Pooltime Ale
Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store
- From:
- Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store
- Michigan, United States
- Style:
- Witbier
Ranked #271 - ABV:
- 5.2%
- Score:
- 82
Ranked #34,463 - Avg:
- 3.63 | pDev: 12.67%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 126
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jul 28, 2025
- Added:
- May 13, 2008
- Wants:
- 15
- Gots:
- 71
SCORE
82
Good
82
Good
Formerly Bell's Poolside Ale
Pooltime Ale is a refreshing Belgian-inspired Wheat Ale with light clove notes. The truly distinguishing feature is the use of 100% Montmorency tart cherries grown in the Traverse City region of Michigan. These cherries add a subtle tartness and bright counterpoint to the other flavors, enhancing Pooltime’s fruity character and making it the perfect beer for all summer activities.
Original Gravity: 1.05
Pooltime Ale is a refreshing Belgian-inspired Wheat Ale with light clove notes. The truly distinguishing feature is the use of 100% Montmorency tart cherries grown in the Traverse City region of Michigan. These cherries add a subtle tartness and bright counterpoint to the other flavors, enhancing Pooltime’s fruity character and making it the perfect beer for all summer activities.
Original Gravity: 1.05
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by drtth:
Reviewed by drtth from Pennsylvania
3.77/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.77/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
The hazy reddish tinged yellow beer pours out into a Duvel glass with a 1” ivory head that leaves a layer of foam and lacing on the sides of the glass as it recedes to a thin irregular island of foam on the surface of the liquid. Sipping creates a couple of arches and lots of small patches and legs of lacing, some of which slide back down to the liquid.
The aromas include wheat, some coriander and clove along with a nice melange of fruit in the background. Among the fruit aromas there’s both some tart cherry and some citrus. There’s also a bit of spicy pepper.
The flavors are much as expected from the nose with the wheat, coriander and clove but also with the addition of both some sweetness from the malt along with the cherry and its tartness. The other fruit flavors include some light citrus and a bit of green orchard fruits. In the background there’s some herbal, grassy hops with a light bitterness.
The mouth feel is on the light side of medium bodied and both slightly prickly and a bit creamy from the moderate persistent finely bubbled carbonation. The ending is slightly dry and the earthy grassiness from the hops persists quite a while.
Overall I’m enjoying this beer and would certainly be willing to have another, especially on a hot, steamy day where the slight cherry tartness would be fairly refreshing. That said, while this is a tasty beer I’m a bit of a traditionalist and this beer would not bump either the Allagash White or the St. Bernardus Wit from my regular rotation.
Jul 01, 2018The aromas include wheat, some coriander and clove along with a nice melange of fruit in the background. Among the fruit aromas there’s both some tart cherry and some citrus. There’s also a bit of spicy pepper.
The flavors are much as expected from the nose with the wheat, coriander and clove but also with the addition of both some sweetness from the malt along with the cherry and its tartness. The other fruit flavors include some light citrus and a bit of green orchard fruits. In the background there’s some herbal, grassy hops with a light bitterness.
The mouth feel is on the light side of medium bodied and both slightly prickly and a bit creamy from the moderate persistent finely bubbled carbonation. The ending is slightly dry and the earthy grassiness from the hops persists quite a while.
Overall I’m enjoying this beer and would certainly be willing to have another, especially on a hot, steamy day where the slight cherry tartness would be fairly refreshing. That said, while this is a tasty beer I’m a bit of a traditionalist and this beer would not bump either the Allagash White or the St. Bernardus Wit from my regular rotation.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by chum_husk from Minnesota
3.44/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
3.44/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
12oz can from the variety pack at the liq sto' near me
This was an enjoyable one, jsut a refreshing wit with a tart-azz cherry zing added in
Perfect pool bier
Aug 09, 2021This was an enjoyable one, jsut a refreshing wit with a tart-azz cherry zing added in
Perfect pool bier
Rated by Mindhealer from Florida
4.49/5 rDev +23.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.49/5 rDev +23.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Beautiful summer beer
Jul 01, 2020
Reviewed by bushbeer75 from Michigan
3.52/5 rDev -3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.52/5 rDev -3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
poured from a 12oz can
Bell's Pooltime has a cloudy red gold body. Atop sat a 1-finger off-white head that left behind chunky doamy lacing. The nose picked up a subtle tart and fruity aroma. The taste follows the nose but has a stronger tart cherry flavor and also wheat added. The tart cherry flavor lingers at the finish. Light to medium bodied with moderate carbonation.
I am not a fan of tart/sour drinks or candy. So, if you like that taste this ale is for you.
Jan 03, 2020Bell's Pooltime has a cloudy red gold body. Atop sat a 1-finger off-white head that left behind chunky doamy lacing. The nose picked up a subtle tart and fruity aroma. The taste follows the nose but has a stronger tart cherry flavor and also wheat added. The tart cherry flavor lingers at the finish. Light to medium bodied with moderate carbonation.
I am not a fan of tart/sour drinks or candy. So, if you like that taste this ale is for you.
Reviewed by russpowell from Arkansas
3.74/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.74/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a very effervescent & hazed amber with much cream colored head. Nice head retention & lacing
S: Wheatty, grassy, hint of cherry
T: Follows the nose, a little clove as well & faint traces of juicyfruit up front. Cherry builds a little as this warms, just a little bit of juicyfruit & grassyness as well. Finishes with a little sour cherry and juicyfruit
MF: Medium body, fairly restrained carbonation
Pretty drinkable, the cherry juice addition worked for me
Sep 20, 2019S: Wheatty, grassy, hint of cherry
T: Follows the nose, a little clove as well & faint traces of juicyfruit up front. Cherry builds a little as this warms, just a little bit of juicyfruit & grassyness as well. Finishes with a little sour cherry and juicyfruit
MF: Medium body, fairly restrained carbonation
Pretty drinkable, the cherry juice addition worked for me
Reviewed by Mindcrime1000 from South Dakota
3.51/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
3.51/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a can into a tulip.
Pours a murky reddish-orange that gradually settles to cloudy. A three finger foamy head quickly rises and falls, but excellent lacing persists. Not dishwater ugly but not pretty either.
Esters (cherry, lemon, orange), wheat and coriander all waft the nostrils, although the cherry is faint. The aromas are nice but very subdued.
The brew hits the tip of the tongue with plenty of wheat and spice. General bready and banana ester sweetness shows up in mid-palate, with the cherry that was so subtle on the nose showing more here, but awfully sweet. The brew finishes with coriander and a bit of welcome, but belated, sourness.
The brew is definitely heavier than a typical wit, but never reaches medium bodied. It is well-carbonated and has a nice finish.
Overall, this is a unique take on a favorite style, and it is actually very drinkable. The typical ester flavors don't quite mesh completely with the cherry, however. Perhaps if the cherry was presented as a sour counterpoint instead of another sweet note, it would work better. As is, a decent brew from a brewer that usually provides better than decent.
Sep 14, 2019Pours a murky reddish-orange that gradually settles to cloudy. A three finger foamy head quickly rises and falls, but excellent lacing persists. Not dishwater ugly but not pretty either.
Esters (cherry, lemon, orange), wheat and coriander all waft the nostrils, although the cherry is faint. The aromas are nice but very subdued.
The brew hits the tip of the tongue with plenty of wheat and spice. General bready and banana ester sweetness shows up in mid-palate, with the cherry that was so subtle on the nose showing more here, but awfully sweet. The brew finishes with coriander and a bit of welcome, but belated, sourness.
The brew is definitely heavier than a typical wit, but never reaches medium bodied. It is well-carbonated and has a nice finish.
Overall, this is a unique take on a favorite style, and it is actually very drinkable. The typical ester flavors don't quite mesh completely with the cherry, however. Perhaps if the cherry was presented as a sour counterpoint instead of another sweet note, it would work better. As is, a decent brew from a brewer that usually provides better than decent.
Reviewed by NeroFiddled from Pennsylvania
4.15/5 rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
4.15/5 rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Bell's Brewery "Pooltime Ale"
12 fl. oz. can coded "24968 PKGD 04:41 041519 041439" and sampled on 082919
$2.79 @ Total Wine & More, Cherry Hill, NJ
Notes via stream of consciousness: It's always interesting opening a can of fruit beer because you never know what it will look like. I was expecting this to be a hazy pinkish color, and it is, except that it's also a little orange, and much cloudier than I thought it would be, It's got a big head of white foam atop it and I can see bubbles racing towards the surface within the glass. It actually looks a little bit like a hefeweizen. The label reads "Belgian inspired wheat ale with cherry juice" and that's exactly what it smells like. I got the Belgian yeast phenolics first, and then the cherry, which isn't a bright cherry, but more like the pulp of the cherry. It's authentic is what I want to say, and not overdone. Usually when I smell a beer and get that bright cherry aroma it's from an extract that's got an amped up cherry aroma, or, they've used tons and tons of cherries to get it. This isn't like that, it doesn't smell like a cherry Jolly Rancher candy. On to the flavor... there's a nice spiciness from the Belgian yeast , and that works really well with the cherry to liven it a bit. As I suspected from the aroma, the cherry flavor is mid-range; you definitely recognize it but there's no too much of it. I like that. It's got balance. The head has dropped at this point but it's still got a solid surface covering, and there's some really nice rings and patches of lace left behind on the glass. I'm not fond of the cloudiness but the color and lacing are great. And I can't fault them for the cloudiness, I'm assuming it's unfiltered to maintain its fullest flavor. That's a trade-off I can live with. It's not that bitter but there's a little bit there, and although you sometimes find some acidity with fruit beers there's really not that much, just a touch. As it's warming I'm getting more of the phenols from the yeast, and more of the sweet malt. It's very nice, and really well balanced. I sat on this for a long time because it's a cherry beer, but I now wish I hadn't because the cherry isn't overblown at all, and there's plenty of Belgian yeast character to it. I'm assuming this is a seasonal and now I'm going to have to rush to see if I can get a case of it before the shelves are covered in pumpkin beers. OK, let me wrap this up. In the mouth it's medium bodied and crisp with a lightly effervescent, moderately elevated carbonation. It seems natural although I can't imagine that's possible. I guess it's just becasue it's unfiltered. Regardless, it's got a great mouthfeel. I wasn't expecting much from this, and I've been completely turned around by it. Great summer beer!
Review #6,676
Aug 29, 201912 fl. oz. can coded "24968 PKGD 04:41 041519 041439" and sampled on 082919
$2.79 @ Total Wine & More, Cherry Hill, NJ
Notes via stream of consciousness: It's always interesting opening a can of fruit beer because you never know what it will look like. I was expecting this to be a hazy pinkish color, and it is, except that it's also a little orange, and much cloudier than I thought it would be, It's got a big head of white foam atop it and I can see bubbles racing towards the surface within the glass. It actually looks a little bit like a hefeweizen. The label reads "Belgian inspired wheat ale with cherry juice" and that's exactly what it smells like. I got the Belgian yeast phenolics first, and then the cherry, which isn't a bright cherry, but more like the pulp of the cherry. It's authentic is what I want to say, and not overdone. Usually when I smell a beer and get that bright cherry aroma it's from an extract that's got an amped up cherry aroma, or, they've used tons and tons of cherries to get it. This isn't like that, it doesn't smell like a cherry Jolly Rancher candy. On to the flavor... there's a nice spiciness from the Belgian yeast , and that works really well with the cherry to liven it a bit. As I suspected from the aroma, the cherry flavor is mid-range; you definitely recognize it but there's no too much of it. I like that. It's got balance. The head has dropped at this point but it's still got a solid surface covering, and there's some really nice rings and patches of lace left behind on the glass. I'm not fond of the cloudiness but the color and lacing are great. And I can't fault them for the cloudiness, I'm assuming it's unfiltered to maintain its fullest flavor. That's a trade-off I can live with. It's not that bitter but there's a little bit there, and although you sometimes find some acidity with fruit beers there's really not that much, just a touch. As it's warming I'm getting more of the phenols from the yeast, and more of the sweet malt. It's very nice, and really well balanced. I sat on this for a long time because it's a cherry beer, but I now wish I hadn't because the cherry isn't overblown at all, and there's plenty of Belgian yeast character to it. I'm assuming this is a seasonal and now I'm going to have to rush to see if I can get a case of it before the shelves are covered in pumpkin beers. OK, let me wrap this up. In the mouth it's medium bodied and crisp with a lightly effervescent, moderately elevated carbonation. It seems natural although I can't imagine that's possible. I guess it's just becasue it's unfiltered. Regardless, it's got a great mouthfeel. I wasn't expecting much from this, and I've been completely turned around by it. Great summer beer!
Review #6,676
Reviewed by MNAle from Minnesota
4.07/5 rDev +12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4.07/5 rDev +12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Aroma is wheat, cherry, spice: coriander and pepper.
Hazy reddish-orange, some rising bubbles. Tall white thick head, creating an uneven surface as it drops. Draperies with stalagtites dropping from them form the lacing.
Taste does contain the wheat and spice, but the cherry is more to the front than in the aroma. The cherries are very slightly tart, but mostly sweet. No bitterness. Actually, quite delicious.
Feel is light to medium with nothing from the carbonation.
The sweetness is pretty much gone by the finish, leaving it mostly dry and slightly tart.
Very enjoyable and refreshing. Excellent tart cherry taste.
Aug 25, 2019Hazy reddish-orange, some rising bubbles. Tall white thick head, creating an uneven surface as it drops. Draperies with stalagtites dropping from them form the lacing.
Taste does contain the wheat and spice, but the cherry is more to the front than in the aroma. The cherries are very slightly tart, but mostly sweet. No bitterness. Actually, quite delicious.
Feel is light to medium with nothing from the carbonation.
The sweetness is pretty much gone by the finish, leaving it mostly dry and slightly tart.
Very enjoyable and refreshing. Excellent tart cherry taste.
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