North Coast - Old Stock Ale - Vertical Tasting (2010-2011)

I've done vertical tastings in the past but have never written up a review.  For my first I decided on North Coast's Old Stock Ale, the 2010 and 2011 vintage.  I've had a few bottle from the 2010 case, tonight was the first time I opened the 2011 case.

As a continuation of North Coast Brewing Co.’s commitment to quality, our Old Stock Ale is crafted in the tradition of our critically acclaimed Pranqster Belgian Style Golden Ale and Old Rasputin Imperial Stout. It’s brewed with classic floor-malted Maris Otter Pale Malt and Fuggles Hops imported from England, so it’s a beer to be served proudly. Like a fine wine, North Coast’s Old Stock Ale is intended to be laid down. With an original gravity of over 1100 and a generous hopping rate, Old Stock Ale is well-designed to round-out and mellow with age. North Coast Brewing Co. Old Stock Ale is a vintage dated ale. We produce a small quantity each year and it remains available from release date until our stock is depleted.

pre-2006 ABV: 11.4%.
2006 vintages: 11.6% & 13.25%.
2007 vintage: 11.7%.
2008 vintage: 12.5%.
2009 vintage: 11.5%.
2010 vintage: 11.7%.
2011 vintage: 11.9%
2012 vintage: 11.7%

The ABV is 11.7 and 11.9 and the IBU rating is 35
Style - English Old Ale / English Barley Wine
Glass to use - Snifter, Gobbet, Chalice or Oversized wine glass
Delivery - 12oz Bottle

The Pour - 2010 | Pours a deep cherry red color with a very small tan head. Great lacing.
                  2011 | Pours a mahogany color with a good tan head. Good lacing.
Aroma - 2010 | Deep dark fruits, molasses, just a hint of leather and boozy.
               2011 | Molasses, chocolate maybe cocoa and fruit.
Taste - 2010 | Malty, dark fruit, toffee, a bit of leather and boozy.
            2011 | Malty, sweet, dark chocolate, dark fruit and spices.
Mouth Feel - 2010 | Light carbonation and full body, lots of alcohol.
                      2011 | Medium carbonation and full body, smooth.
Overall - I opened both bottles after cooling in the frig for 90 minutes.  The session lasted about an hour.  The brews were at room temperature towards the end which lead to wonderful toffee and chocolate taste notes.  Reminds me of a good Port or Sherry.  What a difference in color, the 2010 is much darker and I love the deep cheery color.  Though there was not much head on the 2010 it did stick around for the entire session.  Though the 2011 has 0.2% more alcohol it is much more hidden than the 2010.  The 2010 is starting to show its age with the slight leather taste and aroma.  I give the nod to the 2010 but both brews are excellent and deserving of an A grade.  

This beer gets a Duper rating of (2010) = A; (2011) = A-
BeerAdvocate Rating = 92
Ratebeer Rating = 99

North Coast - Grand Cru (2012)

Reminiscent of North Coast Brewing's Gold Medal-winning Twentieth Anniversary Ale, North Coast Grand Cru is brewed with pilsner malt and agave nectar, then aged in oak bourbon barrels.

North Coast had a good time exploring the brewing possibilities outside of the standard beer styles. North Coast Grand Cru doesn't fit neatly into any established category. Brewed  exclusively with Pils malt with an addition of agave nectar in the kettle. The beer is then fermented with the same Belgian yeast that is use to ferment North Coast Brewing's Le Merle. It's subtle, complex and lightly hopped with a deceptive 12.5% ABV, and aging it in oak gives this unique beer an extra dimension. The result is really "champagne-like."

North Coast Grand Cru is available in 500 ML bottles with a cork and wire finish and in 1/6 BBL kegs in limited markets throughout the country.

First introduced as North Coast's 20th Anniversary Ale in  May-2009, Vintage 12.5% ABV

The ABV is 12.9 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Belgium Strong Pale Ale
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip or Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 500ml Bottle

Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper condition.

Pour - Pours a cloudy orange color with a white head.  Good lacing.
Aroma - Oak tannins, some fruits and hint of the agave.
Taste - Slight bourbon notes, candy sweet from the agave and fruity.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and body.  Crisp and slight burn from the alcohol.
Drinkable - Not a bad brew, I did like it but too expensive. Worth a try if you can find one for a reasonable price.  I would rather have their Old Stock Ale!

Goes good with cheeses and desserts, white meats.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B+
BeerAdvocate Rating = 80
Ratebeer Rating = 95

North Coast - Old Stock Ale (2009)

As a continuation of North Coast Brewing Co.’s commitment to quality, our Old Stock Ale is crafted in the tradition of our critically acclaimed Pranqster Belgian Style Golden Ale and Old Rasputin Imperial Stout. It’s brewed with classic floor-malted Maris Otter Pale Malt and Fuggles Hops imported from England, so it’s a beer to be served proudly. Like a fine wine, North Coast’s Old Stock Ale is intended to be laid down. With an original gravity of over 1100 and a generous hopping rate, Old Stock Ale is well-designed to round-out and mellow with age. North Coast Brewing Co. Old Stock Ale is a vintage dated ale. We produce a small quantity each year and it remains available from release date until our stock is depleted.

pre-2006 ABV: 11.4%.
2006 vintages: 11.6% & 13.25%.
2007 vintage: 11.7%.
2008 vintage: 12.5%.
2009 vintage: 11.5%.
2010 vintage: 11.7%.
2011 vintage: 11.9%

See my review for the 2010 vintage and the Old Stock Cellar Reserve 2009.

The ABV is 11.5 and the IBU rating is 36
Style - Old Ale
Glass to use- Snifter or Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 12oz Bottle

Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper condition.

The Pour - Pours a cloudy brown color with a nice tan head.  Some lacing.
Aroma - Dark fruits, malts, caramel and toffee tones.
Taste - Malty, caramel, some dark fruits (plum), some molasses, a complex brew fer sure.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and body. Slightly fizzy.  Warm after taste from the alcohol. 
Drinkable - My first 3 year old vintage of this brew.  It's starting to mature.  I have a case of the 2010 and 2011 in the cellar which I will age for several years. 

Goes great with cheeses and darker fruit.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A
BeerAdvocate Rating = 91
Ratebeer Rating = 99

North Coast - Old Stock Ale - Cellar Reserve 2009

Old Stock Cellar Reserve is a one-time, small batch, limited release that has been aged in oak whiskey barrels. The aging process gives this world-class beer an added layer of complexity. A memorable drink that should be enjoyed as a completely unique offering.

2007 Vintage 14.6% ABV
2009 Vintage 13.2% ABV

The ABV is 13.16 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Old Ale
Glass to use- Pint Glass, Snifter or Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 500ml Bottle

Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper condition.

Pour - Dark brown in color with a tan head dissipates quickly.  Some lacing.
Aroma - Oak tannins, vanilla and sweet.
Taste - Oaky, vanilla from the barrel and sweet.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation, full body a bit fuzzy.
Drinkable - For a two year aged beer I was a bit disappointed.  I love the regular Old Stock Ale (non-oaked) so my expectations were high.  I have one more bottle that I will sit on for a year or so...

Goes great with cheeses and desserts.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B+
BeerAdvocate Rating =A
Ratebeer Rating =100

North Coast - Old Rasputin

The North Coast Brewing Co.’s  Produced in the tradition of 18th Century English brewers who supplied the court of Russia's Catherine the Great, Old Rasputin seems to develop a cult following wherever it goes. It's a rich, intense brew with big complex flavors and a warming finish.

The ABV is 9.0 and the IBU rating is 75
Style - Imperial Stout
Glass to use- Snifter or Pint Glass
Delivery 12oz Bottle

Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper condition.

The Pour - Black color with a cream head. Good lacing.
Aroma - Chocolate and coffee.
Taste - Malty and some hops with a bitter chocolate finish.
Mouth Feel - Carbonation is good, full bodied beer, and smooth.
Drinkable - A pretty good imperial stout. Add this to your Russian Imperial Stout entourage.

Goes great with cheeses.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B+.
BeerAdvocate Rating =A
Ratebeer Rating = 100

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North Coast - Old Stock Ale (2010)

The North Coast Brewing Co.’s  Old Stock Ale is crafted in the tradition of their critically acclaimed Pranqster Belgian Style Golden Ale and Old Rasputin Imperial Stout. It’s brewed with classic floor-malted Maris Otter Pale Malt and Fuggles Hops imported from England, so it’s a beer to be served proudly. Like a fine wine, North Coast’s Old Stock Ale is intended to be laid down. With an original gravity of over 1100 and a generous hopping rate, Old Stock Ale is well-designed to round-out and mellow with age. North Coast Brewing Co. Old Stock Ale is a vintage dated ale. North Coast produced a small quantity each year and it remains available from release date until the stock is depleted.

The ABV is 12.5 and the IBU rating is 36
Style - Old Ale
Glass to use- Snifter or Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 12oz Bottle

Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper condition.

The Pour - Mahogany in color a bit cloudy.  The white head dissipates quickly. Good lacing.
Aroma - Very malty and winey aroma that includes caramel and toffee tones.
Taste - Malty and hints of caramel, dark fruit, a hint of rum.
Mouth Feel - Carbonation is low to medium, full body.  Very warm after taste from the alcohol.
Drinkable - I like this beer a lot, reminds me of a good barlywine.  It's a sipper with a warm burn from the 12.5 % abv.  I can't wait to age this brew for a few years. 

Goes great with cheeses and darker fruit.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A.
BeerAdvocate Rating =A-
Ratebeer Rating =99