Old #38 Stout
North Coast Brewing Co.

Old #38 StoutOld #38 Stout
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From:
North Coast Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
Irish Dry Stout
Ranked #35
ABV:
5.4%
Score:
86
Ranked #18,347
Avg:
3.84 | pDev: 10.68%
Reviews:
679
Ratings:
1,313
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 10, 2024
Added:
Oct 18, 2001
Wants:
  79
Gots:
  100
Dublin Dry Stout named for a retired California Western Railroad steam engine on the Fort Bragg to Willits run through the Redwoods, Old No. 38 Stout is a smooth, firm-bodied stout with the toasted character and coffee notes of dark malts and roasted barley. 53 IBUs
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by moundbz:
Photo of moundbz
Rated by moundbz from North Dakota

4.28/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
smooth, roasted coffee alcohol taste
Nov 02, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.12 by travelguy from Ohio

Mar 10, 2024
Photo of Brutaltruth
Reviewed by Brutaltruth from Ohio

3.94/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From the 12 oz bottle in a snifter. This classic pours a dark murky brownish
black with a nice head of tan foam that subsides to a thick ring, thin dusty layer,
and sports some nice light lacing. Nose of dark bakers cocoa, char, roast, earthy
malts, spicy hops, and subtle coffee. Flavors remind me why I have sought after it
for so many years now. Dark bitter cocoa, dark coffee, earthy malts, spicy herbal hops,
and moderate char. Mouth feel is medium full, medium light carbonation, smooth,
lightly coating, and finishing with a bitter malt and balanced herbal hop note.

Overall, a great little straight up stout.

Of note, reminds me of the old Elevator Brewing stout which was at the time
served with a spent dried hop on the top. Good memories!

Cheers
Mar 08, 2024
 
Rated: 4.11 by jason_nwx from Oregon

Feb 28, 2024
Photo of TheBricenator
Reviewed by TheBricenator from Oregon

3.97/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Look: Pours dark as night with a lofty tan head that erupts to the rim and slowly settles to a pillow, leaving nice lacing behind

Aroma: Roasted barley, toasted bread crust, warmed bread, earthiness, chocolate, and coffee

Taste: Mimics the nose well as it starts with roast and earthiness that linger for a moment before bread and toasted bread join the fun. Chocolate and coffee peek in occasionally throughout before roast closes it out with light earthy notes

Mouthfeel: Full, smooth, medium-high carbonation, and robust on the finish with moderate dryness

Overall: This is some tasty stuff. I was admittedly pumped to hear these folks were brining this beer back as I hadn’t had nor seen it in over 15 years, so was an easy grab when I spotted it. A delicious and bold stout with a nice contrast between the chocolate and coffee versus the roast and earthiness that keeps the balance of this beer in check. Fun to try an old classic and worth grabbing if you see it
Feb 19, 2024
Photo of DoctorRobert1969
Reviewed by DoctorRobert1969 from California

3.75/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
I mean…it’s fine. Pretty good. North Coast quality. More like a porter to me. But not necessarily something I would go crazy about. But fine. Did I say fine?
Jan 27, 2024
 
Rated: 4 by shigg85 from Japan

May 16, 2023
 
Rated: 4.5 by MEnoMoney

May 14, 2023
Photo of RaulMondesi
Reviewed by RaulMondesi from California

4/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Well, I’ll be hornswoggled - I’ve never reviewed this beer? It’s like a priest telling you that he’s read the entire Bible, but just not Genesis. Really? But apparently this “really” is real for Raul. And…?

Imagine a cowboy retiring… He’s hopped off his horse for the last time; walks into his log cabin to kiss his battle ax of a wife, and then jumps on the first steamer to the nearest brothel. That’s Old No. 38 for Raul.

Choo choo!
Apr 10, 2023
 
Rated: 4.53 by rpmello81 from California

Mar 18, 2023
 
Rated: 4.52 by Beecham from California

Jan 31, 2023
 
Rated: 3.58 by Haybeerman from Colorado

Nov 03, 2022
 
Rated: 4 by Fettpopps from Massachusetts

Jul 29, 2022
Photo of Pivopijak
Rated by Pivopijak from Washington

3.92/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
draught
Very dark auburn, with frothy tan head. Light, dark roast aroma. Light, dark roast grain flavor.
May 19, 2022
Photo of maddogruss
Reviewed by maddogruss from New Jersey

3.58/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured this from a bottle.
A: pours dark brown body with a tan head with nice retention and lacing
S: sweet, meaty and somewhat toasty notes
T: pretty sweet, almost juice like; toasted toffee notes with some sweet undertones; some alcohol notes
M: medium bodied and pretty smooth; ok overall
D: nice feel and taste combo; ok; not too bad overall
May 09, 2022
 
Rated: 4.09 by jmbeerdude91 from Arizona

Feb 28, 2022
 
Rated: 4.37 by beerrat from Virginia

Feb 28, 2022
Photo of pkalix
Reviewed by pkalix from California

3.68/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
i mean, there's NO F DATE on the bottle which is criminal in this day and age, not to mention how long theyve been in business and it doesnt list the abv. it just says "stout" so you're left wondering if it's 11% or 9%.... but aside from that bad taste in the mouth, it's alright...
Feb 27, 2022
Photo of Christianriveraaa
Reviewed by Christianriveraaa

4.47/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Look: Dark black - midnight color with about a centimeter length of foam. Foam is sticking to the glass as it dissolves into the liquid.
Smell: Chocolatey malty smell with a subtle hint of coffee in the end.
Taste: Definitely sweet smooth chocolate notes along with malt aromas in the end. Very surprising, actually really amazing for a dry stout.
Feel: light to medium carbonation on the tongue. Very smooth to drink!
Overall: I can definitely see myself buying this beer again the next time I go to the store. I'm a huge stout drinker but this marks top 5 in my book - I've tried many stouts and this one is very good. Definitely recommend it.
Feb 22, 2022
 
Rated: 4.03 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota

Nov 23, 2021
Old #38 Stout from North Coast Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 1313 ratings