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Re: beer thread (BEER NEWS)
#13736 06/24/04 11:18 PM
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Well, last night I plunked down almost $10 for a 4-pack (count 'em -- FOUR) of North Coast Old Stock Ale, vintage 2003.

Vintage, for a beer, you ask???

Well, the box says this beer will improve with age and recommends cellaring it for a year or more! Have a look at the brewery's description:

As a continuation of North Coast Brewing Co.'s commitment to quality, our Old Stock Ale is crafted in the tradition of our critically acclaimed Pranqster Belgian Style Golden Ale and Old Rasputin Imperial Stout. It's brewed with classic floor-malted Maris Otter Pale Malt and Fuggles Hops imported from England, so it's a beer to be served proudly.

Like a fine wine, North Coast's Old Stock Ale is intended to be laid down. With an original gravity of over 1100 and a generous hopping rate, Old Stock Ale is well-designed to round-out and mellow with age.

We know it's hard to believe that this exquisite beer can actually improve, but trust us. The waiting can be an excellent exercise in self-discipline and the reward is built in. It's been vintage dated so you'll know how long the clock has been running (of course the Solomon-like approach would be to buy some for now and some for later).

We suggest a year's cellaring to let the complex flavors develop, but the longer you wait, the greater the drinking enjoyment.

For maximum enjoyment do not serve this beer cold. To fully appreciate the complex flavors we recommend serving Old Stock Ale at room temperature. This release is limited to 1200 cases.


This may just be the most complex beer I've ever tasted. Definitely a sipper, and it really does taste better at room temperature, too.

Re: beer thread (BEER NEWS)
#13737 06/24/04 11:32 PM
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axiomite
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axiomite
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Hey Peter. Where does North Coast Old Stock Ale come from. I ask, because so many businesses in my area call themselves North Coast "this," and North Coast "that."

Yuh see, we're on the southern shore of Lake Erie, and across the lake is that foreign country, Canada. So, that means we're on the North Coast of the United States. Isn't that clever? Of course that's true for the southern shores of Lake Superior, Huron, and Ontario as well as Erie. So conceivably, North Coast Old Stck Ale could be from anywhere between Minnesota and New York.


Jack

"People generally quarrel because they cannot argue." - G. K. Chesterton
Re: beer thread (BEER NEWS)
#13738 06/24/04 11:34 PM
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http://www.northcoastbrewing.com

This brewery is in California, so North Coast means it's north of San Francisco, basically.

Re: beer thread (BEER NEWS)
#13739 06/24/04 11:34 PM
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axiomite
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So much for my logic. LOL


Jack

"People generally quarrel because they cannot argue." - G. K. Chesterton
Re: beer thread (BEER NEWS)
#13740 06/25/04 02:26 AM
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I've had several different bottle conditioned ales before and they were all better a year after I bought them than the day I bought them. Don't wait too long though (ie, 2 or 3 years), and don't let them sit at room temperature. If your choices are refrigerated or 70s-80s, go with refrigerated (although 50s is really ideal.) It really does round out and mature the flavors in the beer. The beer I'm fermenting in my basement as we speak is going to sit in bottles for a few months before I drink it (except a bottle or two of course...I'm not that patient)


[black]-"The further we go and older we grow, the more we know, the less we show."[/black]
Re: beer thread (BEER NEWS)
#13741 06/25/04 02:41 AM
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T
axiomite
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T
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Bottle-conditioned is absolutely key to cellaring beer. You must have live yeast in the bottle in order to age a beer, and it must be strong (and preferably also quite hoppy). And you have to be prepared for "change", which is not to everyone's taste "improvement". Oxidization WILL occur, and not everyone fully appreciates the sherry-like notes imparted.

But yeah, those North Coast beers rule.


bibere usque ad hilaritatem
Re: beer thread (BEER NEWS)
#13742 06/25/04 04:32 AM
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I discovered through years of homebrewing, and reading about homebrewing, that live beers can mellow and improve with aging BUT...
-not at warm temps!!!
-not for too long
-and, if you're going to serve them cold, let them sit in the frig for 1-2 weeks.

That last bit is true of any live beer. Letting it sit in the frig for a week or two will encourage more yeast to fall out of suspension and hibernate at the bottom. As a result, the beer will be smooother and cleaner. It seems hop oils and husk proteins like to cling to the little yeast cells. The more cells in your glass, the more astringency you will taste. Pour smoothly and all at once to avoid pouring the yeast pack into your glass.

BTW, that Pranqster is not to my liking. I'm tasting hefeweizen malt liquor when I drink it.


Re: beer thread (BEER NEWS)
#13743 06/25/04 07:20 PM
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I might have to buy some more and keep it hidden in the back of my closet, where the temp is pretty constantly cool -- probably around high 50s to 60ish. Is that too warm? If so, then the fridge will have to do. Also, should I lay them down or keep them vertical -- any diff?

Re: beer thread (BEER NEWS)
#13744 06/25/04 08:39 PM
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High 50s to 60 should be fine. Not sure if it matters but I would store it upright to help it clarify.


[black]-"The further we go and older we grow, the more we know, the less we show."[/black]
Re: beer thread (BEER NEWS)
#13745 06/25/04 08:58 PM
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What if I have a centrifuge?

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