North Coast Old Stock Ale Cellar Reserve 2014 Rye Whiskey Barrel Aged

This 13.75% ABV beer takes the Old Stock Ale from the North Coast Brewing Company of Fort Bragg, California, and ages it in rye whiskey barrels.  This is the 2014 vintage.

The beer pours ruby and garnet, dark brown. There is a short head of tan foam. The aroma is spicy rye whiskey, brown sugar, molasses, with a bit of dark fruits in the background. The taste follows the aromas, malty, some dark roast, sweet brown sugar and molasses, rye whiskey, with just enough oak to prevent a too sweet finish. The beer drinks smooth with fine and tingling carbonation. It is interesting how much more roasted and dark this beer is compared to the wheat whiskey aged and the regular Old Stock Ale.