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

DmanGTR

New York

4.48/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Datz in Tampa. Review from notes.

Poured deep mahogany with garnet hues in the light. Light beige head that retained nicely. Very big on the malt spectrum. Lots going on here with molasses, caramel, hint of prunes, dates, and black currants. Hops are low key, lingering towards the finish, which is sweet and long lasting. Big body but not cloying. Carbonation makes this a pleasure to quaff. A highly recommended beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2013 16:46:00 | More by DmanGTR

malind

3.93/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a tulip glass. Batch 9970 - bottled 11/3/10

A - Dark, reddish brown. Average amount of carbonation when poured. Head dissipated quickly.

S - Caramel, earth tone, dark fruits, whiff of booziness.

T - Hint of alcohol, complex malts, slight bitterness. Not overpowered by hops.

M - Rich, thick, slight tingle of alcohol, but not overpowering

O - A good winter sipping beer from Bells. Readily available. I bought a sixer and let it age for two years before trying it, so I have no comparison to fresh.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 03:11:09 | More by malind

JamesMN

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Completely opaque brown with a little maroon. A thin tan head. Laces very well.

Aroma: Dried fruits drenched in caramel. Definitely some dark malts in this as well. But mostly just butterscotch and caramel goodness.

Taste: Very rich caramel flavor up front but not too sweet. More of the dried fruits, plum and apricot, come through in the second half. I can tell how complex this thing could get with some age to it. Packs a little hop bite but really only moderate bitterness that can't distract from the great flavors. Don't taste much of the 10.2% ABV. The caramel flavor here is really the winner. That flavor is in a lot of different beers but never showcased quite like it is in Third Coast Old Ale. A little lingering heat in the back of the throat but a very smooth finish.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with average carbonation. This thing is highly drinkable for the style.

Final Thoughts: I'm very pleased with the flavor on this Barleywine. Another style done justice by Bell's. Would I drink it again? Yes, I hope to cellar some as well.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 05:44:54 | More by JamesMN

metter98

New York

4.1/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: The beer is clear but very dark amber in color (brown when viewed from afar) and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a quarter finger high tan head that slowly died down and left a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface.
S: There are light to moderate aromas of caramel, toffee and fruits in the nose.
T: The taste shares some similarities with the smell but isn't quite as complex, having mainly flavors of caramel malts and notes to hints of alcohol along with a light to moderate amount of bitterness.
M: It feels full-bodied and a little sticky on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation. There is some alcohol warming towards the finish and dryness in the aftertaste.
O: This beer is a good barleywine but seems that the taste really needs some aging to develop the same amount of complexity as the smell.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 20:51:54 | More by metter98

lurpy1

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This has very quietly become one of my go-to beers in Michigan. Smell is probably the weak suit, I get a little booze and a lot of malt,but the flavor comes over you in waves. Fruit, malt, alcohol and caramel take turns tagging in. The mouthfeel is spot on for the style, nearly devoid of carbonation and very smooth going down. I could drink this over and over. And I'd give up an ear to try this bourbon aged.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 02:37:39 | More by lurpy1

Megahertz

Missouri

4.6/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz into a New Belgium globe. Batch 11,400 Packaged 10/12/12.

A - Deep brown with red highlights, hazy. Moderate head. Wanted more foam!

S - Complex; cinnamon, plum & raisin. Faint cherry. A different type of complexity than belgian ales - seems cleaner.

T - Deep dark stonefruits with an almost smokey background note. Extremely complex and multi-layered. Finish is surprisingly hoppy with a distinct resiny note. Becomes warming very quickly, but far from hot alcohols.

M - Heavy body with mild carbonation. Creamy.

O - This got better and better as time went on. An intense experience.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 20:36:12 | More by Megahertz

CloudStrife

New York

4.1/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle poured into a snifter. PKGD 04/06/12.

A: Pours a cloudy light ruby with a one finger slightly yellowed head. A decent amount of visible carbonation in the body.

S: A boozy sweet malty brew with a bit of spiciness in the back end. I get a faint orange aroma

T: Very balanced flavor for such a malty beer. There is plenty of malt in the front, some hops bitter it up but certainly ends in a lingering malt. Slight bit of booze but well hidden. Can get a dark fruitiness as well as a sweet carmel.

M: Smooth and creamy body. Low carbonation. Isn't too hot considering the ABV.

Overall a real good barleywine here. Everything I've tried from this brewery has been great. Would recommend this in a second and wish I could age a bottle. Higher overall to account for taste bering above 4.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 01:27:13 | More by CloudStrife

TempeBeerMan

Arizona

4.7/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into a snifter.

A - Opaque dark brown, with a one-finger off-white head. Exceptional lacing.

S - Strong aroma of toffee, dried fruit, and brandy. Smells inticing.

T - Rich fusion of candied dried fruit (date, raisin, fig), toffee and caramel. Slightly brandy booziness in the finish. Medicinal/herbal hop esters can be detected along the entire length of the flavor profile if you try. Faintest hint of coconut in the aftertaste. Candied without being cloying. Perfection.

M - Full bodied. Low carbonation. Overall feel is satin-y. Very nice.

O - I loved this beer, but full disclosure; toffee and fig type fruits are probably my favorite combination of flavors in a brew. Flavors here blend seemlessly and with great depth. Great to have a high abv ale that is ready to drink NOW, without being overly brash or boozy. Masterfully done. A must try.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 04:38:25 | More by TempeBeerMan

SometimesIfart

Michigan

3.89/5  rDev -6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A - Pours an extremely deep amber with a one finger off white head. Leaves spotty lacing.

S - Vanilla, dates, figs, white chocolate, fresh baked cookies.

T - Lots of vanilla, figs, dark cherry, alcoholic warmth in the finish.

M - Medium oily body with medium carbonation.

O - Overall, this was a tasty, heavy offering from Bell's that would do very well with some age.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 23:01:13 | More by SometimesIfart

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 12oz bottle into sierra nevad tulip. Pours a deep amber brown with thin white sticky lacing. Smells of dried aged fruit...
Nice mellow dried fruity malt mixed with slight hop aftertatse...really intesnse old ale. Really not one to finish the night, but instead its probably one to have a singe of...and call it quits!
Its strong....in flavor, in abv, in mouthfeel...its a big beer in a small package. Probably the biggest, tasty-est beer ive had in a 12oz. Nice brew...just clear your plans prior...its a big beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 06:25:20 | More by DrinkSlurm

Durge

Connecticut

3.9/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Another fun find at The Mellow Mushroom in Greensboro, NC. It shows a dark brown color with nice, swirly light-tan head and decent lace. I can smell some alcohol-grass and a tad wheat malt. Nothing too impressive but reasonable. The flavor strikes me at first as being tart. Then I get piney malt with grassy, whiskey malt, Dr Pepper/root beer, and a little boozy. Pretty good. It's medium-light bodied with a crispy feel. It has tiny bubbles, a solid "old ale".

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2012 06:24:30 | More by Durge

SLeffler27

New York

3.78/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clear, gem-like copper with fine carbonation. The syrupy pour builds a slight, dark beige head and leaves a thick, viscous film on the Stone snifter. Ruby red highlights and spotty lace are also notable.

Rich malt is followed by raisins, brown sugar, licorice and slight rum notes.

The flavor is dominated by black tea with modest bitterness and wood. Some pine and caramel is also detected in this very dry beer with a late, lingering finish.

Dry, with a smooth cotton texture, and a full, almost dense, body. Alcohol is less than anticipated.

This is a good sipping beer that improves with warmth, allowing a myriad of subtleties to be detected.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 21:21:16 | More by SLeffler27

blackcompg

Illinois

4.45/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from their 12oz bottle...

Appearance - Pours nearly 2 fingers of soft, foamy khaki foam, body is a slightly hazed beautiful rich garnet with dark amber highlites. A solid cap remains through the session and leaves some gorgeous lacing behind.

Smell - Brown sugar, warm toffee, sweet cherries, amaretto, fruit cake, light floral hops, just a wonderful and complex nose on this.

Taste - Oh my goodness, begins bourbon soaked figs, raisins and ripe plums, then burnt toffee and molasses, then big bourbon barrel oak with some unsweetened vanilla, and the finish is bittering floral hops, tart plum skins and dried plum pits. What a great and tasty transition. There is a touch of heat throughout, but this is a wonderfully welcome addition to the flavors, not overpowering in the least, the perfect cool weather warmer.

Mouthfeel - A bit above medium, all the flavors are very full and bold, filling the mouth. Carb is on the lighter side, and is almost silky smooth with a few edges at the very end of the sip. This is a wonderful sipper.

Overall - I just bought one bottle of this, but I want to get my hands on alot more - some for now, and a 6xer or so to sit on for at least a year. Great complexity, big bold flavors, but so well balanced - you will taste every one of the flavors I've described. The transition is also so nice, starting sweet, then savory, then bitter and drying - begging the next sip. What a wonderful beer for the cooler months, purchase this when you see it, highly recommend!

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 06:15:10 | More by blackcompg

wvsabbath

West Virginia

4.1/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Serving Type - Bottle

Appearance - Tanish brown with a creamy 1/2 head, some minor lacing.

Smell - Fruits, cherry, grape, caramel malts. Bready, slight alcohol armoa. Some molassas, brown sugar. Alittle vanilla and a borubon oaked smell also.

Taste - Very malty and loads of cherry, grapes and some vanilla. Nice mix of sweet sugars and bitter fruits. ALcohol comes out as it warms and adds a warmth. More smooth and and oakey then most barleywines ive had. Nice mollasses and caramel notes round this out.

Mouthfeel - Sweet sugars and malty caramel coat tounge with sweetness. Fruits add a bold and bitter flavor to tounge. Palate gets more sugars and a oaked flavor. Finish is sweet, caramel and oaky.

Overall - Very smooth and one of the more drinkible barleywines ive had. Smooth, flavorful and easy to drink. Really enjoy the oaked flavor it brings, along with the balance of sweet and bitter. Excellent beer, worth a drink.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 00:46:33 | More by wvsabbath

tectactoe

Michigan

4.14/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Took me a minute to realize that this was different than the "Old Ale" I had on tap at Bell's cafe in Kalamazoo. This one pours deep, muddy copper-brown color, opaque and cloudy. Looks very thick and viscous with minimal carbonation. A hard pour produces a creamy tan head that lasts for quite a while.

Aroma is full of many different things - what stands out the most are booze-soaked raisins, burnt brown sugar, rum, and bitter black cherries. Quite a nice combination of smells. Little bitterness or floral notes are picked up on the nose, but they are definitely there in the taste. First sip hits with a heavy, warming alcohol presence, much like that of rum or wine, but is quickly tamed by the sweetness present from the fruity elements - raisins, lots of plums, figs, and caramelized sugar. Slight hops are present, citrus-heavy and leafy, which combat the sweetness quite nicely. The beer finishes on a malt-heavy note, caramel and sugar, with a tight bitter bite at the end. Thick and syrupy body, chewy and pretty heavy on the mouth.

This beer is a sipper but it is totally delicious. Something to warm you up on a cold night, and a nice alternative to sipping a glass of whiskey or wine. I plan to age some of these and see how they turn out.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 13:14:45 | More by tectactoe

SportsandJorts

Michigan

4.7/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Type: 12 oz bottled April 2012
Glass: Snifter
From: Tippins Market in Ann Arbor (found it hidden on a self apparently been there about 10 months)
Price: $3

Appearance: brownish-ruby red. nice finger of tan head that fades slowly to a lacing on the sides. Pretty clear.

Smell: Sweet smell, some brown sugar maybe some fruits, a touch of alcohol

Taste: Of wow, that's good. opens up with some vanilla, followed by dark fruits and a slight bitterness, has some burnt wood characteristics in there and a good kick of alcohol. delightfully complex beer. 10 months even on a store shelf did this one well. I would like to try some older, more properly aged.

Mouthfeel: a little syrupy but creamy at the same time. I marked it down here because I think it could be a little heavier.

Overall: Very impressed with this one. I have had it fresh a few times and loved it, but age does it justice as Bell's suggests. Another winner by Bell's (they have quite the winter line up.) Can't wait to put some of this away for a year or more.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 19:38:53 | More by SportsandJorts

ncketchum

Wisconsin

4.2/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Batch 9970, served cellar temp in a Duvel tulip

A - pours a deep red, good amount of sediment, big creamy head with lots of lacing, good retention

S - nose is terrific, raisins, caramel, cherry, bready malt, hints of vanilla, no booze noted

T - similar to the nose with the sweet dark fruits and caramel but with a strong hop presence following the initial taste.

M - age has lent a degree of smoothness that was not present when I've had this fresh. Thick and slightly syrupy, no alcohol to speak of

O - excellent, smooth, balanced. This is a great Bells offering, especially with some time under its belt

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 03:55:48 | More by ncketchum

josephwa

Minnesota

4.35/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A - rusty color with perfect amount of head. The head remains strong until the finish.

S - I get a very sweet smell, nutty aroma, some of that typical old ale smell and a hint of clove.

T - The bitterness and sweetness are well balanced. Not as sweet as I would like. Has a nice wood taste to it.

M - Love the carbonation on this one. Nice and thick body as well. I get some heat on this one.

O - Overall a lovely old ale!

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 23:15:22 | More by josephwa

YCantWeNotBeSober

Michigan

3.95/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled in 2012

A - Pours a dark ruby red,

S - Sweet malts, dark fruits, pumpernickel bread, vanilla

T - Starts with sweet plum flavor fading to sweet malt. Vanilla notes are quickly overtaken by generic hop bitterness melding with a little bite from the alcohol.

M - Well carbonated for the style, somewhat sticky

O - Overall a decently complex beer that ultimately clashes malty sweetness, bittering hops, and booziness that would seem to benefit from some aging.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 17:51:00 | More by YCantWeNotBeSober

harrymel

Washington

4.08/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Third review: batch 9958 (25AUG10)

Pours a dr.pepper cola with a loose bubble sheet of light tan foam. Smells from afar of caramel, as I draw in: gobs of sugar, caramel, tea, turbinado, malt, a hint of nougat. Taste is sweet with alcohol, caramel, bits of almond rocha, metal, still sharp alcohol here. Medium on thick body for the style with moderated assertive carb and a semi dry finish. This is a decent beer. If I lived in the distro, I'd throw a few in the cellar annually. So far, I've only had 'em back two years, I think I will hold my last bottle for the five year mark and see where that lands me.

Review 1: Batch 9958: 08/25/10
Review 2: Followed by Batch 8943: 1/28/09 - reviewed 03MAR11 4/4.5/4.5/4/4.5-4.43
A: Ale pours a nice cherry orange amber. No head formation. Thin sheet of fine bubbles that sticks around. Spotty laces.
A2: Again pours cherry ale. This time forms a single finger, creamy tan head with just a few moments of retention. This dissolves to leave a solid sheet of the same. Initially, full drapes for laces, when stirred, lacing disappears for good.
S: Caramel, toffee, burnt sugar. Great malt body in the nose. Hints of oaky drieness, somewhat woody. Alcohol boozy, but very well enveloped. Not much hops here. Hints of vanilla on the back.
S2: Two years into maturation, this beer develops even more caramel, toffee tones. Beautifully matured malts, burnt sugar, brown sugar and now: hints of molasses.
T: Lovely caramel malt. Alcohol still a little hot at this age (six months). Very drinkable. Sweet, but has nice earthly hop addition and mellow mallow tones. Good.
T2: Uh oh, this is sooo good! Man, the toffee turns to salted caramel. Man, so good. Still backing of bitter hops. Alcohol a little more evident in this one, but sweet and good.
M: Smooth, low carb, medium-heavy body. Silk screen in the mouth, leaves the mouth slick. Nice.
M2: Continues to be smooth, a little more carbonation. Leaves the mouth more or less dry at this point.
D: I would drink this on a very regular basis if it was available in the area. So nice.
D2: This has convinced me that I need to come up with a good vertical of this beer. I am stoked because this beer is relatively inexpensive and easily available.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 06:10:28 | More by harrymel

azdback

Arizona

4.05/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Batch 8211, poured into a Bruery tulip. Dark, murky tan color, melted caramel in color. Head was just a little larger that a collar and quickly dissipates into nothing but a collar. Light tan in color and appears a bit creamy. No lace to speak of.

Smell is wonderful!! Sweet caramel, vanilla, wood, brown sugar. I am really getting some bourbon here too. I didn't think this was barrel aged but that is what I am getting from this. Maybe just the slightest hint of alcohol here but very well masked for a 10%+ brew.

Taste is much like the smell. Wood, vanilla, caramel, burnt sugar or brown sugar. No alcohol taste what so ever.

Mouth is rich with a medium body. Carbonation is on the mild side and the finish is long and wet with absolutely no alcohol present.

Overall I must say this has held up quite nicely, seeing that it is just a tick over 5 years old. There is a bit of an off taste in the middle of the swallow but with this one's age I didn't mark against it. If I get the chance to try a fresh one and get the same taste I will adjust accordingly. A must try if you have not.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 05:04:29 | More by azdback

yamar68

Minnesota

4.15/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Hazy nut brown body topped with a half finger of off-white head that dissipates rather quickly, leaving distinct sets of lacing from start to finish.

Beautifully smooth... juicy citrus hop notes make an appearance early on, giving way to a sweet but subtle malt punch. Zero booze character fresh out of the bottle, "incredibly smooth" is what I take away from the initial aromas.

Some sweet cola notes, dirty tobacco, malted barley, hops aren't nearly as evident as the nose would suggest, still quite smooth though, I'd love to have a taste of this one from a barrel.

Great stuff... unique, smooth, and a serious cellar candidate.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 01:56:47 | More by yamar68

Beer_Runner

4.65/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Bottled on 09/14/11 and aged more than 13 months before opened.

A: A slow pour into a standard pint glass resulted in about a quarter finger head that was a darker shade of khaki and fairly dense. The head slowly dissipated to a thin layer that lasted almost the entire session (very surprising at this high ABV). And, it left a small amount of lacing, too. The brew was a deep mahogany with a slight red hue, and it was also a little cloudy and just barely translucent.

S: The aroma consisted of light cherry and dark dried fruits along with some sweet malt and a hint of booze.

T: The taste began with malt sweetness and that was quickly joined by dark dried fruit along with a touch of cherry; and, near the end there were more grain flavors with just a bit of booze.

M: The body was on the heavier side of the medium range and very, very smooth. It also had a medium amount of carbonation and it was just a little sticky.

O: This is a big, flashy “must try” for fans of old ales. It is a very flavorful beer with bold sweet malt and grains along with some milder dark dried fruit and just a touch of cherry to add an enjoyable complexity. The high ABV is well hidden and the hint of booze only does enough to brighten the focus on the malt and grain. This is a first class old ale style beer. It is definitely one of the very best beers available in this style.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 23:46:50 | More by Beer_Runner

Etan

Illinois

4.23/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle, bottled April 2012, into a snifter.

A: Pours a reddish brown with a nice off-white head.

S: Sticky old hops, molasses, pine, cooked apples.

T: Mild piney bitterness, caramel, apple cider, sweet bready malt, slight vanilla, earthy herbalness, brown sugar, a hint of booze.

M: Medium-bodied with fine carbonation.

O: Very good American barleywine, hoppy but in an interesting way. I can see this aging decently.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 21:50:09 | More by Etan

Brabander

Netherlands

4.4/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I got this beer from Robert (T0rin0) when we met at the Borefts beerfestival in Holland more than a month ago.

Thanks for this beer Robert! Bottle from 2007, very curious! Poured in a small Struise tasting glass this beer looks very nice. Very darkbrown like old tea and a nice broken white head which disappears after a while leaving rings of lacing in the glass.

Smell is like a barleywine should be. Smell of boozeyness. Great taste with the alcohol pretty well hidden...but not too much. This is a type of beer which needs some boozehints and the Bell's boys managed to do so. Sweet and a bit sticky.

Nice beer with good mouthfeel and good aftertaste. Thanks again Robert!

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2012 22:08:24 | More by Brabander