North Coast Old No. 38 Stout

Brewed by North Coast Brewing Company
Style: Dry Stout
Fort Bragg, California USA

Yet another outstanding beer from North Coast Brewing. While I haven’t had North Coast’s entire portfolio, everything that I have drank so far has been absolutely divine.
Old No. 38 pours a rich velvety black with a thin layer of cappuccino colored foam on top which slowly fades into a ring around the edge of my stout glass. Toasty malts, chocolate, and nuts greet my nose before slaking my thirst as I take my first quaff. A very smooth, creamy mouthfeel full of rich, dry dark chocolate, sweet toasty malts, and a hint of nuts. A very dry stout, each quaff leaves a nice arid bitterness throughout. A good example of the classic dry stout which Guinness has made famous. As I swirl my glass to release more vapors and nose, a rich cappuccino head forms each time, keeping the nose and palate alive. Old No. 38 has a light lemon bitter bite near the back, but it is the dark chocolate, nuts, and malts which rain supreme. A full body, but pleasantly light and easy to drink. A bit more into my beer, I notice some raisin notes in the nose and palate. A pleasant addition to the overall well-balanced flavor profile. As I finish Old No. 38, I am left with a pleasantly mild dry sensation, lingering dark chocolate, malts, and nuts rounding into a mild bitter lemon nip.
For a dry stout, I would rate Old No. 38 from North Coast right up there with Guinness, if not a bit better. A delectable delight and a perfect pairing for some cool seafood fare such as fresh clams or oysters.

Pours a black/dark brown with a one or two finger creamy tan head. The nose is earthy, slightly sweet, rich, molasses, caramel, chocolate. The flavor is chocolaty, crisp, dry, caramel, very sharp flavor, lightly roasty. The mouthfeel is pretty sharp and dry, alcohol shows slightly.

Bottle, black pour small brown head. Aromas of toasted malt, roasted coffee, and some very dark chocolate. Flavor is coffee and some chocolate. Very dry and chalky, but the mouthfeel is still pretty nice. Again I find that I can pass on the dry stouts for the most part.

Dark mahogany pour with a stiff khaki head. Aromas of slow-roasted coffee, bitter chocolate, and vanilla. Flavors aren’t as aggressive as with other stouts but are pleasant. No really off tastes...a good solid session stout (if there is such a thing).

12 oz bottle. Black with a tan head. Roasty aroma with some coffee and chocolate hints. Dry roasted flavors. Very dry finish. Smooth mouthfeel. Good stout.

Color of strong black coffee... the inch-plus sand dune head is thick and firm. Roasty aroma with hints of sweet cherry, wet iron, and cocoa. Roasty and bittersweet flavor, faint coppery and old milk taste. As the long espresso bean and sunflower seed aftertaste fades, a tin can flavor becomes annoyingly persistent. Creamy, lightish mouthfeel, which is appropriate to the style. By the end of the glass, the foam still remains, undiminished in size. A decent Irish dry with metallic off-flavors.

12 oz. bottle. Pours a black color, which proves to be a dark brown when held up to the light . 1/2" tan head with some rings of lace. Aroma is roasted malt with some minor coffee notes. Smooth dry palate. Flavor is roasted malt with coffee & bitter bakers chocolate. An average dry stout.

12 oz. bottle from a Cost Plus "Beers around the World" type of box. Low expectations, especially after some of the drain pours in the box. Dark pour with latte colored head that left just the smallest but firm lace patch. Scent is dark roast malt and coffee(nuts? caramel?). Smoother scent than I expected. First taste impression is deeper, richer, and more of a full flavor than I would have guessed. Doesn’t fill up the mouth like a really good stout does though, at least what I think of in a GOOD stout. Bitter finish. A bit tinny? Left the mouth drier than I like from a beer this dark. I want that salivation that just won’t stop. Getting better as it warms, however. I think I might be generous with this score. I’m decently buzzed, and maybe just being nice damnit. Do I have to buy this beer again, just to rate it? It doesn’t hold a candle to Stone or Port or AleSmith or Lost Abbey. No, I ain’t buying it again.