a Belgian 'Dark Strong Ale,' this beer is rich and robust with an ABV of 9.3%. The package features a label picturing the Jazz master himself, and comes in either a 375 or 750 ml bottle with a traditional cork and wire finish, or 12 oz. 4-packs."

[source: northcoastbrewing.com]

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]