North Coast Brewing Co. (Fort Bragg, California) has officially announced the release of the 2018 vintage of its long-standing and highly regarded Old Stock Ale.

Originally brewed in 2000, the Old Stock Ale program was established by North Coast Brewing as an attempt to revive a style at a time “when the last of the classic English old ales had nearly disappeared from the market.”  Meant to celebrate both the brewing and aging traditions of Old Ales, Old Stock Ale has been “well-designed . . . with an original gravity of over 1.100 and a generous hopping rate” so that the beer will “round out and mellow with age.” Officially arriving as this brew’s 19th vintage, 2018 Old Stock Ale (12% ABV, 34 IBUs) stays true to its English roots by being brewed with “classic Maris Otter malt and Fuggles and East Kent Goldings hops, all imported from England.”

2018 Old Stock Ale is officially on shelves now and will hang around through the rest of the year.  You can expect to find this vintage ale available in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles at fine craft beer retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida, California and throughout the rest of North Coast’s distribution footprint.  Prost!

Vital Information for 2018 Old Stock Ale from North Coast Brewing Co.

Release – Year-Round/Vintage, 2018 batch arrives March 2018
Style – Old Ale
ABV – 12%
IBUs – 34
Featured Malts – Maris Otter
Featured Hops – Fuggles & East Kent Goldings
Suggested Food Pairings – “[North Coast recommends] tasting a young Old Stock with a pairing of Parmigiano-Reggiano or a classic English Cheddar like the Lincolnshire Poacher, Montgomery Cheddar or Keen’s Cheddar. Older vintages that have been cellared pair well with classic blue cheeses like an English Stilton or a Spanish Valdeon.”
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles
Beer Finder – https://northcoastbrewing.com/beers/beer-locator/