Historically, a Stock Beer would be made from the first run off of a parti-gyle brew, a process that would create beers of gradually lowering strength from one single brew. Since they were so strong they were aged in barrels until they mellowed thanks to the naturally occurring Brettanomyces (British fungus!) and lactobacillus. Stock Beers were then occasionally blended with younger beers to create blends such as “Three Threads” ( a mix of pale, mild and stock ales). 📚 🤓 🍺
This particular version brewed by Albion Brewery is a stock version of their Lait de Dragon, which was adapted from a 1830 recipe for a XXX Ale.
What is a triple X ale?
You are probably not thinking about something elese here. Originally, the « XXX » label was shorthand used by brewers in the 18th and 19th centuries to indicate strenght. The more Xs, the stronger the beer! A simple, but very meaningful measure at a time where beer was a key staple of ordinary life, and an extremely contentious source of government revenue – all that based on alcohol content.
A single X would have been a relatively light ale (or small beer), while XXX marked something hefty in both alcohol and body. These beers were malt-forward, big, and nourishing, intended as a robust drink for colder months or for export, where strength helped ensure stability over long journeys.
So when you see Albion drawing inspiration from an 1830 XXX Ale, you’re essentially looking at a nod to the rich, strong stock ales of the period. What makes their version interesting is that instead of releasing it “mild” and young as was common then, they’ve opted for aging, which layers in those complex Brett and oak characters. In that sense, it straddles the line between history and reinterpretation—faithful to its roots in strength, but updated with patience and barrel time. 🕰️🪵🍷
Stock Ale : Overall style review
Originally this sort of strong beer was made for drinking young, but they have instead aged it for 6 months in barrels turning it into a “Middle Keeping Beer.”
The aging is evidenced in the colour change from the original beer. The original beer pours a brighter orange whereas this pours a deeper, ruddier amber suggesting the barrel character it has taken on. Indeed, it boasts some delicate Brett notes with a complex mix some lightly vinous aromas, raisins and dates atop a ton of rich caramel.
A hint of spice lingers too, alongside some subtle oakiness. The palate is similar, with abundance of deep, rich caramel, toffee and molasses notes accented by a delicate fruitiness. Nothing is overwhelming or cloying, however, but instead beautifully balanced by the oaky tannins which lend a nice dryness that makes this hefty beer surprisingly easy to drink.
Mike Davis came to Quebec ten years ago to pursue his studies in history. Mike holds a PhD in history from McGill University but works in the beer industry as a brand ambassador for Microbrasserie 4 Origines.
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