Old Stock Ale
North Coast Brewing Co.
- From:
- North Coast Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- Old Ale
Ranked #23 - ABV:
- 11.1%
- Score:
- 92
Ranked #6,444 - Avg:
- 4.12 | pDev: 10.44%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 1,614
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 07, 2026
- Added:
- Oct 26, 2001
- Wants:
- 207
- Gots:
- 717
SCORE
92
Outstanding
92
Outstanding
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.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by cryptichead:
Rated by cryptichead from Illinois
4/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Jun 14, 2025
4/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Jun 14, 2025
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by blueshawk69 from Kansas
3.75/5 rDev -9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev -9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
(review from January 2026) Bottled 2/13/25. See previous reviews of various vintages. Really seems to have lost it's flavorful pop in the last few years to my tastebuds? It's also kinda flat & lacking the carbonation of pre-2021 versions too. Bottling issue?
Apr 03, 2026
Rated by DoctorRobert1969 from California
3.5/5 rDev -15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
The first old ale I’ve had. Didn’t think much of it. Weird taste to me.
Dec 07, 2025
Rated by ttoadee from Texas
4.15/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.15/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
RB transfer
Aug 06, 2025
Reviewed by acerbictea from Wisconsin
3.75/5 rDev -9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev -9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 330ml bottle into a tulip. Orange marmalade bittersweetness, malty, with an aftertaste of bourbon. Pretty boozy, but a smooth and creamy mouthfeel helps keep it from being too heavy.
Jul 14, 2025
Reviewed by CoasterRider from Washington
4/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Old Stock Ale 2023. Pours an amber orange light muddy watercolor with a small head. Aroma is stone fruit, slight citrus and sweetness. Taste is the same with a touch of alcohol. Sipping on it now.
May 26, 2025Reviewed by BenjiFrank33
4.2/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.2/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Great Beer. Pours a dark hazy copper. Mouth feel is silky smooth, honestly so smooth. Very malty, very sweet, hops balance it basically perfectly. Taste is just straight up milky caramel and fruits, namely fig is what comes through for me.
I wouldn't call this a beer I'd buy over and over again, but when in the mood for a warming sweet smooth ale, this will be my go-to at nearly 11%, few beers at this ABV level can even come close to its silky smooth texture, scent, and taste.
Clearly above the rest, but not a hall of famer, unless you REALLY love this style of Ale. Either way, I enjoyed it, and will enjoy it again. Great in the evening or after hearty meal. The one thing that I just can't get over is how damn smooth it is for 11%, and the caramel flavor and smell is just dominating. Very good brew.
May 25, 2025I wouldn't call this a beer I'd buy over and over again, but when in the mood for a warming sweet smooth ale, this will be my go-to at nearly 11%, few beers at this ABV level can even come close to its silky smooth texture, scent, and taste.
Clearly above the rest, but not a hall of famer, unless you REALLY love this style of Ale. Either way, I enjoyed it, and will enjoy it again. Great in the evening or after hearty meal. The one thing that I just can't get over is how damn smooth it is for 11%, and the caramel flavor and smell is just dominating. Very good brew.
Reviewed by Sinfull from New York
4.26/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25
4.26/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25
Brown color. Thin, off-white head. Dried fruits, caramel malt, and wood in aroma. Same flavor. Malty taste with a warming finish. Heavy but balanced.
Apr 21, 2025Reviewed by hman43 from North Carolina
4.23/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.23/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Look: It pours dark amber with a tan head. Head retention is below aveage.
Smell: It has caramel aromas with dark fruits. There are also cherry and plum notes.
Taste: It is very fruity with cherries and plums up front with caramel malts as well. The alcohol is noticeable.
Feel: It has a full body that is not quite chewy, but noticably think with strong alcohol warming.
Overall, I first had this beer in 2015 and I am glad I had it again.
Oct 26, 2024Smell: It has caramel aromas with dark fruits. There are also cherry and plum notes.
Taste: It is very fruity with cherries and plums up front with caramel malts as well. The alcohol is noticeable.
Feel: It has a full body that is not quite chewy, but noticably think with strong alcohol warming.
Overall, I first had this beer in 2015 and I am glad I had it again.
Rated by oldcrustie from Canada (BC)
4.62/5 rDev +12.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.62/5 rDev +12.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a clear mahogany. Deep layers of barley malt sweetness, solidly balanced by hop bitterness. A true classic.
Sep 03, 2024
Reviewed by ivanbrew from California
5/5 rDev +21.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
5/5 rDev +21.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
From what I remember on this one, it’s kind of like slightly darkish brownish collar pretty good carbonation has that taste of bourbon, almost and prunes not a bad beer, definitely really nice for a 10%
Jul 18, 2024
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