Old No. 38 Stout Keeps on Rollin'

Now that I'm finally over my head cold and I can smell again, its time for another stout review. Today we'll take a look at North Coast Brewing Co.'s Old No. 38 Stout. Opened in 1988 in Fort Bragg, California, North Coast is one of the early west coast micros. The late, great Michael Jackson once said that it was "possibly the best stout made in America." Pretty big billing for a little 5.5%, 53 IBU Irish Dry Stout.

Pours nearly black with a ruby edge and a frothy tan head. Aroma has hints of coffee, cocoa, and some citric hops. Not an overwhelming nose, but a pleasant one. Dry roasted notes with a touch of figs and chocolate in the middle that leads into a dry finish with touch of a citric tanginess to it. Flavor fades fast with little to no aftertaste. There's enough carbonation to to give a creamy mouth feel thats a little on the light side.

Best stout in America? Probably not, but this is a good sipping stout that would make a nice session beer. Grades out at a solid B-plus. Now, I wonder if I can find this on tap somewhere?