North Coast Old Stock Cellar Reserve Brandy Barrel

Formerly brewed at North Coast Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
Fort Bragg, California USA

Bottle:   Burnt caramel in color, thin sudsy biege head, sparce lacing.   Its 2005 so I would think that it might appear a little still.   Alcoholic nose, certainly some Brandy, a little sweet Honeycomb, chocolate, and some dates.   Sweet malty start.   Not alcoholic but extremely warming.   Some Brandy aspects, otherwise minor wood notes.   Certianly tasty, but not as complex as i would have thought.   Chocolate and fig notes arent really coming through.   Entertaining sure, but needs something else.   Body and mouthfeel are moderate to full.   Sweet warming finish.   Its like an uber Honeycomb like of flavor.   Good, but missing something.

Brown. Beige head. Light booze, caramel, oak, and honey. Rich and sweet flavor. Brandy barrel adds a complex sweet flavor. I get oak, toffee, brown sugar, dried fruit and a warming from the alcohol. Great.

[375] A reddish brown tone to the brew and a surprising amount of carbonation but it goes away fast. A rich and complex aroma, vanilla, sweet, malty, alcohol, some sherry like qualities. Sweet with hints of vanilla and caramel, brandy and dark fruits that I like so much. It’s smooth and medium bodied and it’s finish is warm and the alcohol lingers a good bit in your mouth. This beer is really complex and it’s got lot’s of qualities that I like. but it is definitely a sipper. This beer was courtesy of Naven. Thanks man - it’s a rare treat and I appreciate it a lot.

[2005 Bottle] shared by Timbeer and acquired through Naven, thanks to all parties involved! Pours a cloudy chestnut brown with a soapy but quickly dissipating caramel colored head and killer legs. Aroma is chocolate, peppery alcohol, sweet dark fruits, brandy and old oak, caramel, raisins, and toffee. Flavor is super rich and complex. Some butterscotch really comes through initially from the brandy, lots of burnt sugars, peppery alcohol, light sherry-like oxidation, light but lively carbonation, slight chalkiness with a remarkably dry finish. The beer is still quite hot, but it blends well with the spice notes of the beer. I’m also surprised with the small amount of oxidation given the age. Good stuff.

5 oz (probably less) courtesy of Adrian. Syrupy aroma of dark fruit, molasses, maple syrup, and brown sugar. Flavour is the same as the aroma. Flavorful sweet dates, plums, raisins, and prunes, molasses, brandy, and brown sugar.

Bottle - Josh (StFun) brought this because he is an awesome dude - Aroma is loaded with chocolate, caramel, alcohol with a nice vanilla finish. Flavor is good and better than aroma. The oak is apparent and complements the great caramel flavor of the base beer. Palate is smooth and the alcohol is gone. Wow everything I expected. Simply a fantastic beer.

Got to try a bottle of this this past weekend thanks to "hannont". Colour... medium brown with no head. Based on the looks, I wasn’t thinking much, but then.....the nose.... sweet! Loads of caramel and toffee with just a hint of brandy. Palate... light CO2, light amber maple sirup, treacle, boiled molasses, Christmas cake, sailor jack, and a smidgen of brandy on the loooooooong finish.

Barley Wine tasting compliments of Hophead22. Rating #177. Appearance of swampy butt water with no head, very cloudy. Aroma had nice vanilla, oak, and alcohol. Taste was similar to aroma with some caramel and brandy. Medium nice carbonation. Overall I really liked this one. Very good stuff.