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Old Stock Ale

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Winey aromas and vinous fruit mark this mahogany Old Ale at 11.1% ABV and 34 IBU. Like a fine port, it is meant to be laid down: an original gravity above 1.100 and a generous hopping rate help it round out and mellow with age. Maris Otter malt and Fuggles and East Kent Goldings hops, all imported from England, go into the brew. Silver at the 2001 Great American Beer Festival.

ABV
11.1%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter34 IBU
SRM
deep amber15
PaceSipper

AWARDS

Silver · 2001
Great American Beer Festival
Old Ale/Strong Ale
Bronze · 2003
Great American Beer Festival
Old Ale/Strong Ale
★Silver — Great American Beer Festival (Old Ale/Strong Ale)
★Bronze — Great American Beer Festival (Old Ale/Strong Ale)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
fruitynoble hopdark fruit
fruity
noble hop
dark fruit
malty
caramel
Aroma
Winey and vinous fruit notes dominate the nose, accompanied by subtle English hop character—earthy and refined rather than aggressive.
not found:hoppy,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Old Stock Ale

◎ Appearance

Deep mahogany hue with excellent clarity and a rich, persistent head that leaves fine lacing around the glass. The beer presents itself with dignified depth and moderate carbonation, befitting its vinous character and high alcohol content.

mahoganyclearpersistent headlaced

◌ Aroma

Winey and vinous fruit notes dominate the nose, accompanied by subtle English hop character—earthy and refined rather than aggressive. Underlying Maris Otter malt brings soft toasted grain and a hint of dried stone fruit, creating an aromatic profile that suggests careful cellaring potential.

wineydried fruitEnglish noble hopstoasted grain

◐ Taste

The palate is full and smooth, with dark fruit and boozy warmth integrated seamlessly into a complex malt foundation. Noble hop bitterness is restrained at 34 IBU, allowing the vinous character and caramel sweetness to develop across the mid-palate without harsh edges. The alcohol presence is evident but well-cushioned by the beer's richness.

dark fruitboozy warmthmalty richnessbalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is long and warming, with lingering notes of dark fruit and a subtle hop dryness that encourages contemplation. The alcohol heat provides a graceful fade that invites further sips rather than overwhelming.

warming fadelingering fruitcontemplative
87
hopIQ score
Aroma
86
Taste
88
Appearance
85
Finish
86
Serve at 12–16°C

Serve at 12–16°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Old Stock Ale

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About Old Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Old Ale?

Old Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Old Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same fruity, boozy, noble-hop character as Old Stock Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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