Old Stock Ale

North Coast Brewing Co.

It is with great shame that I must admit to you that I am very drunk as I write this. Like Hemingway drunk. So much for professionalism, eh? Or is intoxication part of a beer reviewer's professional development? Anyway, I don't think you should hold it against me. The reason I'm so drunk is that I discovered North Coast Brewing Co.'s Old Stock Ale tonight while drinking at the Alibi Room. At 12.5% alcohol, this beer is not for lightweights. It's a tough guy's way to end an evening of drinking. Don't believe me? Then how do you explain why I want to fight you so bad right now?

When it came, I gave it a long whiff. It smelled of caramel. And alcohol. The head disappeared quickly, but the beer had plenty of carbonation.

The taste is big and sweet. Caramel again: heavy, sweet and truly wonderful. The warm alcohol rises up slowly and takes you by the hand. It makes you understand. It wraps you in its dizzy arms. You feel safe there. Like a child. A little drunk child. You sip it slowly because, even in its disorienting grip, you're sure that this is the only sane way to drink it. When you are done, you want more. Your friends talk you out of it. You resent them now, but you will thank them later.

I can't say enough about this beer, or about this brewery. They pretty much own this blog. deebag hasn't had it yet, but he'll agree. Or I don't know deebag. And I know him pretty well, get it?

So you won't be surprised when I give this beer an enthusiastic:

A