Vashon Old Stock Ale
Pacific Rim Brewing Co.

The first beer I had on a trip to Seattle, at a restaurant called Kitchen Palace. Looked good: cloudy, golden-amber color, rich in color. The smell was a little earthy, a little sweet, nothing to prepare me for the taste. Once the beer hit my lips, it was like a flavor explosion. This beer has an outstanding balance of slightly sweet, honey-flavored malts with fresh, floral, piney hops. A rich, flavorful, and acidic taste to it, with very light undertones of fruit and molassas. This beer has a full character that was not overbearing in any area of the taste: each ingredient compliments the whole. No trace of alcohol detectable. Medium body, medium carbonation. Leaves a long, dry, earthy flavor in your mouth. Very drinkable, I had one and immediately wanted another. What an introduction to the West Coast!

Came specifically to Spuyten Duyvil (from Fette Sau, across the street) to try this on my friend's recommendation. Was not disappointed. Though I can see that it has elements of an Old Ale, it's lighter, sweeter, and easier to drink than most other representatives of the style. It's almost like a Farmhouse Ale or a Saison than most of the Old Ales I've tried.

It pours a thick cloudy gold with decent head and lacing. I thought it smelled really good -- a rich blend of bready malt & honey, nicely complemented by floral and piney hops. Tastes a lot like it smells, maybe a touch too treacley (molasses thick sweetness) for the delicate hops, but very tasty. Medium body, but it goes down super easy for what I assume is a pretty strong beer. I guess now there's another west coast brewery I need to familiarize myself with. Darn.

Tried this at Floyd's bar in Seattle.

A nice, rich, deep, complex, old ale but with an easy approachability.

Appearance is hazy , murky gold color, unfiltered, with a nice thick head and nice lacing on the glass.

Aromas are bready, biscuity, malt, cookies, ginger bread with some sweet honey.

Taste is cookie/biscuity. Slightly piney/flowery hops and a touch of honey and maybe a little bit of molasses or maple syrup,

I'd never heard of this brewery before and it was the highlight of my trip. It's always great to find a diamond in the rough.

Solid offering from Pacific. Definetely my favorite of there lighter ales. Pours a nice red amber with an off white/semi-tan head that is excellent to look at. Lacing is good. The smell has hints of caramel mixed with fruity grape notes, some honeydew also detected. A slight pine note as well. The taste is a fresh sweetness of caramel and syrup, the hop citrus balances out the sweetness and cleanses the palate. Medium bodied and refreshing. Great ale.

Sampled in mid-June at the Pike Place Bar and Grill in Seattle, I don't think many people try this, as no one in the bar knew anything about it, including who brews it. And here I am, doing the first review. Hmm... Came out a clear reddish gold under 1/2 fingers of white head that stuck around and left excellent lace. The nose is mild and mainly malt. The mouth is very prickly and light. The taste is sweet malt, with a touch of plum. A bit of hops complement the malt, but never really assert themselves. A pleasant if unspectacular beer.