Class Of '88 Barleywine Style Ale
North Coast Brewing Co.

Class Of '88 Barleywine Style AleClass Of '88 Barleywine Style Ale
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From:
North Coast Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
American Barleywine
ABV:
10%
Score:
86
Avg:
3.84 | pDev: 11.46%
Reviews:
80
Ratings:
403
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Aug 13, 2022
Added:
Apr 21, 2013
Wants:
  15
Gots:
  73
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Topher78:
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Rated by Topher78 from California

3.75/5  rDev -2.3%

Jun 23, 2013
More User Ratings:
Photo of RoyalT
Reviewed by RoyalT from Michigan

4.24/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Appearance – This gave off a nice, thick, golden brown in color with a decent head.

Smell – The sugars are huge at the nose, almost like an English-style example of the style, with some big herbal hopping so yeah it’s definitely an American version.

Taste – The rich malts are full of candied sugars and caramel. The hops lighten up at the taste but are still strong.

Mouthfeel – This BA is full-bodied with some nice, mild carbonation.

Drinkability – This is one smooth 10 ABV Barleywine.
Aug 13, 2022
Photo of oldcrustie
Reviewed by oldcrustie from Canada (BC)

4.21/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pretty in the glass and on the tongue. Reminiscent of their Old Stock Ale, but rounder. I originally acquired 2 bottles in 2013 and cracked the first in 2019 and recall it being big, fruity and malty. This second one has the complexity on the palate that one would hope for from a big beer aged in the bottle for 9 years, however at its heart it’s an American barleywine - big malt and big hops. Delicious. Now I wish that I had acquired 3 bottles- haha.
May 18, 2022
 
Rated: 4.02 by cd34 from Illinois

Nov 18, 2021
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Rated by pathman from Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
06/02/20 bottle @ home
Jun 02, 2020
 
Rated: 4 by 1971bernat from Virginia

Apr 05, 2020
 
Rated: 3.77 by InfernoBoss from California

Mar 08, 2020
Photo of EMV
Reviewed by EMV from Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a cork'n'cage bomber into a Dogfish Head tulip

L: Hazed caramel colored pour. Thin white head... very modest lacing.

S: Sweet. Brown sugar, caramel, toffee, and earthy hops.

T.F: Follows the nose. Sweet up front. Caramel and brown sugar... earth and spice with modestly bitter hops. A little pine mixed in. Bread and belgian candy sugar. Slightly boozy and a bit warming. Medium bodied.

O: A solid collaboration effort and a nice take on the American Barleywine. A flavorful sipper.
Dec 15, 2019
 
Rated: 3.25 by dannycohen62 from Illinois

Apr 17, 2019
 
Rated: 3.94 by sohearn from Alabama

Jan 15, 2019
Photo of jlindros
Reviewed by jlindros from Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours a decent fizzy foamy head decent lacing and retention, hazy reddish orange color

Nose big sweet candy malt, candy reddish sweet candy apple, big caramel, hint of alcohol, big spicy hops, fruity esters apple raisin and touch pineapple

Taste big sweet candy malt, big caramel, reddish candy, toffee, little nutty, sweet candy apple, fruity esters little apple, raisin, pineapple, big spicy hops, fair bitterness, but balanced, finish mild sweet, not too sticky, hint of warming alcohol, big spicy hops

Mouth is fuller bod, decent although lighter carb, very light alcohol

Overall nice balance, big candy sweetness but balanced with big spicy hops, would like to see some barrel aging
Dec 31, 2018
 
Rated: 4.13 by NolaHopHead from Louisiana

Jun 11, 2018
 
Rated: 4.03 by khargro2 from Tennessee

May 26, 2018
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Reviewed by DrewSnyc667 from Massachusetts

3.8/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A - Deep amber, almost dark brown ale like, with a robust head. Good lacing.

S - Alcohol, funky basement, sweet grape-wine, honey.

T - Astringent stone fruits, caramel, molasses.

M - Hoping cleans the palate nicely.

O - A tasty treat after 5 years of aging. Wish I had a chance to try it fresh for comparison.
Mar 09, 2018
 
Rated: 3.96 by Thirstygoat from Illinois

Feb 04, 2018
 
Rated: 3.84 by Ochs0314 from Virginia

Dec 15, 2017
 
Rated: 4.45 by Bajdog from Maryland

Nov 29, 2017
 
Rated: 3.83 by MickeyHops from California

Aug 18, 2017
 
Rated: 3.59 by Stinger80OH from Ohio

Jul 24, 2017
Photo of Brutaltruth
Reviewed by Brutaltruth from Ohio

3.92/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
From the 750 ml bottle in a snifter. This beefy little beast pours a nice lightly
cloudy deep amber with a nice head of off white foam that settles to a thick ring, thin
pooling layer, and showcases some nice sticky lacing. Nose of hefty alcohol, subtle
cherry notes, brown sugars, woodsy hops, and dates. Flavors follow the nose with light
notes of dates and cherries layered with sticky woodsy pine laden hops dashed with brown sugars
wrangling in the moderately aggressive hop notes with subtle dark breaded notes that fade
away into a warming booze finish. Decent mouth feel; medium light searing carbonation,
medium body that is lightly sticky, and a warming lightly dry and hoppy finish.

Overall, a decent little barley wine.

Cheers
Jul 22, 2017
Class Of '88 Barleywine Style Ale from North Coast Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 403 ratings