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

tectactoe

Michigan

3.68/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

On tap at Bell's Eccentric Cafe, review transcribed from notes. This is NOT the same beer as "Third Coast Old Ale"... Apparently this was a special, brewery only old ale release. Pours a deep, deep amber and ruby red clash of colors, murky, cloudy, and almost completely opaque save for the translucent edges. The eggshell head is fine, thin, and appears pretty creamy.

The aroma brings forth many traditional barleywine/old-ale notes; raisins, figs, and dates that have been soaking and drenched in a booze bath. Strong alcohol presence, almost resembling a heavy wine or brandy. Mildly fusel and hot on the nose. Lots of toasted caramel and toffee, not quite reaching "molasses" level. No doubt that this beer is an unabashed malt bomb with lots of alcohol and lots of sweetness - that's, that's what the aroma would indicate. Hops? Nah. At least, I'm not picking up on any.

Sure as shit, this stuff is potent. A heavy alcohol presence parades over your palate from the first sip - heavy wine and brandy with an unavoidable heat. And it only gets stronger as it warms. The beer is sweet, too, but I think some of that is cut but the booze. Lots of sweeter grape-like flavors, more than I picked up on in the aroma. Boozy raisins and plums are present, as well. The sea of malt ties everything together - smooth and savory amounts of sweet caramel, toffee, and butter. Mild astringency on the tail end, along with a slight bitterness, but still nothing that really resembles hops. Medium mouth feel, thinner than expected for the style and ABV, low carbonation, slick, sticky, oily.

Glad I got to try this one while it was available at Eccentric. It's strong - and even seems stronger than the 10% ABV it's labeled as. When this boy reaches room temp, it gets HOT. Still pretty decent all around, but be prepared to sip. I liked Third Coast much better than this.

Serving type: on-tap

07-03-2012 06:45:46 | More by tectactoe

bacasnax

Florida

4/5  rDev +5.8%

04-01-2013 22:23:08 | More by bacasnax

brendaniel

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -20.6%

03-03-2013 02:01:15 | More by brendaniel

Mantooth

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +5.8%

03-02-2013 17:37:52 | More by Mantooth

jdavolos88

4/5  rDev +5.8%

01-03-2013 21:21:17 | More by jdavolos88

beergorrilla

Michigan

4/5  rDev +5.8%

12-29-2012 12:16:39 | More by beergorrilla

Zaphog

Michigan

4/5  rDev +5.8%

12-23-2012 03:15:58 | More by Zaphog

redleg64

Michigan

3.25/5  rDev -14%

10-16-2012 02:41:13 | More by redleg64

mzeld

Michigan

3/5  rDev -20.6%

06-16-2012 19:36:37 | More by mzeld

martyl1000

Wisconsin

4.58/5  rDev +21.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Damn. On tap at Mason Lounge, Madison, this is an arresting cross between huge and mellow. Aroma of a barley wine, bitterness of a confident malt bomb. Syrupy mouthfeel. Massive, permanent lacing. So great to find this on tap at the end of a long night. Alcohol pretty well hidden. But if i were to have another at its 10%, I think I'd keel over.

Serving type: on-tap

05-27-2012 03:47:31 | More by martyl1000

Brewsed

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +5.8%

01-03-2012 22:01:16 | More by Brewsed

midlifec

Michigan

4/5  rDev +5.8%

12-29-2011 13:33:48 | More by midlifec

darklord2011

Indiana

4/5  rDev +5.8%

11-18-2011 15:06:10 | More by darklord2011

tclapper

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +5.8%

11-17-2011 03:07:43 | More by tclapper

jzeilinger

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Deep amber garnet red color with large vibrant bubbles and a thick, foamy, creamy off white colored head.

S - Overly weak, earthy butter toffee, roasted caramel, butter rum, and mild chocolate.

T - A big boozy wall of raisons and butter brandy. Effervesence sits on the tongue and drifts up the nasal passage in waves of phenol alcohol. Lots of oak tannin woodiness, wet blanket, and lingering piney bitterness. Lingering bitterness is what I would call "exceptional".

M - Could be thicker, light medium body for this particular style.

O - Would enjoy this beer more if it were thicker, may be better if it were laid down for a few years. (?)

Serving type: on-tap

09-22-2011 05:57:13 | More by jzeilinger

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.23/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Bell's last weekend.

Pours a pale amber color with a slight white head. A spot of two of lacing and a thin collar throughout. The nose brings a good dosing of caramel and some light fruits to go atop sweet bready malt. Light cherry. The flavor is fairly sweet with a good amount of caramel, though most of the malt flavor is just plain sugary bread. Some booze and cherry there as well. Medium body with low carbonation and a good amount of booze. Maybe this was too fresh, but it's not nearly as good as Third Coast Old Ale, in my opinion.

Serving type: on-tap

06-28-2011 22:02:12 | More by Thorpe429

Dreadnaught33

District of Columbia

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

I believe this was a brewery only release back in early April 2011. Was named Old Ale on the chalkboard.

A: Awesome Muddy appearance with a fizzy tan ring of head and some lacing. Looks old!

S: Prune, plum, caramel, toffee, red wine grapes and confectionary sugar mix together in a not overly potent aroma.

T: The smell comes through in the taste with added molasses, brown sugar and old dried fruits. Lots of "welch's Grape" kinds of sweetness and fruitiness, though it's also got a nice savory side with the prune and plum notes.

M: A little more carbonated than I'd like but it has a nice full body and semi viscous feel without too much heat surprisingly.

O: Easier to drink than expected and pleasant.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2011 01:12:27 | More by Dreadnaught33