Stock Ale
Hair Of The Dog Brewing Company

On-tap @ Rattle N Hum West in New York, NY.

Billed as a "Mild Ale aged in brandy barrels." At 10% ABV, I fail to see how this resembles anything close to an English Mild. Maybe an Old Ale, but not a Mild.

The beer arrives ruby red and bright, with a slight haze and large bubbles on top to form a small head. The aroma is straight up brandy and foreshadows what's about to come. Strong notes of vanilla, oak, and alcohol.

Unfortunately, it all falls apart upon tasting. Brandy is all I could pick out in the flavor. No malt, no hops, no yeast. Mouthfeel is thin and does not have enough body to properly convey the heat from the alcohol. Regardless, I drank the whole glass. It wasn't a struggle, but it was more in line with sipping on a liquor than drinking a beer.

I just had my first Hair of the Dog beer (Adam) the week prior and that was a fantastic beer. Stock Ale did not live up to expectations, but the strong ABV had me feeling good as we headed a few blocks south to MSG for the Radiohead show.

 

a brandy barrel aged english strong ale from what i understand. its amazingly delicious, creative, and original. the nose is green apples all the way, i really get the apple brandy and oak, this must have spent some real time in there. its got a cool malt profile too, although quite a bit lighter in color than anticipated, it still has a nice caramelized grain thing going on, which loves the apple brandy treatment, very autumnal and festive. the brandy leads the way on the flavor, the house high gravity yeast is also on display here, bready and loosely english in this manifestation. very strong, fusel alcohol abounds, and it almost wrinkles or recoils my tongue on each sip, like a shot of liquor might. texturally interesting from the grain too, this mush have been one heck of a monster mash! remarkably well carbonated for a beer in this style, very alive and fresh tasting too from the apples. they had it on the menu as stock ale from the wood apple brandy, but based on the other reviewer here, i think this is the right listing for the beer, like maybe all the stock ale gets this treatment. either way, its stunning.

 

On tap at Belmont. A brandy barrel aged mild.

Mildly hazy light orange with a thin white head that fades off leaving little lacing. The nose is a big boozy brandy character with honey, caramel, French toast, vanilla, raisins, fruity and sweet. Alcohol is noticeable. The base beer is reminiscent of Fred from the wood. The palate is loaded with vanilla, raisins, caramel, honey, bready malt. So much like the 08 Fred FTW with it's big vanilla and oak. Sweet finish, long with honey, vanilla and brandy. Delicious.