The beer of choice for this week’s was quite a surprise to even me, the guy choosing it. You see, originally I had my eyes set on another beer. But perusing the beer aisle, I stumbled across a mistake: A beer that should not be in the aisle (email me for the inside scoop). Then I remembered Thank Heaven for Beer’s good friend, MikeLovesBeer, stating that he really needed to try this week’s beer again to test the flexibility of his palate. It seemed predestined. Kismet smiles on us all.
So this week’s Sip With Us Saturday brew of choice is Old Stock Ale by North Coast Brewing. North Coast consistently puts out quality beer. In fact even it you don’t like one of there beers or are disposed to despise a style of one of their beers, typically, you must at least admit that the product is quality. I believe the last beer reviewed on this site produced by North Coast was the refined Brother Thelonious.
Old Stock ale is the perfect cellar-able beer. With and ABV of 12.5 % (original gravity 1.1) and a powerful preservative power from the hop content (36 IBU’s), this beer will last for ages and mellow with time. I suggest picking up a four pack and stowing away two or three for a special occasion years down the road. Keep in mind, this is not a “quench your thirst beer,” but a “sip alongside my venison” beer.
Buy it. Drink it. Cellar it. Leave your two cents on the up and coming review.
Cheers!
Glad I could help. I had this last night and it was definitely different from what I remember. If I didn’t have to be in work so early this morning I would have my review posted already but will try to get that done this afternoon.
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Di you write the review already? We could always do a joint review and post the same thing on both our sites.
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It’s on my computer at home. But I would definitely be open to doing that.
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This is getting a little creepy.
Looking forward to reading both reviews. Still, from the sound of it I’m pretty sure this IPA wouldn’t be something I’d like too much due to my IPA meekness.
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This is technically not an IPA, so you might enjoy it, scott. I’ve never had it though, so I’m not promising anything. At 12.5% it’s illegal in OH, but my bottle shop made an error and put it on the shelf without realizing the ABV.
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I guess it’s a Barley-wine or something then?
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It’s not as strong on the barley as a barely wine. More malts to it and a definite presence of alcohol.
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When do you want to post these up Nate?
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Old Stock Ale is definitely NOT an IPA. It’s an example of a traditional English “Old Ale”. This style of ale is designed for sipping, not quaffing.
You can read up on the description of an Old Ale in a nice article from the Drexel University newspaper:
http://media.www.thetriangle.org/media/storage/paper689/news/2009/05/15/ArtsEntertainment/North.Coast.Brewery.Serves.Up.Old.Style.Stock.Ale-3741723.shtml
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I agree somewhat Edmundo. In fact, I drank mine at room temperature for about an hour. I do think there is a modern twist on this brew, namely the modern hops, but realize they would be subdued over time.
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