Third Coast Old Ale - Bell's Brewery, Inc.

Miketwolf21

Minnesota

4.18/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Why do appearances account for twenty percent. What is an ugly beer? And wouldn't we be biased towards clarity and color other than brown. Some of the best beers are brown. Brown is a bastard of a color. But who cares.
Bottled 11/9/2010 (3 months old)
There was plenty of carbonation to reveal warming plum brandy and nice caramel malts. This is complimented by the smell of sweet bread. The spicy hops hide underneath.
The flavor is exactly as it smells. Very well integrated flavors. Almost too well integrated... But there is a really delicious flavor of sharp aged cheddar cheese. Seriously. See if I am just crazy or if that is true. A little too sweet but that means that you just don't drink too much and you pair it with food. I have not had an aged third coast, but this tastes plenty balanced already. I feel as though it may become too much of a malt bomb if I let it sit. But I do love malt bombs...
Mouthfeel is great. A very rich and chewy body, without being too syrupy. Thank god.
This does however best enjoyed one at a time. The heavy sweet tooth this beer has maybe too much after a couple.

I went through this six pack in 3 months and found it to be the best six pack barleywine/old ale other than Hibernation Ale by Great Divide. This is a great malt bomb however

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2011 18:13:38 | More by Miketwolf21

t_carterb

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%

06-19-2013 16:01:00 | More by t_carterb

cfrances33

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -9.2%

06-18-2013 17:34:25 | More by cfrances33

Rave

California

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%

06-15-2013 13:54:54 | More by Rave

rgilbert

New Jersey

3/5  rDev -27.4%

06-14-2013 15:31:03 | More by rgilbert

abcramer

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -3.1%

06-12-2013 20:50:00 | More by abcramer

scottiethebody

California

4/5  rDev -3.1%

06-12-2013 05:26:46 | More by scottiethebody

pinnser

Colorado

4/5  rDev -3.1%

06-11-2013 23:26:40 | More by pinnser

jarrgal

North Dakota

4/5  rDev -3.1%

06-10-2013 11:59:37 | More by jarrgal

bboymouse

Florida

4.26/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Bought in late May as Total Wine was trying to clear their old stock.

It had great carbonation, poured into a pint glass. Smelled very sweet right off the bat.

As far as taste and mouthfeel was concerned, it was extremely drinkable, no way to tell it's over 10%. Not nearly that overpowering alcohol smell or taste that comes with some barleywines.

It drinks easy but very sweet on the finish, although a malty sweetness as opposed to an alcohol-y sweet. It was very good.

As this is my first review, I apologize for the brevity, I hope to be able to produce more detailed descriptions in the future.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2013 00:35:11 | More by bboymouse

Igotmypistola

California

3.61/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Decent little brew. pretty standard.

Little thin and bitter. which is funny because i keep expecting it to end sweet. almost no sweetness, which i didnt like at first but its growing on me. (or maybe thats just the booze talking)

Nice head retention and lacing. Looks better than it tastes. Leaves a sort of unpleasant taste on the tongue.

meh

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2013 05:43:06 | More by Igotmypistola

DeutschesBier

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%

06-07-2013 14:22:30 | More by DeutschesBier

savagepm

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -15.3%

06-06-2013 00:55:44 | More by savagepm

jibjib513

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +9%

06-05-2013 01:53:40 | More by jibjib513

wyatt13

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Bottled on date of 4/6/2012, so it's about 14 months old at this point. Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a snifter.

A - Pours a caramelized, reddish-amber color. Only about half of a finger of off-white head emerges, and even that fades away within seconds. Remnants of sticky lacing, which surprises me given the overall lack of foam.

S - Deep caramelly sweetness, with a definite presence of dark fruits. There is also a mild spiciness, reminiscent of raisins or almost like a bread pudding. Still some bitter hop aromas present as well, but they are definitely taking a back seat here.

T - The taste largely follows the smell, but with an even more pronounced emphasis on the sweetness. A very pleasant saccharine quality from the caramelized malts transitions to a bit of a boozy alcohol aftertaste that has a pleasant warming finish.

M - A relatively full mouthfeel, with more carbonation than the appearance would let on. A finish that straddles the line between sticky and dry that is more drinkable than the 10.2% ABV should allow.

O - Although I have never had this beer fresh, I highlight recommend it with a little over a year of age on it. This brew is very balanced, with a sweet & slightly boozy mix that will be enjoyed for at least the next hour of sipping.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2013 01:48:10 | More by wyatt13

rturn2

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%

06-01-2013 21:42:32 | More by rturn2

sodensp

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -9.2%

05-30-2013 04:52:00 | More by sodensp

mpayne5

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev +9%

05-28-2013 01:53:54 | More by mpayne5

DanGeo

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%

05-28-2013 00:46:50 | More by DanGeo

BrewBoyR

Missouri

3.9/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle with a bottled on date of 10/12/12. Aged for around 7 months.

Appearance: Pours a murky brown with a lot of floaties. Small off-white head dissipates quickly leaving spotty, sticky lacing.

Aroma: Rich, malty aroma full dark fruits such as fig, plum, prune, with esters reminiscent of apple and peach. Alcohol is very evident with some mild hop earthiness in the background.

Flavor: Rich caramel maltiness up front combined with stone fruit and a hint of chocolate. Stale, oxidized flavors complement the malt complexity. Spicy, boozy alcohol takes over next which leads into a smooth, yet intensely bitter finish.

Mouthfeel: Full and chewy with a bit too much alcohol warming. Low to moderate carbonation.

Overall Impression: Although a little rough immediately after bottling, this beer improved dramatically after aging, even for a short time. I really wish I would have had the patience to age it longer. It falls somewhere between a traditional English Old Ale and a hoppy American Barleywine and manages to remain surprisingly balanced. Intense booziness is my biggest criticism, but this beer would still be fantastic on a cold winter day.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2013 22:27:26 | More by BrewBoyR

ajzy

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev -3.1%

05-26-2013 01:30:29 | More by ajzy

edbritton

Alabama

5/5  rDev +21.1%

05-24-2013 20:29:54 | More by edbritton

diehl07

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +15%

05-24-2013 00:09:52 | More by diehl07

Slay40

Michigan

2.5/5  rDev -39.5%

05-23-2013 22:35:46 | More by Slay40

IMSPEAKNOENGLISH

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%

05-23-2013 03:07:43 | More by IMSPEAKNOENGLISH