Third Coast Old Ale from Bell’s Brewery of Michigan is a big aged barleywine. They call it bitter, earthy, and malty, and it absolutely lives up to the description. The nose has toffee and caramel and earthy notes. The middle has heavy oak and vanilla, some caramel and deeply roasted grainy flavors. The finish has more vanilla, raisins, and pine. The body is heavy, and the alcohol is high at 10.2% ABV. This is a fine drink to wrap up a cold winter’s night.

I give it a 4.5 out of 5.