Christmas Ale (-2016)
Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store

Christmas Ale (-2016)Christmas Ale (-2016)
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From:
Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store
 
Michigan, United States
Style:
Scottish Ale
ABV:
7.5%
Score:
81
Avg:
3.58 | pDev: 12.85%
Reviews:
550
Ratings:
1,783
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Dec 02, 2023
Added:
Nov 06, 2008
Wants:
  55
Gots:
  309
The basic inspiration for Bell's Christmas Ale was to create a sessionable holiday beer, using locally grown malt, which would stand apart from the array of spiced winter warmers that are typically introduced this time of year. In contrast to many other seasonals, Christmas Ale doesn't contain any spices: all of the dry, toasted notes & subtle toffee flavors come from the Michigan-grown barley, custom malted by Briess Malting, while a blend of hops from Michigan & the Pacific Northwest lend earthy, herbal aromas
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by WVbeergeek:
Photo of WVbeergeek
Reviewed by WVbeergeek from West Virginia

4.03/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appears a glowing orange amber hue when held toward the light, I guess this one has some hops from and barley grown in Michigan, how cool dude! Large thicket of off white head looks delicioso while staring at my full frothing pint in front of me, lacing is left in thick chunks between sips.

Aroma is pretty clean with citrus pine and a mild spicy characteristic that is hard to pin point. Mild mint and herbal tones with caramel malts backing the party. Not in my face christmas just a nice table ale with nuances of the festive season bring more on soon please, this was a 1.89 a bottle not bad. A nice yeast driven bread like note goes on and on in this brew, an easy to fall in love with characteristic in this substance some call liquid bread.

Flavor is subtle with herbal, pine, mint, and citrus pith. A solid team of effervescent carbonation, semi sweet malt that has a great slice bread appeal with a peppery biscuit finish. Mild tart tang the yeast unfiltered Bell's offering provides warmth and sustenance in the winter months. I love the label the beer the brewery, what a trifecta.

Mouthfeel is solid slightly textured with hop oils and mild spice bitterness, this carbonation level just works sturdy yet natural. The semi hazed unfiltered approach adds a bit much more body than your average low alcohol Christmas ale just like artisan bread.

Drinkability is delivering this beer will be searched out for, I'm in love while the limited release we need to get some down here in Steubenville, I picked this one up in Boardman. Last year it hit Pittsburgh but I missed it sold out everywhere quickly.
Dec 12, 2009
More User Ratings:
Photo of Braunmeister_1943
Reviewed by Braunmeister_1943 from Pennsylvania

4.01/5  rDev +12%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Purchased as part of a “build your own “ 6 pack from Wegmans.

Pours a dark amber with a very fine creamy head. Sweet dried fruit aroma with a very subtle hint of spice. Fruity caramel flavor with very delicate carbonation. Overall , this is a very enjoyable beer!
Dec 02, 2023
Photo of NateTrooper7
Rated by NateTrooper7 from Michigan

3.85/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Kzoo
May 05, 2023
 
Rated: 3.93 by PaulSlazinger from Pennsylvania

Dec 16, 2022
Photo of vainosuomi
Reviewed by vainosuomi from Virginia

3.46/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
L: Dark reddish brown, creamy head
S: Brown sugar, molasses, toasted bread
T: Same sweet toasted malts. Feels a bit underdeveloped.
F: Medium body and carbonation and a bit warm

It's decent.
Feb 16, 2022
 
Rated: 3.65 by Thanatosbat777 from Georgia

Jan 29, 2022
Photo of DaveMaciolek21
Reviewed by DaveMaciolek21 from New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Copper-colored pour with a minimal, fast-disappearing head. Considered a "winter warmer" type of Scotch Ale, but I wouldn't categorize it that way since there are no spices present. Instead, a slightly less than robust flavor profile with caramel and toffee as your primary takeaway. It's a nice, friendly malty Christmas hug from Bell's.
Dec 25, 2021
 
Rated: 3.88 by Argail from Louisiana

Dec 23, 2021
 
Rated: 3.48 by KLHBB from Arkansas

Dec 05, 2021
Photo of JackpineSavage
Reviewed by JackpineSavage from Michigan

3.83/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dark brown opaque, head wasn't too big and went away fairly fast, lace is hanging in there.
Good Scottish Ale but not Great!
No real outstanding notes but easy going and a smooth drink.
This was in a Bell's Variety Christmas 12 pack.
Dec 03, 2021
 
Rated: 3.67 by HisMaltiness from Virginia

Apr 06, 2021
Photo of Reef
Reviewed by Reef from South Carolina

3.67/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
12 oz. Bottle dated 10/20/2020

Amber with half inch tan head
Bready, caramel aromas
Light peat, bitter herbal hopping, dark malt, ginger, brown bread, raisin, nutty flavors
Medium feel, good carbonation
Lots of flavor for the ABV
Dec 28, 2020
 
Rated: 4 by mmilyko from Nevada

Nov 28, 2020
 
Rated: 3.92 by ummswimmin from New Jersey

Nov 20, 2020
 
Rated: 3.98 by sjones5045 from Pennsylvania

Nov 07, 2020
 
Rated: 4.39 by evanwoertz from California

Oct 21, 2020
Photo of jmc65267
Reviewed by jmc65267 from Georgia

3.96/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Got it in a variety pack and I was pleased with the experience. The smell and taste are definitely it’s strong points. Given the opportunity I would definitely buy again.
Jan 14, 2020
 
Rated: 3.44 by VTbrewfan from New Hampshire

Dec 23, 2019
 
Rated: 3.54 by DonBowman from Pennsylvania

Dec 29, 2018
 
Rated: 3.62 by Wizzman from Massachusetts

Dec 24, 2018
Christmas Ale (-2016) from Bell's Brewery - Eccentric Café & General Store
Beer rating: 81 out of 100 with 1783 ratings