North Coast Old Stock Ale Cellar Reserve 2013

This 14.1% ABV beer takes the Old Ale from the North Coast Brewing Company of Fort Bragg, California, and ages it in bourbon barrels.  This is the 2013 vintage.

The beer pours a cloudy dark brown. There is more fizzing carbonation and head than I expected. The beige head bubbles down fairly quickly. The aroma is dark dried fruits, raisins, figs, dates, moist leaves of aged tobacco, sherry, port, whiskey, while sitting on a leather couch. This beer is an English gentelman’s man cave from the 1920’s. Brown sugar, and a bit of vanilla and old damp barrel creep in. The taste is round and warm, dark sugars, bourbon, tobacco, dark fruits. The finish is spicy and dry. There is warming booze from lips to stomach. It has a fine, effervescent carbonation that adds to the smoothness. This is a delightful sipper.